Dave the Potter, Artist, Poet, Slave

Dave the Potter, Artist, Poet, Slave
by Laban Carrick Hill
Illustrated by Bryan Collier

2011 Caldecott Honor Book

Elementary



Dave had a special eye for seeing what things could become and an artist's touch that brought his visions to reality.  With no formal training, Dave's talents were remarkable.  Dave's life was restricted by the fact that he was a slave, but he is remembered as a potter, artist, and poet.

This book tells a beautiful story of a man whose freedom of expression was not stiffled by his physical bondage.  Laban Carrick Hill uses expressive language to tell Dave's story, and this book is another form of art.  Bryan Collier's illustrations take the reader far beyond the written words.  His water color collage images take the reader back to South Carolina in the 1800s.  The middle page of the book folds out to reveal Dave's hands shaping clay in various stages.  The book also offers historical background and photographs of Dave's pottery as well as an extensive bibliography and useful web sites.