Knockin' on Wood: Starring Peg Leg Bates

by Lynne Barasch

Presents a picture book biography of Clayton "Peg Leg" Bates, an African American who lost his leg in a factory accident at the age of twelve and went on to become a world-famous tap dancer.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, History, Nonfiction, African American, Disability, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2004

About the author

Lynne Barasch was born in New York City and grew up in Woodmere, Long Island. She attended Rhode Island School of Design and holds a B.F.A. from Parsons School of Design. She lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knockin’ on one: Starring Peg Leg Bates by Lynne Barasch (1907-1998) Children’s Illustrated Colour non-fiction Motivational Picture Book- The book narrates the story of Afro- American Clayton Bates was born in 1907 in South Carolina. His parents worked as sharecropper in cotton farm. Clayton loved to dance. He danced at a barber’s shop where all people appreciated his dancing skill. At the age of 12-years he was made to work in a mill. His leg was stuck in a machine. His leg had to be removed by a doctor who arrived in his house and operated him on a kitchen table. Blacks were not allowed to enter a hospital which were reserved for the white population. After recovering, Clayton pursued his dancing dreams, and took on the "Peg Leg bates" identity. Despite poverty, what for some might have been a handicap, and the prevailing racism of his day, Pegs made a living dancing (on the Ed Sullivan show, among other venues) and kept a positive outlook on life. Being black, Clayton was not offered food in white dance programmes. Therefore, he opened a resort on Catskill Hill, New York where food was available for all. Message- this book motivates people to face difficult situations with courage and try to succeed. I have read this book in Hindi language. Coloured sketches help the reader to relate to the story of young Clayton.

[Kristi Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very inspiring story about a boy who loved to dance but one day had an accident at a cotton factory. His mom thought that God had betrayed them but when her son learned to walk again and eventually dance, she realizes it was all meant to be. I think kids would love to hear about how someone wouldn't let a disability stop him from his dream!

[Queer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A favorite of mine about one of my all time heroes.

[Jacquelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Biography Reading level: Ages 6-9
Vaudeville was old when today’s children’s grandparents were young. Tap dancing may be an art with which many are not familiar. That makes a biography like this one so important. Knockin’ on Wood was written for a young child’s first foray into real stories about real people. The reader will learn about Clayton “Peg Leg” Bates, his mother, and his dreams of dancing for a living. The oil and watercolor drawings let us see his farm, his lifestyle, and the resort he built. The audience is also gifted with insights into the struggles he faced as a black, disabled man in a time period without many civil rights. This book, nominated for several awards, is written in picture book style. The somewhat primitive illustrations lend a comfortable, friendly air to sometimes-uncomfortable situations and settings. The final page gifts the reader with a photograph of this famous dancer and biographical information that indicates Peg Leg Bates danced through life to the ripe old age of 91!
Other picture book style biographies:
George Washington's teeth, Deborah Chandra
Johnny Appleseed, Patricia Demuth & Michael Montgomery
A picture book of George Washington Carver, David A. Adler

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Life means, do the best you can with what you've got, with all your mind and heart. You can do anything in this world if you want to do it bad enough," Clayton Bates

Peg Leg Bates was an incredible man with a very inspirational story on many levels. This book is as much about racism as it is about this wonderful man. No author's notes.

From the book: "Clayton's mama was a sharecropper, raising cotton on a white man's land for less than she deserved. She had to accept the white landowner's payment whether it was fair or not."

I look forward to others writing about this incredible man.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's South Carolina 1919. Clayton Bates, a 12 year old boy, begs his mom to allow him to work at a dangerous place. Three days after she allows him to go (after praying to God about it), he has an accident and his leg needs to be removed. Clayton has always loved to dance. Did his mom make a mistake by allowing him to work there? Would he be able to dance again?

Clayton is black, living in the early 1900s. Racial undertones definitely define his life and are not shied away from in this picture book biography. However, nothing can stop this guy. He makes a career out of tap dancing, becoming a master at his work. He is in movies and dances for royalty. Fascinating story.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great picture book bio of someone I knew nothing about--Clayton, a sharecropper's son who loved to dance, then lost a leg when he was 12 in a mill accident. Clayton pursued his dancing dreams, and took on the "Peg Leg bates" identity. Despite poverty, what for some might have been a handicap, and the prevailing racism of his day, Pegs made a living dancing (on the Ed Sullivan show, among other venues) and kept a positive outlook on life.

This would be a great read-aloud paired with one of the numerous Youtube videos that show his skill, such as https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hayM4...).

Illustrations and words go well together, and will inspire readers.

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated look at the life of "Peg Leg" Bates, an African American tap dancing legend. He lost his leg in a mill accident when he was 12 but didn't let his physical disability get in the way of his love of dance. He overcame obstacles in a time of racial segregation, and changed the meaning of the love of dance. An insiprational read for anyone who has ever danced, and those who did not let something stand in the way of their dreams.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars This is a great story! A true story! Clayton Bates AKA PEG LEG BATES...son of Sharecroppers loses his leg as a boy in a cotton mill accident...but he loved to dance and always loved to dance...and an amputated leg...that wasn't going to stop him.

Amid Racism, 'disability ' and poverty he rose up and danced....on that good ol' Peg Leg... great story! AMAZING!! Check out the Link
Watch Peg Leg Dance "

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd never heard of Peg Leg Bates but I really enjoyed his story. He's a fascinating guy. His story has all the elements that make a story worth reading, tremendous obstacles to overcome, perseverance, and strong character. He's a neat guy, and this is coming from someone who doesn't have a strong interest in dance. This is one special biography.

[Mrs. Cubby Culbertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this story accompanied by the video of Peg Leg Bates dancing. Interest is further intrigued when students find out that he is from Fountain Inn just up the road from us. Could be that it is further endeared to my heart because of my own little dancer, one of our FridyBoyz who loves to become Peg Leg Bates and dance that dance!

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful way to show children that nothing should ever stop them from achieving their dreams and that everyone can do anything they put their mind to! this book also is a good lesson on the history of how black people were treated for a long time.

[Tim Hardin · Rating 3 out of 5]

good book centered around self apperance and how to cope.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

An impressive story of a boy who's rhythm and need to dance is so deep that even an amputated leg can't stop him from stardom.

Told in plain language, easy for younger kids to follow.

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this biography - someone who overcame a physical disability and made a challenging situation into something positive.