Book Review: Diamond Willow by Helen Frost

1.     BIBLIOGRAPHY

Frost, Helen. Diamond Willow. New York: Square Fish, 2011. ISBN: 0312603835.

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

This cunningly written novel in verse tells the story of Diamond Willow, (more often called Willow) a twelve-year-old Alaskan girl who is coming to terms with who she is through her love of her sled dogs. In the course of the story, Willow convinces her parents to let her take the dog team and sled to her grandparent’s house on her first solo trip. The trip there went so smoothly that Willow became a little too sure of herself on the return. She rounded a corner too fast and couldn’t stop in time to avoid a tree that had fallen across the path. As a result, the lead dog, Roxy, was blinded. For the remainder of the story, Diamond Willow fights to save Roxy’s life, and understand her own. Along the way, her deceased relatives, now in the forms of forest animals, try their best to help her.

3.     CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In Diamond Willow, Helen Frost does and admirable job of capturing the emotion of her heroine. Each page is a new vignette written in the shape of a diamond. Each poem has a message hidden inside of the larger poem. It is these one-sentence messages that most capture Willow’s emotions and show the reader who she is. The clever technique of telling a story within the story makes it possible for the reader to become more intimately acquainted with the heroine.

The language of the poetry is simple and easy to follow. It lends itself well to the crisp, cold world where Willow has to face her fears and her mistakes.

The cultural markers in this book are cleverly woven into the story. At each juncture of the story, Willow’s ancestors, who take the shapes of animals she encounters, support her. For example, her great-grandfather, a mouse, helps Diamond Willow take notice of the appointment for Roxy’s euthanasia. The sister of Willow’s great grandfather is another dog in the team, Cora. It is Cora that leads Willow to the place where she finally learns the full story of her name. These bits of culture and local traditions make the story not only believable, but also more intriguing.

By the end of the book, the reader will weep with Willow and laugh with Willow and rejoice with her as well.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

BOOKLIST: “Set in a remote part of Alaska, this story in easy-to-read verse blends exciting survival adventure with a contemporary girl’s discovery of family roots and secrets.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “[Willow’s] poems offer pensive imagery and glimpses of character, and strong emotion. This complex and elegant novel will resonate with readers who savor powerful drama and multifaceted characters.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “This complex and elegant novel will resonate with readers who savor powerful drama and multifaceted characters.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*Diamond Willow could easily be used to explore coming-of-age stories in conjunction with other novels in verse.

*Novels in verse that are also coming-of-age stories:

Hesse, Karen. OUT OF THE DUST. ISBN: 0590371258.

Sones, Sonya. STOP PRETENDING: WHAT HAPPENED WHEN MY BIG SISTER WENT CRAZY. ISBN: 0064462188.

Wolff, Virgina, Euwer. MAKING LEMONADE. ISBN: 0805080708.

Book Review: Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors by Joyce Sidman. Illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski.

1.    BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sidman, Joyce, and Pamela Zagarenski. Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2009. ISBN: 0803729251.

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Joyce Sidman takes her readers through a colorful, year-long journey. Each season features descriptions of the earth in color, but the colors change with the passing seasons. In Spring, yellow is the color of goldfinches, but in summer it melts over everything and tastes like salt. In Fall, yellow is the color of school buses, but in winter, there is no yellow anywhere. Browns, greens, purples, blues, whites, blacks, oranges, and pinks are all depicted in this colorful story with fanciful illustrations.

3.     CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Red sings from the Treetops is Sidman’s expression of the transformation of the world with each new season. She carefully chooses colors that match events of the season. In Spring, flowers bloom and birds hatch. In Summer, the lake is deep blue and the evenings are long and purple. Fall finds browns and oranges in abundance while Winter is full of whites and blacks. The language of the poems is very beautiful and full of imagery: “In Spring, even the rain tastes green.” Pup, the narrator’s dog, is also featured throughout the poetry, as well as the illustrations. The rhythm of the prose is irregular, which helps depict the change of color well.

Zagarenski’s illustrations are each a carefully crafted collage. Her colorful character dances through the pages with a crown on her head. Pup follows along, also wearing a crown. In fact, crowns are something to look for throughout the illustrations as they show up in interesting places in every picture. Kids will have fun noticing who or what is wearing crowns in each collage. For that matter, the illustrations are rife with interesting details. There is a whale in the night sky of Fall, for example, but he blends in so well that it feels as though there should always be whales in the night sky.

Zagarenski’s illustrations are highly textured and very colorful. Even when they are fanciful, they are fascinating. The redbirds released in the first picture, fly through the book and turn up again and again. The small fox, almost unnoticed, trails along as well. The pictures are so detailed and so interesting that they are bound to captivate everyone. In fact, the illustrations are what really make this book fascinating.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Caldecott Honor Book

Starred Review, BOOKLIST: “As the title implies, the colors that surprise on every page, do sing.”

Starred Review, THE HORN BOOK: “Sustaining the playfulness of the text and its sense of awe, mystery, and beauty, the illustrations contribute gracefully to the celebration.”

Starred Review, KIRKUS: “A charming inspiration to notice colors and correlate emotions.”

5. CONNECTIONS

* Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors would be a fun book to use in a study of different illustration techniques.

*Some more picture books with a variety of illustration techniques:

Henkes, Kevin. Kitten's First Full Moon. [New York]: Greenwillow Books, 2004. ISBN: 0060588284.

Hill, Laban Carrick., and Bryan Collier. Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave. New York: Little, Brown, 2010. ISBN: 031610731X.

Millen, C. M., and Andrea Wisnewski. The Ink Garden of Brother Theophane. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge, 2010. ISBN: 1580891799.

Sidman, Joyce, and Beth Krommes. Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2011. ISBN: 054731583X.

Willems, Mo. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. New York: Hyperion Books for Children, 2003.ISBN: 078681988X.

Book Review: Heroes and She-roes: Poems of Amazing and Everyday Heroes by J. Patrick Lewis. Illustrated by Jim Cooke.

1.     BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lewis, J. Patrick., and Jim Cooke. Heroes and She-roes: Poems of Amazing and Everyday Heroes. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2005. ISBN: 0803729251.

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Heroes and She-roes is a collection of poetry about ordinary people such as a second-grade teacher, and renowned heroes such as Gandhi. Lewis’ simple poems are accompanied by a short biographical paragraph about the person depicted in each poem. Cooke’s pictures are as bold as the heroes they represent with vivid colors and strong definition. Students of all ages can find a hero within the pages of this book.

3.     CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The poems in Lewis’ book are interesting and often witty. They capture the essence of lifetimes and the meaning of lives. The language of the poems is simple, and the rhyming structure is sometimes imperfect, but the poems still read well. It is also intriguing to see who Lewis chose as his heroes and she-roes. It is no surprise to find Rosa Parks and a firefighter during the 9/11 attacks. Less expected, though, are people like Lady Godiva, the Little Angel of Columbia, and Rosie the Riveter. Even very common people are included: a teacher, a nun, and a journalist are examples. The diverse array of heroes ensures that each reader will find one to relate to, and who speaks to him or her individually, on an emotional level.

Cooke’s illustrations are real to life. The pictures of Gandhi and Martin Luther King are easily recognized. The bright oil paints and bold lines work well as a medium to depict strong personalities.

This book is a very quick read, which is perfect, as it is one that the reader will want to read more than once. Often the poems need a second going-over so that the message of the passages can be fully appreciated. This is a book that gets better with repetition.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

BOOKLIST: “Both the famous and the unknown are celebrated in the 21 rhyming poems in this collection, which is illustrated with full-page, smiling oil portraits. Helen Keller, Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi, and Rosa Parks are here, and so is the Pakistani child laborer and martyr, Iqbal Masih. The book also pays tribute to ordinary subjects such as "The Elementary School Teacher," "The Firefighter," and even to a wonder dog in Alaska. There's also an outrageous Lady Godiva, nude on horseback (private parts covered). The verse is undistinguished, and the rhyme is sometimes forced. This is an entertaining collection, however, and a brief biographical note about each subject included with each supplies a few additional, interesting details.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “[A]n important title that will inspire young people and perhaps encourage them.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*Heroes and She-roes would be a good introduction to poetry about other famous figures and events throughout history.

*Some more poetry collections that delve into history:

Hopkins, Lee Bennett. HAND IN HAND: AN AMERICAN HISTORY THROUGH POETRY. ISBN: 067173315X.

Hopkins, Lee Bennett. LIVES: POEMS ABOUT FAMOUS AMERICANS. ISBN: 006027767X.

Meltzer, Milton. HOUR OF FREEDOM:AMERICAN HISTORY IN POETRY. ISBN: 1590780213.

Book Review: THE THREE PIGS by David Wiesner

 1.     BIBLIOGRAPHY

Wiesner, David. The Three Pigs. New York: Clarion Books, 2001. ISBN: 0618007016.

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

The tale of The Three Pigs begins as one would expect, but that doesn’t last for long…the pigs keep escaping from the story! The first one is blown right out of the story by the wolf. The second and third pigs are aided in escape from the wolf – and the story ­– by the first pig. From there, the tale takes several unexpected turns as the pigs explore a world of fairytales and other stories, and intertwine them with their own.

3.     CRITICAL ANALYSIS

David Wiesner’s version of the three little pigs is definitely a fractured fairytale! Wiesner takes a classic tale, The Three Little Pigs, and parodies it in several ways. The pigs’ escape from the story is the first parody. The wolf is left bewildered when he blows the first two houses down and then can’t find the pigs. The second parody comes as the pigs visit other stories to see what is happening. They weren’t much interested in Mother Goose’s rhyme, Hey Diddle Diddle, but they did spend significant time with the dragon in danger of being slain for the golden rose he guarded. The pigs helped the dragon escape his story, too, parodying not only their own story, but the dragon’s as well. This combination of fairy tales and nursery rhymes suits the genre of fractured fairy tales well.

On the other hand, to get the most from the story, the reader will need to be familiar with a wide range of fairy tales and other stories. The story of this particular dragon is perhaps not as well know by young readers so they may not fully grasp why the pigs would want to save him. Even Mother Goose is less well-known as she once was. Without these foundations in literature, this version of The Three Little Pigs will have less impact on readers.

The illustrations in The Three Pigs are perhaps the most interesting part of the book. An astute reader will recognize many of the illustrations from other fairy tales and stories. Some are easy to identify, such as Jack and the Beanstalk, but others will test even the most widely read reader. It is fun to play with the unconventional sense of illustration that Wiesner uses.

Despite the intriguing illustrations, and interplay between tales, this book has a few drawbacks. The story is a little hard to follow. It really leaves a lot to the imagination at times, which feels confusing and unsettling since the story elements seem largely unconnected. For example, the beginning pages say the wolf eats the pigs, but then you find the pigs being blown off the page. Well, which is it? Which part of the story is to be believed? There are also several pages with no text, and two that are completely blank. Perhaps meant to heighten the suspense, instead they create an unnecessary interruption in the story’s flow.

Overall, this is an interesting book, if you can look past some of the unconventional methods used by Wiesner. If you are a tremendous fan of fractured fairy tales, this might be right up your alley.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

2002 Caldecott Medal Winner

Starred Review, BOOK LIST: “Wiesner has created a funny, wildly imaginative tale that encourages readers to leap beyond the familiar; to think critically about conventional stories and illustration, and perhaps, to flex their imaginations and create wonderfully subversive versions of their own stories.”

Starred Review, THE HORN BOOK: “David Wiesner's postmodern interpretation of this tale plays imaginatively with traditional picture book and story conventions and with readers' expectations of both. . . .Wiesner explores the possibility of different realities within a book's pages. . . . Wiesner may not be the first to thumb his nose at picture-book design rules and storytelling techniques, but he puts his own distinct print on this ambitious endeavor. There are lots of teaching opportunities to be mined here—or you can just dig into the creative possibilities of unconventionality.”

Starred Review, SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Children will delight in the changing perspectives...and the whole notion of the interrupted narrative...fresh and funny...Witty dialogue and physical comedy abound in this inspired retelling of a familiar favorite.”

5. CONNECTIONS

* Fractured fairytales could be introduced with The Three Pigs. Once introduced, students could read several fractured fairytales and compare ways authors change stories to give them a fresh twist.

*Some other fractured fairytales:

Cole, Babette. Prince Cinders. New York: Putnam, 1997. ISBN: 0698115546.

Jackson, Ellen B., and Kevin O'Malley. Cinder Edna. New York: Mulberry Books, 1998. ISBN: 0688162959.

Scieszka, Jon, and Lane Smith. The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales. New York, N.Y., U.S.A.: Viking, 1992. ISBN: 067084487X.

Shaskan, Trisha Speed, and Gerald Guerlais. Honestly, Red Riding Hood Was Rotten!: The Story of Little Red Riding Hood as Told by the Wolf. Mankato, MN: Picture Window Books, 2012. ISBN: 1404870466.

Yolen, Jane, and Diane Stanley. Sleeping Ugly. New York: Putnam & Grosset Group, 1997. ISBN: 0698115600.

Book Review: ANANSI AND THE TALKING MELON by Eric A. Kimmel. Illustrated by Janet Stevens.

1.     BIBLIOGRAPHY

Kimmel, Eric A., and Janet Stevens. Anansi and the Talking Melon. New York: Holiday House, 1994. ISBN: 0823411044.

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

One morning Elephant went out to work in his garden, where he was taken by surprise when one of his melons started talking to him! He thought surely a talking melon should be shown to the king, and so off he started. Along the way, the melon continued its chatter as Elephant encountered more animals. Each joined the entourage to take the melon to the king. The melon insulted the king, who hurled it away, causing the melon to burst into pieces. When the melon broke, the black spider inside was released and scurried away.

3.     CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The Elephant in this book, and Chicken Little from the book Chicken Little, would be great friends! Just like Chicken Little was confounded by the sky falling, Elephant is unable to fathom why a melon would talk. Kimmel does a great job telling the story in simple language that is easy to follow, but not forced or stilted. He also uses a great deal of dialogue, which makes the characters more personable. The final encounter with the king was a little abrupt, however. There wasn’t enough description of the encounter to make it feel complete.

As a retelling of a traditional tale, the story of Anansi lends itself well to being read aloud. It would also work well in a reader's theater setting. Kids will enjoy acting out the parts of the different animals, especially the part of the spider! As a traditional tale, though, it is hard to pinpoint exactly where the tale originates. An adult will be able to place it in Africa based on the animals depicted. A child would probably not be able to discern that. Regardless, its universal message will appeal to a wide audience.

Janet Steven’s illustrations of Anansi and the Talking Melon compliment the text perfectly. They are a little whimsical, which matches the characters’ quest to take the talking melon to the king. The animals’ expressions and body language depict their confusion and amazement well. Elephant’s ears are particularly interesting in the illustration where he first discovers the melon can talk. Kids will enjoy looking at the animals’ different expressions and actions as they travel with Elephant to the see the king.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Caldecott Medal Winner

BOOKLIST: With perfect pacing and repetition and with surprising reversals up to the very last page, this is a great choice for reading aloud and storytelling.”

KIRKUS REVIEW: “Stevens's funny animals are delightfully expressive, while Anansi's spider-level perspectives provide generous close-ups of melons, a hippo, a warthog, et al. Good-spirited tomfoolery, with storytelling that reels along with the ease of a seasoned prankster.”

Starred Review, SCHOO LIBRARY JOURNAL: “The colorful line-and-wash illustrations are filled with movement and playful energy. Stevens's anthropomorphic animals are both expressive and endearing. A surefire hit.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*Trickster tales are always favorites with children. Anansi and the Talking Melon would serve well as one of several to study this genre. 

*Other trickster tales:

Aardema, Verna. WHY MOSQUITOES BUZZ IN PEOPLE’S EARS: A WEST AFRICAN TALE. ISBN: 0140549056

McDermott, Gerald. JABUTI THE TORTOISE: A TRICKSTER TALE FROM THE AMAZON. ISBN 0152053743

McDermott, Gerald. RAVEN: A TRICKSTER TALE FROM THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. ISBN 0152024492

Book Review: SWAMP ANGEL by Anne Isaacs. Illustrated by Paul O. Selinsky.

1.     BIBLIOGRAPHY

Isaacs, Anne, and Paul O. Zelinsky. Swamp Angel. New York, NY: Puffin Books, 2000. ISBN: 0140559086.

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Born in the backwoods of Tennessee, Angelica Longrider, was an ordinary baby, if a little big. She could barely climb a tree and took two years before she built her first log cabin. But like all babies do, Angelica grew up. And up, and up. By the time she was fully grown she would have given Paul Bunyan a run for his money, but Angelica was too busy helping people to hunt up Paul. She earned her nickname of Swamp Angel by rescuing a wagon train stranded in Dejection Swamp. It wasn’t until she met Thundering Tarnation, though, that Swamp Angel really earned her nickname. With a bear as big as Babe, Bunyan’s ox, to contend with, Angelica spent some rough moments rassling and tumbling before she conquered her foe. As a tall tale, Swamp Angel is a fresh breath amidst the old favorites.

3.     CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Isaacs' Swamp Angel is written with a distinctive southern twang. Words and phrases like tarnation, mighty scarce, much obliged, varmit, and confound it make it possible for the reader to imagine him- or herself in a log cabin nestled among the trees of the Great Smoky Mountains. Yet there is also sophisticated vocabulary that will challenge young readers as well. Words like pelt and commenced may need some explanation so that younger readers can fully grasp the story. Overall, the story is well-written and fast-paced. It is easy to become a part of the tall tale as you read it.

The illustrations in Swamp Angel are also well done. Zelinsky frames each illustration against a backdrop of polished wood, which fits the story perfectly. His frames are outlined with a bold, thick line making them feel almost like snapshots of the action. Occasionally the frame of the picture is broken by action outside of the main scene, which makes the illustrations that much more captivating. For example, in one illustration, the bear is climbing over the boundary of the illustration into the action. Zelinsky has captured the essence of the story exceptionally well.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Caldecott Honor Book

Starred Review, BOOKLIST: “Isaacs tells her original story with the glorious exaggeration and uproarious farce of the traditional tall tale and with its typical laconic idiom. You just can't help reading it aloud. . . Zelinsky's detailed oil paintings in folk-art style are exquisite, framed in cherry, maple, and birch wood grains. They are also hilarious, making brilliant use of perspective to extend the mischief and the droll understatement.”

PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: “Zelinsky's (Rumpelstiltskin) stunning American-primitive oil paintings, set against an unusual background of cherry, maple and birch veneers, frankly steal the show here. Their success, however, does not diminish the accomplishment of Isaacs, whose feisty tall tale marks an impressive picture-book debut.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “A master of composition, [Zelinsky] varies readers' perspectives by framing the portrait of the newborn and, later, the series of male hunters with small ovals. He uses double-page lunettes to depict the massive bear and woman sprawled across the pages, and places the menacing beast lunging over the frame in another memorable scene. The pictures and words cavort across the page in perfect synchronization, revealing the heroine's feisty solution. Buy for a great guffaw in small groups or one-on-one. It's an American classic in the making.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*Swamp Angel would make a great introduction to tall tales! It would segue well into some of the old favorites as well as newer ones as well.  

*Other tall tales:

Aliki. THE STORY OF JOHNNY APPLESEED. ISBN: 0671667467.

Kellogg, Steven. PECOS BILL. ISBN 0688099246.

Lester, Julius. JOHN HENRY. ISBN: 0140566228.

Book Review: ECO-WOLD AND THE THREE PIGS by Laurence Anholt and Arthur Robins

1.     BIBLIOGRAPHY

Anholt, Laurence, and Arthur Robins. Eco-Wolf and the Three Pigs. Minneapolis, MN: Compass Point Books, 2004. ISBN: 0756506301.

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

In this environmental spin-off of the traditional tale of The Three Little Pigs, the wolf, a peace-loving, eco-friendly hippie, is the protagonist trying desperately to maintain the pristine and unspoiled valley where he lives surrounded by fresh air, flowers, and friendly animals. He spends his time trying to invent tools to help him diminish his environmental footprint and improve his valley at the same time. The pigs, on the other hand, are definitely NOT interested in the environment. They are very static antagonists who continually infringe on the wolf’s efforts to keep the valley green. The wolf only huffs and puffs in exasperation, but never in the presence of the pigs. Rather the birds and animals sabotage the pigs' housing, eventually persuading the pigs it isn’t financially beneficial to build in the valley.

3.     CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This story will be familiar to children because they will recognize the wolf and pigs from the more traditional tale. They will also understand the ties to preserving the environment and not destroying nature. Only the most astute children are likely to relate to the hippie elements throughout the book, however. The wolf sports beads and a peace sign and uses language from a much earlier era. These aspects of the story don’t necessarily detract from it, but may not have the effect on a child that they would have on an adult.

On the other hand, the authors’ clever role reversal of the pigs and the wolf is interesting to see unfold. The pigs first build a cottage with a satellite dish, but when the birds carry the straw away they decide to build a house with several bedrooms, a pool, a garage, and other perks. The moles destroy it from the foundation, but the pigs continue undeterred and build a high-rise apartment, a shopping mall, and a freeway. Children will be able to see the humor in the pigs' building plans and also understand, mostly through the simple illustrations, the damage these things do to the valley.

Although much of the book is cliché, the overall story is a cute take on the traditional tale. It is worth a read, if only once.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

None

5. CONNECTIONS

*This would be a good book to use in a literature unit comparing stories and styles. Students could read and compare several different versions of The Three Little Pigs and compare their similarities and differences.  

*Other versions of The Three Little Pigs:

Golden Books. THE THREE LITTLE PIGS. ISBN: 0736423125.

Pichon, Liz. THE THREE HORRID LITTLE PIGS. ISBN: 1589254236.

Scieszka, Jon. THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS. ISBN 0140544518.

Trivizas, Eugene. THE THREE LITTLE WOLVES AND THE BIG BAD PIG. ISBN: 068981528X.

Wiesner, David. THE THREE PIGS. ISBN: 0618007016.

Book Review: DAVE THE POTTER: ARTIST, POET, SLAVE by Laban Carrick Hill. Illustrated by Bryan Collier

Book Review Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave by Laban Carrick Hill. Illustrated by Bryan Collier

1.     BIBLIOGRAPHY

Hill, Laban Carrick and Bryan Collier. Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave. New York: Little, Brown, 2010. ISBN: 031610731X

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave chronicles both the life of a pot and the life of a man. Through illustrations as earthy as the clay itself, and words that are rich with imagery, the story of Dave, a slave and a gifted potter, emerge at the same time the pot on his wheel grows. Each picture makes you feel as the clay is caked on your hands and under your nails, while helping you understand the great talent and skill it took to make such amazing pottery.

3.     CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Dave was a slave in South Carolina during the days of huge plantations and no hope of freedom. However, his gift working with clay pulled him from the fields into the potter’s house where he became so skilled at making earthenware that he could make pots large enough to hold twenty gallons or more. That, as unique as it was, is not what made Dave fascinating. Rather, the poetic inscriptions Dave engraved on some of his jars and pots hold us entranced. Where did he learn to write in a time when slaves were generally forbidden? Why did he only pen verses on some of his pots? And what did his messages mean? All of this is unfolded in the story of Dave, the potter, artist, poet, and slave.

Laban Carrick Hill’s story is artfully woven around the growing pot on Dave’s wheel. “Mounded mud” and “clotted clumps of clay” are examples of alliteration Hill uses to bring to life the story of Dave and his pot. Hill’s use of simile is equally artful: “like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat” and “as fast as a carnival’s wheel of fortune” are two examples. Throughout the story, the spellbinding use of language keeps the reader entwined in the story’s threads.

Bryan Collier is also a master of his trade. The illustrations in Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave masterfully blend the text with a variety of mediums to give birth to Dave’s pot.  The collages and watercolors are so artfully done as to show the reader both what it is like to be a potter and create, from a mound of mud, a beautiful piece of art. They also serve to give the reader glimpses of life around Dave. Slaves moving clay, horses tethered to a rail, wood chopped and waiting to be burned, and farmland being planted all help depict what was going on around Dave, even as he worked the clay at his wheel. The illustrations alone tell a masterful story.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

2011 Caldecott Honor
2011 Coretta Scott King Gold Award for Illustrations

Starred Review, School Library Journal: “An inspiring story, perfectly presented....Outstanding in every way.”

BOOKLIST: The book’s quiet dignity comes from its refusal to scrutinize life as a slave; instead, it is nearly a procedural, following Dave’s mixing, kneading, spinning, shaping, and glazing. Collier’s gorgeous watercolor-and-collage illustrations recall the work of E. B. Lewis—earth-toned, infused with pride, and always catching his subjects in the most telling of poses. A beautiful introduction to a great lost artist.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*This book could be used as an introduction to the history of pottery. It would also work well as an introduction to slavery and the different jobs slaves performed. It would further serve as an opening to discussion of life on a plantation and what skills were needed to keep a plantation running well.  

*Other books about slavery for children:

Johnson, Pamela and Kamma, Anne. IF YOU LIVED WHEN THERE WAS SLAVERY IN AMERICA. ISBN: 0439567068

Nelson, Kadir. HEART AND SOUL: THE STORY OF AMERICA AND AFRICAN AMERICANS. ISBN: 0061730742