Dave the Potter Artist, Poet, Slave

Laban Carrick Hill's 'Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave' is a deeply moving and beautifully illustrated picture book biography of David Drake, an enslaved African American potter and poet from 19th-century South Carolina. Written in simple, evocative free verse, the book introduces young readers to Dave's incredible talent for shaping clay into magnificent pots, often inscribed with his own powerful poems and signature. The narrative gently explores the contrast between his enslaved status and his profound artistic freedom, highlighting his resilience and the dignity he found in his craft. Bryan Collier's award-winning watercolor and collage illustrations vividly bring Dave's world and his creative process to life, making this an excellent resource for discussing history, art, and the human spirit with children aged 4-11.

Chronicles the life of Dave, a nineteenth-century slave who went on to become an influential poet, artist, and potter.