Dave the Potter

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Hill, Laban Carrick. 2010. Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave. Ill. by Bryan Collier. New York: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 9780316107310

PLOT SUMMARY

In Dave the Potter, Laban Hill captures the essence of Dave, a slave whose work is that of a potter. Hill’s story is two-fold: it follows the making of a pot from dirt to finished product, while allowing the reader to see Dave’s journey as an artist, poet, and slave. The author’s essay at the end of the story provides background information about Dave, his pots, and his poetry.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book is just as much author Hill’s journey, as it is Dave’s. Hill became entranced with Dave after attending a conference in 2003. His exploration into Dave and his art has allowed him to produce a masterful poetic work. The reader senses conflict on several levels throughout the story. Conflict is evident in the throwing of the pot - in the taking something from the earth and working it and shaping it into something new. Conflict is also evident in Dave’s apparent autonomy, which is not really his to have. He is a potter who reads and writes; yet he is still a slave.

This book is meant to be read aloud. It is in the spoken word that one can truly appreciate the flow and cadence of Hill’s words.

The author’s use of figurative language adds to the poetic nature of the story; however, some of the illusions may be too difficult for a young child to understand. For example, the author refers to the potter’s wheel spinning “as fast as a carnival’s wheel of fortune.”

This main body of the book leaves the reader with many questions and a desire to learn more. How did Dave learn his craft? How did he learn to read and write? Were there other slaves who were allowed to develop their artistry? Fortunately, the author has included an essay about Dave that provides some of the answers. The author also shares his journey from the time he first learned about Dave to the writing of the book.

Collier’s beautiful illustrations alone tell a story. Though the colors are almost monochromatic in some areas, they are deep and rich. Texture is evident throughout the book. It is through the illustrations that one gets a sense of time. One can see the pot as it grows beneath Dave’s hands. In many places throughout the book, the background depicts the slave’s life. In his dedication, Collier states, “…this story is really about the power of the human spirit, artistry, and truth, and that cannot be silenced by bondage of any kind.” It is this power of human spirit that Collier captures in his illustrations.

PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS

This book was not my first choice of book to read. However, it was the one I was able to find at my local library, and I feel fortunate that I was led to this book.

My initial reading of Dave the Potter was a silent read. While the text raised the questions mentioned above, it was the pictures that captured my imagination. I was struck by the beauty and strength of each one. As a person who loves texture, I loved the ‘feel’ of texture on each page.

I then took the book to school and read it to my second grade class. My preconceived notion was that this was not a book they would particularly like. I learned two things from this experience. The first is that it is in reading this book aloud that one truly experiences the beauty of the words. They are meant to be spoken. Whereas on my initial read I was taken with the illustrations, on my second, oral reading I was able to see how the words and pictures together create a balance between the spoken word and the graphics.

The second thing that I learned was to never underestimate a second-grader. You could have heard a pin drop as I was reading, in addition to the occasional “wow”. The kids loved it, and had many questions about Dave. As they examined each picture, they picked up on the texturing and the ‘layered’ look of the background. They were very observant of the details in the pictures.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Caldecott Honor Book 2011

Coretta Scott King Award 2011

School Library Journal: “Outstanding in every way.”

Booklist: “A beautiful introduction to a great lost artist.”

CONNECTIONS

Ø  This book would be an excellent choice to begin Black History Month.

Ø  For older students who are interested in learning more about Dave, Leonard Todd has written a biography of Dave entitled Carolina Clay: The Life and Legend of the Slave Potter Dave.

Ø  This book offers the opportunity to discuss couplets in poetry: using few words to say much. It could be an interesting exercise for students of all ages.

Ø  Dave the Potter could also be used to launch a unit on pottery and/or art.

Ø  Age-appropriate research skills could be taught in conjunction with this book.

Ø  This book might be a good springboard for a lesson on oral history.

Ø  Other books for Black History Month include:

Williams, Vera. A Chair for My Mother. ISBN 978-0688040741

Pinkney, Andrea & Pinkney, Brian. Bill Pickett: Rodeo Ridin Cowboy.

ISBN 978-0152021030

Ø  More books related to Black History Month can be found at http://www.readingrockets.org/articles/books/c384/