Lift Your Light a Little Higher: The Story of Stephen Bishop: Slave-Explorer

by Heather Henson, Bryan Collier (Illustrator)

Grab your lantern and follow the remarkable and world-famous Mammoth Cave explorer—and slave—Stephen Bishop as he guides you through the world’s largest cave system in this remarkable homage to the resilience of human nature.

Welcome to Mammoth Cave. It’s 1840 and Stephen Bishop is the perfect guide.

By the light of his lantern, the deepest, biggest cave in all of the United States is revealed. Down here, beneath the earth, he’s not just an enslaved person. He’s a pioneer. He knows the cave’s twists and turns. It taught him to not be afraid of the dark.

And watching all the visitors write their names on the ceiling? Well, it taught him how to read.

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 6, 2016

Reviews

[QNPoohBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a speculative story about Stephen Bishop, an enslaved man who led tours of Mammoth Cave in Kentucky in the antebellum period. This story is beautiful! It's about a MAN who claims his humanity through his work as a cave explorer despite being enslaved. I loved how the author gave a different side to the usual story about slavery. It covers race laws in 1840 and what a slave is in a way that is accessible to young readers. The illustrations are done in collage form that make the scenes pop in almost a 3D way. The book also includes an author's note, illustrator's note and resources to learn more. Sadly not much is known about this intelligent and resourceful man.

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tale about Stephen Bishop, who was a guide in the Mammoth Cave for nearly 20 years while enslaved. The narrative is fictional, but full of facts. I enjoyed learning about Stephen's contributions to science while imagining what it might have felt like for him to lead tourists through the cave. I visited Mammoth Cave as a child and I've never forgotten what it was like down there. Recommended to accompany your family trip.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a book that is both beautifully illustrated and lyrically written, the reader is introduced to Stephen Bishop. Like all too many slaves there isn't a lot known about the man, but what is known forms the foundation for this fictionalized biography. With so many gaps in the knowledge about Bishop, the author has had to fill in some of those gaps with imagined thoughts and feelings. The story is told from Bishop's perspective and gives young readers a glimpse into what it may have been like to be a slave. I found the book touching fascinating, especially the parts about Bishop's exploration of the Mammoth Cave system, the creation of a map by a basically illiterate slave, and Bishop's learning to read by watching tourists write their name on the cave itself. Collier's illustrations are amazing as usual. And the author and illustrator notes at the end of the book are informative. This makes for a great introduction to a remarkable, but little known individual.

[Brenda Kahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful first-person narrative of Stephen Bishop, a slave who explored the Mammoth Cave system and guided tourists. Gorgeous art by the amazing Bryan Collier.

ETA: Reading this with my sixth graders as part of our picture book biography unit where we discuss back matter and sources and the erasure of history.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

W O W

6 star book

Every word, every picture is perfect. This isn't a verse novel or story, but every line reads like it is meant to be read aloud. I didn't know caving had been around in the US as early as the 1820s or that slaves were often the guides.

i'm saving this book to reread and to learn how to write from.

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well illustrated and thoughtfully done.

[Kid Lit Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Story of Stephen Bishop tells the true story of a slave entrusted to learn the passageways underneath Mammoth Caves. Bishop learned the trails and the rivers better than most. He then led others, many who came from thousands of miles away, under the caves, through the passageways, and then safely back out again. Bishop takes readers through the caves, retelling his life as we walk the passageways under the earth.

Collier’s collage illustrations show the darkness of the cave system Bishop speaks of and then adds the feeling of claustrophobia to help readers understand the conditions Bishop was required to work in, or rather under. Collier adds symbolism to the text in several areas. Bishop writes his name upon the ceiling, but does so backwards.

Lift Your Light a Little Higher is the perfect adjunct text for teachers with lesson plans about explorers, Mammoth Caves, or Black History Month. With Stephen Bishop’s contributions omitted from history books . . .

Originally reviewed on Kid Lit Reviews. To read the review or see interior illustrations, go to: http://bit.ly/LiftYourLightALittleHigher

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stephen Bishop was a slave who explored and mapped Mammoth Cave. The book is set in 1840 where you can follow the light of Bishop’s lantern deep into the massive cave as he gives people and the reader a tour. For the reader though, the tour is about slavery, about civil rights and about the ability for a man to discover value through exploring darkness. Bishop was the first to see many of Mammoth’s sights, including the blind fish. He learned to read as people signed their names on the cave’s ceiling, though learning to read and write was forbidden for slaves. This man’s story is a tale of resilience, self worth and discovery.

Henson tells the story almost in verse, capturing the highlights of the man’s discoveries but also weaving the dark side of slavery with the darkness of the cave. Henson gives Bishop a strong voice, one that stands out on the page and demands to be heard. Told in the voice of The Guide, Bishop explains slavery and its structure to the reader just as he explains his role and his attitudes towards life and the cave that made his famous. The author’s note contains information on Bishop and how he was sold along with the cave to several owners.

Collier’s illustrations are exceptional. He has several that are simply amazing in their power. One that caused me to linger for some time was the page with the oxen with faces on their sides, faces of slavery in various colors that are wrinkled and damaged. It’s a powerful reminder of the place of slaves as property. There are other pages that show hope in the slanting light of sun as Bishop exits the dark of the cave is one. Exceptional.

A strong picture book biography of a man many won’t have heard of before, this book speaks to the tragedy of slavery and the resilience and power of one man. Appropriate for ages 6-9.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henson, Heather Lift Your Light a Little Higher: The Story of Stephen Bishop: Slave-Explorer, Illustrated by Collier, Bryan. PICTURE BOOK. Caitlyn Dlouhy Book (Aheneum), 2016. $17.99. Content: G
The story of Stephen Bishop who lived in the mid 1800’s as a slave in the state of Kentucky. His main job was to explore and then give guided tours of the Mammoth Cave system. He was well known for his accomplishments and discoveries. His name is still there today, written in his own handwriting.
This is a wonderful mini-biography that illuminates the true life of a slave and his accomplishments, with a unique voice and eloquence that is a tribute to the man. It would be great for a unit on slavery or on introducing the Mammoth Cave system. The artwork is just beautiful with my favorite when Stephen is running the stream water through his hands.

EL – ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2016/...

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take a historic tour through Mammoth Cave with famous guide Stephen Bishop as he introduces readers to what little is known of his life and his legacy.

Text is poetic and does a great job of incorporating the author's research of Bishop's life while exciting readers about the time period and the setting. The pacing gives readers an armchair tour which makes this a good read aloud.

Watercolor and collage illustrations are beautiful and offer some truly unique views of the beauty of this national park and celebrate this important person.

An author's and illustrator's note are offered in the back matter along with a list of resources. Highly recommended for all ages and as a great new book to share during Black History Month.

Must see/must read!!!

[Mississippi Library Commission · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Lift Your Light a Little Higher, readers visit Kentucky's Mammoth Cave with Stephen Bishop as tour guide. As Bishop shows us the wonders of the cave, he also gives a "tour" of slavery and the many ways it affects his life. Bryan Collier's illustrations are perfection, as always.

[Ashtin Flener · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I discovered that this book was about Mammoth Cave and the early explorations of the cave, I was very excited. In the book, Lift Your Light a Little Higher, Heather Henson tells the somewhat untold story of Stephen Bishop, a slave from the 1800's, who was ordered to learn the ins and outs of the cave. This story is told from the perspective of Stephen Bishop himself- throughout the story he explains that as a slave he was forced to do many things, but explains how he chose to make the best of the circumstances he found himself in. Bishop explains that since he is a black man, it is illegal for him to learn how to read. Within the story Bishop touches on the realities of racism and slavery in Kentucky's history and he explains the many ways the cave helped him cope and learn.
I enjoyed the illustrations in this book, but not nearly as much as I enjoyed the text. The illustrations seem to be done with a mixture of watercolor paints and collages. The characters look stiff and there is little life in the faces- also, the collage is extremely noticeable in some areas. However, I do believe that the illustrations do add substance to the text and create a helpful visual for the reader.
Within the story it tells the tidbit of how Mammoth Cave was supposedly discovered- the story goes on to say that a man followed a bear into the cave- and I laughed out loud because that is truly the same story that is told as you enter Mammoth Cave on tours to this day!
I believe that this story is so important because within it, it emphasizes the importance of finding purpose in your life- regardless of the circumstances you find yourself in. Stephen Bishop was a slave, but he was also a guide into the worlds longest cave system. He was able to find purpose and passion within that- he was able to see that even though he was not there by his own free will that he was still involved with something great. To put it in his own words, he was a pioneer. This book is also important because it emphasizes that even during a time such as the 1800's, a black slave was able to regain his dignity. He says in the book, "Down here I'm not just a slave. I'm a guide. I'm a man" and I think that is important for students (and adults) to see.
When it truly comes down to the wire, the color of someone's skin does not matter. We are all human and we are all capable of changing the world with our skills, talents, and interests. I think that this book is extremely important in today's climate with the racial tension stirring again.
This book can be extremely useful in the classroom involving many different subjects. This book could be used in a science class when learning about how caves are formed and the different life that forms in different climates. This book would also be useful in teaching on slavery in the United States- and would be extremely beneficial to use when teaching on Kentucky.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Lift Your Light a Little Higher”, along with being a beautifully illustrated picture book, is a look into both Mammoth Cave and a man, a slave, a guide, named Stephen Bishop who finds his humanity deep in the dark of the cave. The book discusses in terms children can understand about a shameful part of American history, the enslavement of African Americans. It mentions how it was illegal to teach them to read and write, but that doesn’t stop Stephen from mapping Mammoth Cave, discovering the eyeless fish deep in the dark pools of the cave, and other amazing feats of discovery. He also slowly learns to write his own name on the cave wall as visitors and tourists he leads through teach him without knowing as he shows them how to write on the walls with candles. His story ends with the mention that though no one recorded how he died, his spirit will live on in the caves and with this book his story will never die. The book is illustrated with beautiful full page watercolor illustrations, cleverly using light and dark space to bring the images to life. The characters pop from the page because of the use of collage style laying of pictures. The characters seem to be layered on top of the backgrounds. The illustrations are a mix of folk art and impressionism used to emphasize what the illustrator wants to draw the reader's eyes to. I would certainly recommend this book for children of all ages. The text never goes into graphic detail about the horrors of slavery, but effectively communicates the sorrow that should be acknowledged about this shameful part of our history. The text does not linger too long on any specific point, but instead keeps moving toward a sense of hope even while acknowledging the unfortunate state of time. It would be a mistake to overlook this book just because of a hesitance to talk about slavery to younger children. Just like Stephen’s tale, slavery must not be forgotten. It is part of our history and when we forget we are at risk of repeating our mistakes. For older children, there is supplemental information on the last two pages in the form of an Author’s note and an Illustrator’s note. Both of these contain information about how the book was written and illustrated with extra information about Stephen Bishop, the character in the story. In addition the resources used to write the book are listed after the notes. These could be used as supplemental reading, especially in a Social Studies class when covering the 1800’s or in a geology class studying Mammoth Cave. For student’s in Kentucky, where Mammoth Cave is, this could be an interesting book looking deeper into Kentucky’s history and landscape. For parents and teachers concerned about the topics contained in the book, a prereading is recommended so they can be prepared to answer questions raised by their children, but skipping over this book because of difficult topics is not recommended.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, subtitled “The Story of Stephen Bishop: Slave-Explorer” has an intriguing beginning that pulls the reader in right away:

“The year is 1840, give or take. The color of my skin is black. The name I’m called is Guide. My home is in Kentucky, fifteenth state of the Union, though I am known beyond this place. I am famous far and wide - across the great ocean itself. Why, even the Queen of England knows who I am, they say.

But being known is not the same as being free, no sir. Famous or not, you will not find my story written down exactly as it happened. Because in 1840 in most states of this young nation, it is against the law to teach me to read and write.”

Don’t you feel drawn in and want to know what his story is?

The author explains in a Note at the end of the book that Stephen Bishop was brought by his master to work as a guide in Mammoth Cave, located in southwestern Kentucky. This cave system, comprised of a complex limestone labyrinth, was actually discovered some 4,000 years ago beneath the Green River Valley of Edmonson County, Kentucky. It is the longest in the world, with more than four hundred miles of mapped underground passageways. It was a busy tourist attraction as early as 1825.

Stephen was the best known of the slave guides between the period of 1838 to 1857. Visitors mentioned his intelligence and knowledge of the caves. He not only mapped the caves, but made important discoveries inside them.

He died at the age of thirty-seven, but there is no record of how or why. There isn’t much known about him at all, except as relayed by tourists at the time. Thus the author has tried to imagine his life and what he would say to readers if he could.

Most poignantly, the author has Stephen declare about the caves:

“Down here, I am Guide - a man able to walk before other men, not behind; a man able to school even the brightest scholar . . . A man, down here, that’s what I am - a man, not just a slave.”

The story is illustrated by watercolors and collage by award-winning artist Bryan Collier. He mentions that he went to the Mammoth Caves to see them for himself, both as an aid to depicting them, and for inspiration in helping to bring Stephen Bishop's story to light.

Evaluation: The author did as much as she could based on scant information to make Stephen Bishop’s role in history known. Part of the lesson she imparts is that there were many people with worthwhile stories whose histories we will never know, because they were silenced by the slave system.

[Alexis Damron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a strong and powerful book about a slave named Stephen Bishop in the 1840’s. Stephen Bishop was bought by a slave-holder who specifically told him his job was to provide Mammoth Cave tours to people. He learned the cave like the back of his hand. This book is an educational book as it provides information about slaves. For example, they were not allowed to know how to read or write. When Stephen went on tours, people would want to write their names on the wall of the cave. In doing so Stephen learned how to write. As the book goes on, we learned Stephen enjoyed going into the cave because it gave him a since of freedom. He described himself as a pioneer not a slave when he was in the cave. This was because he was one of the only people who learned all the twist and tunnels of the cave and when he took people into it they had to rely on him to get them out. My favorite part of the book was how the author connected the title to the story. she wrote "The journey back is dark and winding. And sometimes you just got to lift your light a little higher; sometimes you just got to go beyond what's written down to get to what's been left untold." To me this met sometimes you have to do the unknown but if you keep your faith on a better future you (lifting the light) you will find your way to the other side.
I really loved the watercolor effect that the illustrator used for the pictures. I feel it really set the mood of how serious the book is. It created a more realistic effect to the pictures. I also enjoyed how the book was created. On the front flap of the cover you can read a short description of who Stephen Bishop was to the world and to himself. At the end of the story there is a short biography about Stephen Bishop. I feel this book would be a great book to teach about slavery in Kentucky while providing little history about Mammoth Cave and would be perfect for the children in 4th grade and older. I say this because the writing is a little more mature and younger children probably would find it not interacting and/or understand the importance of the book. Overall, this book gets a 5 star from me because the author did a great job telling Stephen Bishops story and the Illustration are breathtaking. As I said before, this book is very powerful.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Lift Your Light a Little Higher" by Heather Henson is a thoughtfully written and illustrated children's book about a man named Stephen Bishop who was a slave in Kentucky during the later 1800s. The book is told from Bishop's point of view and talks about his time as a slave and his work as a cave guide. It is through his work in Mammoth cave, that he finds himself and a purpose for his life despite his hardships as a slave. The story is more serious for a children's novel but works excellently for helping children to understand slavery better and is a very unique way to introduce or talk about the topic of slavery. The illustrations pair wonderfully with the story told and do a great job of grabbing your attention while maintaining a serious mood with dull colors. At the end of the story, Henson includes an "authors note" section which explains Stephen Bishop's story in more detail, which I thought was important in order to understand who Stephen was and is helpful if you were interested in knowing more about him. I think this is also important in order to pay respect to Bishop.

The story told in this book is very beautiful and an excellent way to introduce or talk about slavery with younger children. In elementary school, it is likely that children do not know much about this time period and slavery and I believe it is important to educate them as soon as possible on topics like this. The author does not leave out the harsh realities of slavery during this period. On one page she says "Because I am a slave. Because I am the property of a white man. Because I am bought and sold the same as an ox or mule; bought and sold, along with the land I work." I really appreciated that Henson did not leave out details like this, because it is important for children to understand the harsh realities of slavery during this time period. The story is quite serious and a more advanced read, so I might suggest it to older elementary aged children, possibly in fourth or fifth grade. At this age, I think the children would be able to comprehend the story better. Reading a story like this could be a possible introduction to the topic of slavery and help you to have more conversations about it in the future.

[Corinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first glance, the cover of the books is intriguing. However, it is a very cool surprise when you take off the hardback sleeve and find a different cover picture. This can be helpful when creating a lesson with the book or reading it aloud to a class. Using the alternate pictures can help to teach the students and children how to predict what may happen. This book is about a man named Stephen Bishop who is a guide through the Mammoth Cave with slaves. The book is written in the first person which is helpful to be used when teaching students about different points of view in different books. The book has the narrator, Stephen, speaking straight to the reader. The illustrations are very cool and interesting to look at. They are very dark and create the scene very well, considering they are inside a dark and mysterious cave. The children get to take their own trip into Mammoth Cave, just by reading or listening to this book. There is some harder vocabulary within the book, but this can be a very cool way to integrate new vocabulary into their personal dictionary. It also gives children to opportunity to discuss and guess what they think it means with context clues and also do writing assignments that incorporate those words. The illustrations are very cool because it looks like each person or animal are cut out and pasted on top of one another to create the image. It is all drawn, but it seems somewhat like a scrapbook. They have also incorporated some real photographs within the illustrations. Because this is a non-fiction story, having the photographs incorporated helps to give it a more historical feel. I really enjoy that as Stephen talks bout himself, he shows that the way he lived his life was life a leader. This goes against the mold of the way slaves lived and really shows how different he was. It also ends on a very motivating note that helps eh reader apply this story to their own life and story. Overall, I enjoyed the book. I think it lacks the hook that most children need to fully invest in a story, but it is interesting, historical accurate, and has very unique illustrations.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is SUCH an important book, and I’m so glad that I read it! As a resident of Kentucky, I feel that “Lift Your Light a Little Higher” would have greatly enriched my school curriculum had it been available. Not only does it discuss the amazing achievements of Stephen Bishop, but it details the tragedies and hardships of slavery in America (and Kentucky) in a manner accessible to children. I particularly enjoyed the section in which the narrator discusses how he learned to read and eventually write his name, “Stephen,” on the walls of Mammoth Cave. He states as he writes his name on the wall, “[Y]ou will have no way of knowing . . . the color of my skin, black or white.” The book informs audiences both of the plight of Black Americans during this period in history and of one talented man who suffered through it. It generates empathy for audiences of all identities through a compassionate and engaging telling of Bishop’s individual story. While the book serves as an excellent segue into more difficult conversations of slavery and its effects, it also gives visibility to the life of an interesting figure in Black history - and Kentucky history, in general.
The emotionality of the story is also supported through the book’s detailed illustrations. Bryan Collier combines realistic and symbolic imagery to powerful results throughout the book. One drawing that especially resonated with me occurs somewhat near the end, portraying Bishop guiding a tunnel filled with people to the “secrets” and hidden crannies of the world. The metaphorical motifs are reflected in the text that accompanies the illustrations, one particularly poignant line being, “I never left the cave. I am still here. My name. My spirit. My story.” Students could catch on to the reference back to earlier parts of the story where Bishop physically writes his name on the cave and also the symbolic context of what the narrator says. I believe this book would be best fit for later elementary readers (3rd to 5th grade), due to its heavy use of figurative language and complex imagery. However, I feel it could be read to all elementary students, given the historical (and modern) relevance of its themes.

[David Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heather Henson’s Lift Your Light a Little Higher tells the story of Stephen Bishop who was an African American guide at Mammoth Cave in Kentucky circa 1840. The story is told in the first person as if Bishop were alive today sharing his experience with us. Through Henson Bishop shares with the reader the undiluted and embarrassing truth of slavery in Kentucky during his lifetime. Bishop explains how he learned to read and write even though it was illegal for him to learn or for anyone to teach him. How did he do it? Well, he helped people leave their mark in the cave and learned to decipher their letters and eventually to write his own name. Midway through the book Bishop tells the reader about writing his name on the wall and he says: “You’ll have no way of knowing, I’ll tell you true, from candle smoke on stone, the color of my skin, black or white.” What a powerful statement! I recommend this book for readers ages 6 and up who are classified as at least beginning readers. The text is not difficult, and each page has no more than 5 small lines of text. The illustrations by Bryan Collier are colorful and wonderfully detailed; however, many of the faces on characters are either blurred or poorly done. The illustrations assist the text and together they tell this powerful story of a slave guide overcoming adversity and rising above his circumstances. At the end of the book, both author and illustrator leave the reader a note. The author’s note describes who Stephen Bishop was and the illustrator’s note is about Mammoth Cave. The author even includes a list of resources she used to source her information about Stephen Bishop. Bishop was a real person, but his history was poorly recorded because he was a slave. Henson’s account is research based and likely pretty close to truth.

[Abbey Norton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lift Your Light A Little Higher is the story of a slave named Stephen who worked in a cave in around 1840. The book tells the story of how he became well known for giving guided tours of an unnamed cave, which we learn is Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. He learned how to read and write names through helping people write with candles. I think this book would work best in a fourth or fifth grade classroom. There are a decent amount of words per page and I’m not sure younger kids would really be able to focus on the message that the story is conveying. This book could be used for a variety of lessons. You could use it to teach about history and slavery during the 1800’s. You could use it as way to talk about caves and other landmarks in a science or geology lesson. Or you could even use it as a book on perspective. Stephen didn’t see himself as only a slave, despite the fact that that’s how most of the white people of that time saw him. He saw himself as an explorer and “the first” person to do things that he thought hadn’t been done before. He died from unknown reasons, but left his mark in the cave. Although he was a slave, he made himself more through his desire to learn. The cover art shows Stephen with his lantern on the front and his lantern lighting the path as he journeys into the dark cave on the back. The illustrations throughout the story are wonderfully able to take the reader back in time and see a glimpse of what Stephen’s life would have looked like. I love how the author and illustrator included notes at the end of the book that tell a little bit more about Stephen’s story and provide more details about Mammoth Cave. This book would be beneficial to have in any upper-elementary classroom.

[Emily Davis]

Lift Your Light a Little Higher written by Heather Henson and illustrated by Bryan Collier is all about the life of a slave in 1840, Stephen Bishop. Throughout the story, Stephen goes through the largest cave system, which is actually Mammoth Cave. He tells the story about how he is a slave, and he can be “bought and sold like an ox or a mule.” He actually tells us how he is known as “Guide” and not “Stephen”; no one knows his story or his history. He has a wife and a son, and he hopes over time he will be free like his master tells him. He tells the readers at the end to “go beyond what is written down to get to what is untold.” In the end of the book, there are author’s notes included that have more about Stephan Bishop’s life and Mammoth Caves. I think this is great to include because it ties the actual historical facts in with the book.

The illustrations throughout this book are incredible with the theme of dark browns and blacks. I love how the light is portrayed throughout the story as a lamp in the caves, but it can also be interpreted as the light and hope for the future. The illustrations look like a collage, with layers of different scenes, animals, and people. For example, when Stephan talks about “being known is not the same as being free,” the illustrations of the greenery overlap the house, while the man and the two horses stand out. The cover of the book includes Stephan holding a lantern, which foreshadows how symbolic this light is throughout the book. The font on the front cover looks almost like the writing on the ceiling in the caves as well. Overall, I would recommend this book for ages 4-8 years old. I think this book could be used specifically in the classroom when teaching the history of slavery in America.

[Ally Ferring · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lift Your Light a Little Higher is an inspiring picture book written by Heather Henson. This picture book tells the story of Stephen Bishop, a slave back in the 1800's, who was a well-known Mammoth Cave guide. Being a guide taught him many things, such as how to read and write, through people candle-writing their names on the ceiling of the cave, which led him to write his own name on the ceiling. He also figures out that others discovered the cave before the pioneers. Stephen mentions that his master brought him to the caves as a young boy, and told him to learn about the cave to give tours to people who pay. Stephen knew all the secrets of the cave, discovered fish and crawdads, and even drew the first extensive map of the cave. He had a wife, Charlotte, and a son who were promised freedom, but waited, and never given it. His death remains a mystery, but his legacy lives on with the caves. This book is a great way to include history into a nightly story. The illustrations by Bryan Collier are unique, and something I have never seen in a children's book. He used a combination of water color and collage, which I think look great in the book. One cool aspect of the book is how the author and illustrator include notes at the end to give a little more history, and why they felt this book needed to be shared. I also liked the hardback cover of the book. The paper cover were illustrations of Stephen in the cave, but the hardback cover has an illustration of a lamp, and of Stephen guiding people through the cave. This book would be great to read during Black History Month, for children 4-8 years old.

[Lindsay Brzozowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story by Heather Henson, illustrated by Brian Collier is a story narrated by a man who is a slave in the mid-19th century.He is telling the story about his own life and responsibilities. He explains how he is not supposed to know how to read and write, how he is owned, and how his job is to explore a cave and take people who want to pay to see the cave through it. He loves being in the cave because that is when he feels most like a real, free, man and not just as an owned man. He gets to explore and see things no one else sees.
The images in this story are
The colors are bland, matching the colors you would expect to see in the 1800's. Every page shows the narrator, and the things that he does every day, like write, or explore the cave. The images are great for allowing readers to try putting themselves in the world of this man.
I would definitely recommend this story to any person. I knew from the first few pages that this book would be a five star review. This story is a very powerful story. It is different than other stories and books about the topic of slavery because of the perspective. This book is written in first person rather than third. This point of view allows readers to really connect to the narrator and feel the way they are feeling. I think that it makes the messages more powerful and more influential.
I think that the grades that this book would be most impactful would be 5th grade or older. This is a deep and serious story, so the audience would need to be older. It would be a perfect story to teach a history lesson about the early days of the United States, and the Slavery that was happening.

[Carly Friedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story starts off with an immediate comparison, which is a theme throughout the novel. It compares the past to a cave, it’s not a lit path that smooth or easy to follow, it’s a difficult path, which follows with their story. The narrator is black, living in Kentucky. They go by the name of Guide, and are pretty known, but that doesn’t mean they are free. Guide can’t even be taught how to read, he’s what was considered property of a white man, bought and sold like animals. Although he’s not granted the rights to learn, he feels the powerful need to do so, so he does, little by little. He wants the truth to be known, like who founded this place, who he was, and the path that he was forced to walk. There is so much that Guide discovered, but he is never credited for these braveries. Guide is more than a slave, he is a man, with people and things that he cares about. Guide and his spirits and stories are still in the cave, no matter what is recorded in the history book. I really like how this is written. It’s not necessarily a narrator telling a story, it’s kind of written like you are asking questions back. Sometimes it even directly says what you may be thinking like “Why is it against the law to learn my letters?”

This is an extremely powerful story, written in an extremely eyeopening way showing a lot of perspective. I think that because of the metaphors and content, this book would be good for second grade. With that being said it puts a lot into perspective and would be a good read at the beginning of the year, or unit, before diving deeper into history to allow your students to open their minds.

[Caroline Ackerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henson's "Lift Your Light a Little Higher" is a gorgeously and lovingly crafted book about Stephen Bishop, a slave who worked in Kentucky's Mammoth Cave system. Stephen is a guide, leading tourists through the caves, and he speaks to the reader as if they are going along on a tour with him. He takes us to the wall where people write their names with candles on the stone, and tells us how he learned from them how to write his own name, and later his wife's. He shows us a hidden stream where he's found crawdads, and explains that he does not fear the darkness, that he finds it freeing. As the book closes, Stephen tells us that his master once told him his family would be free one day. However, for Stephen that day never comes, and he passes at the age of 37 and is buried by the original cave entrance.
The book is a wonderful read, and a fantastic addition to lessons on both Kentucky history (especially Mammoth Cave) and slavery. Collier's earthy illustrations bring Bishop's story to life, the pages full of lifelike texture and mixed media, and paint him as a wise and dignified guide who found peace in the caves. The author's and illustrator's notes in the back are a wonderful addition, and offer more detail into Bishop's life. I truly feel that this book is suitable for an elementary aged child, or even older (even as a seventeen year old I found myself engrossed). Kentucky-based teachers could even consider pairing the book with a trip to the caves where Bishop worked, where students could see for themselves the names that he wrote all those years ago.

[Maria Mascalco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lift Your Light a Little Higher was an amazing book that beautifully told and showed the life of Stephen Bishop. The author told an amazing story about a man, whom we have few details on. She recounted his life in a way that seemed true to his story, yet also took some imaginative liberty that gave him a strong and distinct voice. This is shown in the book when the author, speaking as Stephen says, "Is that what you want to know? Why is it against the law to teach me letters?" The message is impactful because it is told from the fist person perspective, which allows kids to see things from his perspective.

The story is even more moving because of the illustrations that went with the text. A lot of the illustrations all are mainly made with warm dark colors to help the audience get a feel of how dark it is in the cave. All of the images are powerful and connect with the text on the page. When Bishop compared himself to an ox saying,"I am bought and sold, same as an ox or a mule," Collier illustrated an Ox with outlines of people shaded into the Ox's body. This use of symbolism through imagery is able to show the power of the simile in ways that words cannot do.

I think this book would be a great way to introduce or expand on the topic of slavery in an elementary classroom. It is historically accurate while still being interesting. In the future, I will plan on using this in a 2nd to 4th grade classroom if this topic ever came up. Overall, the book perfectly tells the story of a slave that will be effective at teaching elementary school children.

[Sara Stelmach · Rating 4 out of 5]

The historical based picture book “Lift Your Light a Little Higher” by Heather Hensen is riveting. It is a story that mixes factual history with an insightful story of the tours given by Stephen Bishop or “Guide” in Mammoth Cave. The story takes you on a tour of the cave and a tour of Stephens life as a slave including his family. In this story there are multiple sentences that have a very impactful double meaning regarding a slave’s life and the journey through the cave. The book touches on slavery and its effects on Stephen. He honestly explains slavery and states he “is property of a white man.” He truly wants to learn to read but, he isn't given the opportunity because he is a slave. However, he takes his aspiration to read in his own hands and learns to read from people signing their name on the cave. He also wants to be free for his family and son. The book adequately shows the hardships and injustices of being a slave in America in an appropriate way for kids. The illustrations, by Bryan Collier, are beautifully done in water color. The images depict the story and the emotions on Stephen’s face as the story goes on. My favorite page of illustrations was the page of a bull looking up with pride and strength when the text refers to it being illegal for a slave to learn letters in order to read. This juxtaposition shows the hardship, but also the perseverance of Stephen. I would recommend this book for children in grades third through fifth. I think it would be a helpful picture book to read when learning about slavery in the United States.

[GwendeLynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heather Henson did a great job with this book. I love the way the main character Stephen (Bishop) told his story through a narrative. I actually felt like he was talking to me face to face. I enjoyed how he described being a guide, teaching people how to use aa candle to mark their journey, and seeing the Crawdads in Mammoth cave. I also enjoyed how it leads way into making inferences about the Native Americans and Pioneers exploring the cave way before people started paying to come and explore it with Stephen as their guide. However with all the things this book did right, I have negative feedback as well. I really did not learn the specifics of Stephen's history until the author's notes at the end of the book. I felt like the book only gave me pieces of a story by reading it alone, leaving me to find the missing information myself. Also it felt a little typecasted, the story felt like you could substitute any random slave into it and it still have the same significance. It doesn't talk about what Stephen went through during childhood, how be learned the caves, how he met his wife, what happened to her and his son when he died or really anything that would describe him as a person with real life connections from history.
The illustrations were FANTASTIC!!! They looked like paper cut outs making a collage. The illustrations were so vibrant that I just couldn't help myself from touching them to see if I could feel the different textures. I would recommend this book for 4th or 5th grade when talking about Black History, Kentucky History, Narratives, Slaves, or Geography.

[Lindsay Leighton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heather Henson’s book, Lift Your Light a Little Higher, is a picture book made for children to understand the basics of what our world was like during a time of slavery. The main character, an African American slave known as Guide, tells his story through first-person narrative so children can fully grasp the realities of our society during such a different era. The book touches on the journey that “Guide” goes through, including having to navigate people through the caves and his yearning to learn how to write during a time in which blacks were not given this basic freedom that people today often take for granted. I think the tone of Henson’s book is more serious than most children’s books, as it explores a topic that was so significant yet heartbreaking in American history. I believe this book is so important for children to read so they can comprehend society during this time, but, I think Lift Your Light a Little Higher targets older elementary students, such as third graders. Older students will have a much easier time being able to relate to the main character in the book and understanding this history that seems so hard to believe. I also think the illustrations in this book match perfectly with the tone that the author was trying to portray. Since the book was more serious, the pictures are fairly simple with black, brown, and dark green colors. Overall, I would recommend this book to children, especially if they are in the process of learning about slavery in their history classes!

[Marc Blunk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picture Storybook - KY authors
Lift Your Light a Little Higher - the story of Stephen Bishop: Slave-explorer by Heather Henson, Illustrations by Bryan Collier.

The Illustrations are beautifully and meticulously crafted. The cover features our main character of the story brandishing a lantern. The back of the jacket shows our hero lighting up a cave with his lantern. The cover is different than the book jacket and features a simple lantern with beautiful neutral and deep colors. The end pages are black and the pages themselves have a smooth, slick feel to them. Much of the illustrations look like collages or images overlapping.

The story is a tale of a slave whom was employed as a tour guide for mammoth cave. This book helps us familiarize with the struggles of African Americans during slavery. While he was well known, he explains he was not free. This is exemplified throughout in an array of eeloquenly poetic stanzas.

"Because I am a slave. Because I am the property of a white man. Because I am bought and sold, same as an ox or mule; bought and sold, along with the land I work" (Henson).

Our story does not have a happy ending. We learn that we don't know what Bishop's fate is exactly, only that he never earned his promised freedom and that he never left mammoth cave. This book would be a great read for anyone struggling with race issues to help familiarize and identify with the history of slaves in the United States. It's an excellent read a loud and would be a great selection for Black history month. I suggest readers from 1st-3rd grades.