Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave

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 ratingThis 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.

Interesting exploration of part of our history.

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."

The art in this book feels so powerfully real - taken on its own, and really absorbed, the art is engrossing in its detail and vibrancy. For a story about pottery the images of Dave's hand as he works are especially arresting. You can almost smell and feel the clay yourself in each of the images.As for how the story is told (which says nothing about what the story is based upon), there is much to be desired. There isn't really a story to be honest - a few phrases to evoke an image, but it doesn't really tell you about Dave himself. Instead, it loosely walks you through his process of creating a pot, but little beyond that. What you get for actual historical knowledge about Dave, that is reserved for a rather formal presentation at the end, which was also lacking in details that would have helped flesh out the context and significance of Dave's story (though in their defense, very little is known about Dave).

The illustrations grab your eye and the text touches your heart.

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.

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.

This is a truly amazing story.. Bryan Collier the illustrator is amazing and incredible to hear speak

A super non-fiction story for children that is beautifully illustrated.