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Laban Carrick Hill
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Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave Hardcover – Picture Book, September 7, 2010

by Laban Carrick Hill (Author), Bryan Collier (Illustrator)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 136 ratings
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A Caldecott Honor
A Coretta Scott King Award Winner




An award-winning celebration of an American hero


Dave was an extraordinary artist, poet, and potter living in South Carolina in the 1800s. He combined his superb artistry with deeply observant poetry, carved onto his pots, transcending the limitations he faced as a slave. In this inspiring and lyrical portrayal, National Book Award nominee Laban Carrick Hill's elegantly simple text and award-winning artist Bryan Collier's resplendent, earth-toned illustrations tell Dave's story, a story rich in history, hope, and long-lasting beauty.
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    5 - 9 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    40 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 3
  5. Lexile measure
    AD1100L
  6. Dimensions
    11.5 x 0.5 x 9 inches
  7. Publisher
    Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
  8. Publication date
    September 7, 2010
  9. ISBN-10
    031610731X
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0316107310
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 4–The life of an astonishingly prolific and skilled potter who lived and died a slave in 19th-century South Carolina is related in simple, powerful sentences that outline the making of a pot. The movements of Dave's hands are described using familiar, solid verbs: pulling, pinching, squeezing, pounding. Rural imagery–a robin's puffed breast, a carnival wheel–remind readers of Dave's surroundings. The pithy lines themselves recall the short poems that Dave inscribed on his pots. Collier's earth-toned watercolor and collage art extends the story, showing the landscape, materials, and architecture of a South Carolina farm. Alert readers will find hidden messages in some of the collages, but what stands out in these pictures are Dave's hands and eyes, and the strength of his body, reflected in the shape and size of his legendary jars and pots. A lengthy author's note fleshes out what is known of the man's life story and reproduces several of his two-line poems. A photograph of some of Dave's surviving works cements the book's link to the present and lists of print and online resources encourage further exploration. An inspiring story, perfectly presented and sure to prompt classroom discussion and projects. Outstanding in every way.Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, MD
© Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

As a closing essay explains, little is known about the man known as Dave the potter. Two things are certain, though: he was a slave in South Carolina, and he was a potter of uncommon skill. As Hill writes, “Dave was one of only two potters at the time who could successfully make pots that were larger than twenty gallons.” He also inscribed strange, sophisticated poetry into the clay: “I wonder where / is all my relation / friendship to all— / and, every nation.” The verses Hill uses to introduce us to Dave are sometimes just as evocative: “On wet days, / heavy with rainwater, / it is cool and squishy, / mud pie heaven.” 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. Grades K-3. --Daniel Kraus

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Carter G Woodson Honor Book edition (September 7, 2010)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 40 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 031610731X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316107310
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 5 - 9 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD1100L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.03 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 11.5 x 0.5 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 136 ratings

About the author

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Laban Carrick Hill

Laban Carrick Hill

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
136 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Ginny Mapes
5.0 out of 5 stars Dave the Potter
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2011
Verified Purchase
I just purchased our book Dave the Potter. The artwork is outstanding, a great book for Black History Month.

As a potter myself and an educator, I am on the lookout for great books for children. I appreciate the dual subject matter of the potter and the slave. I am happy to see the books has been awarded honors.

I just have a few questions. I started researching after reading book to better inform myself about this man. One source says he may have lost one leg. Another slave might have kicked the wheel for him.

Here are some questions?

"clay ground in the pug mill and carried," there might have been a mill stone to grind the earth--but a pug mill adds water so I was wondering where specifically that information came from?

It would be very difficult to throw and center 60 pounds of clay. Other sources say he probably did the larger pots in sections. ( Maybe two, thirty pound parts) and the used slip and coils of clay to attach them. The book goes on, "kicking the wheel with the heel of his foot." When the potter kicks the wheel it is with the entire foot starting with the ball of the foot and rolling onto the heel. (Sort of like walking backwards.)

These were just small questions and the beauty of the book stands solid.

The illustrations are amazingly wonderful and true to life, with the added poetic touch.

Thank you for bringing awareness of this creative man to the masses. As the illustrator so beautifully put it, "this story is really about the power of the human spirit, artistry, and truth, and that cannot be silenced by bondage of any kind."
4 people found this helpful
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Linda Dix
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent research
Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2023
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The story is an important one for our day
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C. Moss
5.0 out of 5 stars An instant favorite
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2011
Verified Purchase
I originally saw this book listed in one of the "Must Have Children's list on Amazon" and it caught my eye. My father-in-law had been convinced by a friend to by a cracked clay pot at an estate auction and it turned out to be a piece of Dave's work. I had heard a little of Dave's story through my father-in-law and his friends and was eager to hear more. That the story was in a format that I could share with my daughers was an added bonus.

I'm very happy with the purchase. The story is wonderfully written. The artwork is incredibly warm and alive. The author and illustrator had done an excellent job of conveying Dave's story with a few carefully chosen words and wonderful images that feel real, but still feed the imagination and help to pull you into the story.

My children love this book and we have read it many times since its arrival. This is a wonderful addition to any child's library no matter how old the child.
4 people found this helpful
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Farrah Bear
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful artwork, beautifully written, fascinating story
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2016
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My 5 year old son absolutely loved this book. He spent the whole day after we first read it trying to build a giant pot like Dave's out of clay. I explained the concept of slavery to him as part of reading this book, but I don't think he really understands it. However, he just loved Dave's story, as did I. We also looked on the internet to learn even more about Dave's story and see more of his work after we read the book. We were also fortunate enough to meet the illustrator, Bryan Collier, at a local art museum and get the book signed. Beautiful artwork and very nicely written. Not sure it would be every 5 year old's cup of tea, though.
4 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Historical information for all ages.
Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2023
Verified Purchase
Interesting exploration of part of our history.
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Kathrine A. Neilsen
5.0 out of 5 stars This man work has survived and is displayed in a number of museums.
Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2022
Verified Purchase
The illustrations grab your eye and the text touches your heart.
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zak
4.0 out of 5 stars Student Review!
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2023
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I teach 8th Grade English and I asked my students to review picture books related to slavery in the USA as part of our unit on “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave.” The following review was written by some of my students.

3.5/5 star rating
This book truly demonstrates the perseverance of enslaved people. This story shows us a little window into the life of Dave, who was a real person that endured slavery. It’s about how the dirt on his plantation might just be “gritty grains” but to him, when mixed with water, was clay. How everyday he would wheelbarrow the lumps of mud and mix it with water until it became wet and stiff. Only then he would start making the magnificent jars with some of them having poems, or inscriptions showing he was there and he existed. In addition to the images that will really pull you into the story. Where one will pull out to reveal the process of how the lump of clay turned into a tremendous jar. Furthermore, at the end the book has a more deep informational insight into his life and where to find the remaining jars and pots that he made.
On page 11, it says “He threw the clay, sometimes sixty pounds at once, and nobody knew how or where it would land except for Dave.” Showing that Dave was strong and he loves what he does. Dave is willing to put in so much effort into his passion unlike others. The picture on page 12 shows Dave throwing the clay and molding it so that he could make pottery out of it. The author and illustrator of this book did an amazing job of showing the reader what Dave was doing and why he wanted to do it.
We would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a more mild story about slavery. This book is not too intense but it holds a great message and story line.
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C. Harris
5.0 out of 5 stars My students and I love this book!
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2013
Verified Purchase
Very simple, straight-forward story with beautiful, realistic paintings. I read it with 5th grade students, but would be appropriate for students in primary grades, too. It sparked a great discussions about African-Americans' contributions, slavery and its' lingering effects, and how we learn about the past.

Really great book for students up to a 6th grade level for a variety of themes/skills. Also a great way to engage students in biography if they are new to the genre.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Jane Austen
5.0 out of 5 stars Super Non-Fiction
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 5, 2015
Verified Purchase
A super non-fiction story for children that is beautifully illustrated.
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