The Foot Warmer and the Crow - Hardcover

Hezekiah, identified not as a slave but an "enslaved man," dreams of being "free like a bird." After his escape attempt is thwarted by a band of snapping dogs, Hezekiah takes a tip from a wise crow and resolves to discover the slave master's weaknesses and through them find a way to freedom. So he offers his services as a foot warmer, spending the cold winter nights under the "smelly covers" of Master Thompson's bed, listening carefully as the white man spills secrets in his sleep. When spring comes, Hezekiah knows his master's deepest fear and leaps from this knowledge to freedom. Coleman's elegantly told tale emphasizes the importance of self-respect while decrying the injustice of slavery. Debut illustrator Minter's bold art has the air of suspended animation, of deep emotion frozen and distilled until it verges on the extreme. Facial expressions are often grotesque, an odd combination of hilarity and fear, capturing the book's sadness as well as its fundamental optimism. Ages 6-up.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Grade 2-5-Hezekiah is a slave with a cruel master. He dreams of escaping his bondage and, with the help of an unlikely friend, a crow, finds a way to fulfill his dream. Agreeing to be the master's foot warmer, Hezekiah learns the man's secret fear, outwits him, and gains his freedom. With a gripping, terse narrative that is reminiscent of the stories found in the last section of Virginia Hamilton's The People Could Fly (Knopf, 1985), this is a powerful statement to the suffering of a people and their will to survive. Enhancing the text are bold, almost surreal painted wood carvings in crayon-bright colors that capture the emotions of both master and slave. The crow is a character in its own right, and the illustrations reverberate with its strong personality. A moving picture book that will leave a lasting impression in the hearts and minds of readers.
Pamela K. Bomboy, Chesterfield County Public Schools, VA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.