Harriet and the Promised Land

by Jacob Lawrence

“A spiritual experience.” — The Boston Globe

Named Book of the Year by The New York Times , this spectacular picture book follows Harriet Tubman as she leads enslaved people to freedom on the Underground Railroad.

Told with sparse text and vividly rendered paintings, this story reimagines the well-known heroism of Harriet Tubman and captures to the urgency of her struggles to free as many people as possible and the anger, fear, and jubilation they feel along the perilous journey.

Genres: Art, Poetry, Biography, Picture Books, History, African American, Nonfiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1968

Reviews

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great multi-dimensional book about Harriet Tubman written and illustrated by the artist, Jacob Lawrence. I picked this up because we were looking at art by Jacob Lawrence (his use of color and lines--it was fun to funt for diagonal lines in each picture). This short book turned out to be a catalyst for all kinds of discussion not only about slavery and the underground railroad, but also Moses and the North Star and chariots and bloodhounds. When my girls saw Jacob Lawrence's photo on the jacket they wanted to know why he has black skin. That was another good discussion about how people with descendents from Africa have black skin and people with descendants from Europe have white skin which led to another interesting discussion about melanin. :)

[Cara Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lawrence, an important twentieth century American artist inspired by Cubism and African American history, is another great American artist primarily known for his work for adults who has translated his work in an interested and dynamic way for young readers. Following the life of Harriet Tubman, whom Lawrence ranks as one of many "remarkable" women he would like to pay tribute to. He explains in his introduction that his mother, his wife Gwen and Tubman, "have contributed much to making it possible for me to develop, to live, to grow, and to fully appreciate the challenges and the beauty of life in general; and to express through the elements of color, line, texture, shape, and value the wisdom of almighty God" (1992). This vivid biography follows Harriet from when she is born to the commands she is given as an enslaved child ("Harriet, clean;/ Harriet, sweep, / Harriet, rock / The child to sleep" to her transition to a leader who followed the North Star and lead herself and fellow enslaved peoples to freedom. The images are mesmerizing and bold, offering a unique counterpoint to many of the barbaric representations of African Americans from the late nineteenth century.

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harriet Tubman's incredible story inspires me and nourishes my soul. Jacob Lawrence's poetic retelling and his bold illustrations both qualify, in my opinion, as great art. I read this to my children for my own sake as much as for theirs!

[Alfajirikali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tremendous! Everyone knows about Harriet Tubman, but this book--through rhyme, rhythm and evocative illustrations tells it in such a way that it is inspiring and memorable even for the youngest of listeners.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written by the artist himself. The paintings feel three dimensional, immersive. The language is remarkable and part of its greatness. The story is told in the imperative - "Harriet, clean; Harriet sweep." But is it the imperative, or just the flavor of doing and being in a slave's life, or as the story proceeds, in the life of someone divinely inspired? Everything in this book is riches for the young reader.

In mindfulness with children, the book provides a chance to uncover all the whimsical details of the paintings; and to discuss Harriet's inspiration and strength, when the outer world was so discouraging.

[Brad McKenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork runs so counter to what I’ve traditionally liked. Some of the pictures have either giant bugs, disproportionate limbs, disturbingly skinny children, and frightening grimaces that may be smiles. But is my discomfort solely because of my photo-realist leanings when it comes to artwork? Or is it the result of systemic racism nestled deeply in my mind? I don’t know.

But what I do know is that this cleaner, simpler, story of Harriet Tubman is a fantastic introduction for kids and a great example of Jacob Lawrence’s powers.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! After painting an exhibition based on the life of Harriet Tubman, Jacob Lawrence turned it into a children's book about her history. There's so few children's biographies that are written for early childhood, so this book was a great addition to the field, as well as a beautiful introduction into Lawrence's painting style. The book was written in verse and has a wonderful, punchy rhythm.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am honestly not sure why this book has such a high averaged rating.

The art was awful, and I didn't connect at all with the writing.

This didn't make an impact on me, in the least - except that I didn't like it.

[Gail Kennon · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautiful and moving.

[Krystie Herndon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evocative, almost gothic illustrations; simple, powerful poetry about the bravest American who ever lived.

[Geke Niemeijer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wat een prachtige tekeningen! Heerlijk kinderboek met rijke geschiedenis en inspirerend levensverhaal!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful, important, powerful and somewhat odd picturebook that tells the story of Harriet Tubman. Lawrence's brightly colored, two-dimensional and graphically complex paintings match the rhyming power of his poem that chronicles Tubman's leading escaping slaves to freedom. I love the heroic scale and timbre and would eagerly read this aloud to students but I find the last pages leave me with questions. Up until then the narrative has existed in the real world, albeit with appropriate biblical references: "Harriet led them 'cross the snow/ Toward "The Promised Land,"/As Moses led his people/ 'Cross the burning sand." But on the final three pages of text, with the 'Promised Land' not in sight, Harriet grows weary "And sick at heart,/Now the Lord/ Sent Harriet/ A chariot!/ The chariot was sent/ By the Lord's own hand,/ And Harriet/ Rode the chariot? To "The Promised Land!" I wish Lawrence had included an author's note to tell readers what he based these final passages on. Are they metaphorical: do they describe a final escape to the the ultimate "Promised Land" as in the song 'Swing low sweet chariot'? Or, was Lawrence aware of an account of Tubman in which a 'chariot' of some from provided deliverance that could be interpreted as God given? Without any explanation the deus ex machina robs the story (for me) of it's power and introduces a puzzling end and the books' least satisfying rhymes.

[Jamala Alkeshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great picture book depicting the life of Harriet Tubman, one of the great women who helped many slaves escape into freedom. The illustrations are very striking and unique with their dark and bright, bold uses of color. The story is written in a great way for children with great big illustrations and little text at the bottom that often rythmes. I feel like this would be really helpful for children when learning about Harriet Tubman because then they can recite this story in their minds when they need to remember certain things about her biography. I think this book would be a great book to incorporate into a history lesson for younger children. This is defidently a book I would use in my classroom, to help my children remember about Harriet Tubman and inspire them with her courage.

[Megan Norris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book to my 6 year old nephew who has started to express interest in learning about African American history. He loved the different colors found in the pictures and how the story used rhyming words. I would definitely recommend this story to parents who want to educate their children about famous characters throughout history. This book can serve as an introduction into the history of African Americans in this country. It is child appropriate, while still grasping the hardships millions went through in the 1860s.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the rhythm and flow of the text, it seems like it would be a good read-aloud. While they do help tell the story, some of the illustrations are a little creepy: proportions seem odd and some of the teeth look a bit jagged. I thought it was interesting that despite all of the bright color on the pages, my eye always went to the faces of the African-Americans, a great reminder of who this story (and Harriet Tubman) is all about.

[Shelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

The lyrical text has a nice flow but Jacob Lawrence's art is nothing I would either put on my wall or spend any length of time looking over. The people are down right creepy looking, especially their teeth. The information on Harriet Tubman felt out of order as well, making me confused as to why this book received a Parent's Choice Award.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, published 40 years ago, is probably one of the earliest books about American heroine, Harriet Tubman. Lawrence's paintings and words feel dated, but are still powerful after all these years.

[Miriam Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is shot book that tells about the courage and sufferings that Harriet had to go through to free herself and her family. The book has colorful pictures that tell a story on its own. Children really enjoy the book because it reinerates what they know about Harriet.

[Elizabeth]

The faces on many of these illustrations kind of freaked me out.

I didn't have any particular problems with the narrative, but I also didn't feel like the spare verse particularly added anything to the basic Harriet Tubman story I already knew.

[Heather Ledet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A poem with wonderful illustrations about Harriet Tubman's journeys to the North to free slaves. A good jumping off point for discussion of Tubman and the Underground Railroad.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting paintings I can appreciate the work that went into them but not my preferred style of painting.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Underground railroad. Limited text, mostly JL's artwork. Approachable entry to SS unit on UR.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacob Lawrence's work is always amazing to look at, to consider his perspective and the powerfulness of his narratives. Such a treat to be able to have his artwork in my collection.