Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Hill, Laban Carrick. 2010. Dave the potter: Artist, poet, slave. Ill. by Bryan Collier. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 9780316107310

PLOT SUMMARY

Dave, a real historical figure, expressed himself through a unique combination of hobbies—pottery and poetry. Readers travel with the slave through the creation of a masterpiece, beginning with what many see as only dust and mud. Dave sees these as another opportunity to showcase his artistry. The reader watches Dave mix clay and water, throw and spin it on the potter’s wheel until a jar appears. Dave demonstrates how to mount the clay coils along the edge of the pot before mixing and applying the glaze. Finally, Dave etches a verse on the side of the jar, making it complete.

Author Laban Carrick Hill and illustrator Bryan Collier utilize their understanding of Dave’s life as a poet and potter to share his extraordinary gift with readers. Their research gives readers a glimpse into a non-traditional view of slavery—one in which an enslaved man’s talent is not squelched for fear of rebellion. Dave’s poems—errors included—allow readers to envision his thoughts, feelings, and philosophies as he made his many pots and jars.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

While relatively little information is known about Dave, the author providse a significantly detailed look into the life of Dave—who had no last name. Hill offers examples of Dave’s poems in the section of the book called “Dave: A Life”. These short verses give insight into Dave’s world—his owner, his beliefs, his friends, and even his jars. Dave proved to be hard working and an expert artist as seen in phrases like “His chapped thumbs pinched into the center…” and “nobody how or where it would land except for Dave”.

The reader flows through the jar-making process with smooth, lyrical movement, free from pages crowded with text. Rather, Hill makes good use of the language—quickly expressing Dave’s actions before moving to the next step in the process.

Hill’s text briefly indicates Dave’s slave status nearly two hundred years ago. Apart from this instance, the reader must rely on Collier’s magnificent illustrations to envision the setting—rural regions, field workers, and archaic tools. Stunningly crafted with a combination of watercolor and collage, Collier’s illustrations had this reader examining each picture multiple times, convinced the images were truly photographs. Collier’s realistic detail almost negates the need for including actual photographs of Dave’s jars.

The highlight of Collier’s illustrations comes in the foldout page, which portrays the shapes the clay takes as Dave molds it into his perfect formation. The detail incorporated into the images exhibits the transformation clay takes as it is being expertly crafted. Collier’s graphics complement the rhythm of Hill’s words. Hill’s description of the jar’s edges puffing up like a robin’s breast is cleverly matched with Collier’s image showing the increase in size as Dave carefully works the wheel.

Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave examines a rich talent had by a man who, at that time in history, was viewed as an inferior being. While touching on his position as a slave, Hill does not, as in more traditional stories, promote the supremacy or inferiority of any ethnic group. Instead, Hill uses the factual details of Dave’s life to garner an understanding of how one man formed a life during a dismal period in our nation’s history.

PERSONAL RESPONSE

I absolutely love this book for several reasons. While the text and illustrations fully complement one another, each could stand independently. Hill’s rhythmic flow of words so eloquently describe the scenes that the reader can easily imagine the events through Hill’s imagery. Collier’s artwork tells the same story without the need for text. Emergent readers can enjoy Dave’s story even if all they only able to read the pictures.

At the “end” of the story begins another story: the known historical account of Dave’s life. Rather than ending Dave’s story with the completion of a jar, the author includes pieces of information giving more details about Dave’s life. I gained more insight into who Dave was, his thoughts, and memorable events.

The author’s and illustrator’s notes interested me because I enjoy knowing how authors and illustrators gain knowledge and awareness about their subject. I find it fascinating that this book began at a conference and was inspired by an antiques television show. Knowing the research Collier conducted in order to educate himself about Dave and South Carolinian pottery makes the life-like illustrations more credible. This book was not just thrown together with a few facts about a mysterious historical figure. The creators studied up and became experts on Dave, the artist, poet, and slave.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS

Caldecott Medal Honor Book, 2011

Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Book, 2011

Best Lists: New York Public Library Children’s Lists 2010

ALA ALSC Notable Children’s Books, 2010

Starred review School Library Journal, August 2010:

 “An inspiring story, perfectly presented and sure to prompt classroom discussion and projects. Outstanding in every way.”

Childhood Education, 2011:

“This biography of Dave, written as a poem, is highlighted by the beautifully collaged and richly painted illustrations. Author and illustrator notes add to the life of a man who could have easily been forgotten.”

CONNECTIONS

Related Materials

Book

Todd, Leonard. 2008. Carolina Clay: The Life and Legend of the Slave Potter Dave. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company. ISBN 9780393058567

Websites

Visit http://leonardtodd.com/ for more information about Carolina Clay, Dave’s life, pots, and poems.

Visit http://www.digitaltraditions.net/html/D_resources.cfm for an Educator’s Guide to use with Dave the Potter. This resource includes art lesson plans, a potter making how-to, and traditions involving pottery and poetry.

Activities


Use modeling clay to make mini-jars. Write a short poem to etch on the sides.

Include the use of this book as a study into the skills of slaves in American history.