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Title: Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave
Author: Laban Carrick Hill
Illustrator: Bryan Collier
Copyright Year: 2010
Awards: Caldecott Honor (2011), Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award (2011)

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Read-Aloud Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBaSlaQAVBU

Diversity Rationale:
I chose Dave the Potter because it tells the true story of an enslaved African American man who used art and poetry to express his thoughts and identity. This book shows diversity by honoring Black history and creativity. It helps students learn about the strength, talent, and resilience of people who faced injustice but still created beauty and meaning through their work.

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Story Elements

Characters:

Dave (the potter and poet)

The enslavers and other workers on the plantation

Setting (Where & When):
South Carolina in the 1800s, on a plantation where Dave worked in a pottery shop.

Problem:
Dave was enslaved and not allowed to live freely, but he wanted to express himself and leave a mark on the world.

Events:

Dave makes large clay pots by hand.

As he works, he carves short poems and messages into the clay.

His art becomes a way to show his talent and inner voice, even though he isn’t free.

The narrator describes how powerful and creative Dave’s work is.

Solution:
Dave continues to create beautiful pots with inspiring words, showing that his spirit and creativity cannot be taken away.

Theme:
Art and words can give people power, hope, and a voice, even in the hardest times.

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SWBSTF Summary

Somebody: Dave, an enslaved man,
Wanted: to create art and express himself through pottery,
But: he lived under slavery and had little freedom,
So: he made beautiful clay pots and wrote poems on them,
Then: his work became a symbol of strength and creativity,
Finally: the theme is that creativity and self-expression can survive even when life is unfair.

Summary Paragraph:
Dave was an enslaved man who worked as a potter in South Carolina. He wanted to express himself, even though he had no freedom. So, he made strong, beautiful clay pots and carved poems into them. His art showed that creativity can’t be silenced. The story teaches us that even in hard times, people can find ways to share their voice and inspire others.

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Right There (Literal):
Q: What did Dave make with his hands?
A: He made large clay pots.

Think and Search (Literal Comprehension):
Q: How did Dave show his creativity through his work?
A: He carved poems and sayings into the pots he made.

Author and Me (Inferential Comprehension):
Q: Why do you think the author wanted to tell Dave’s story?
A: To show that even people who were enslaved had talent, hope, and a powerful voice that deserves to be remembered.

On My Own (Evaluative Comprehension):
Q: What is something creative you can do to express yourself when you feel strong emotions?
A: I could draw, write a poem, or make something with my hands to show how I feel.

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Dave:

Creative – He made large, detailed clay pots and wrote poems on them, showing his imagination.

Determined – Even though he was enslaved, he kept creating art and sharing his words, proving his strength and persistence.

Bryan Collier’s Portrayal (through illustrations):

Powerful – The illustrations show Dave as strong and focused while shaping the clay.

Thoughtful – His face looks peaceful and deep in thought as he writes his poems, showing his inner world.