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Toussaint L'ouverture: The Fight for Haiti's Freedom
Toussaint L'Ouverture was a freed slave who became general of a Haitian slave army that rose up against the French in 1791, liberating the country. These captivating illustrations by Jacob Lawrence, paired with text by Newbery Honor author Walter Dean Myers, open the doors to Haiti's early history. Full color.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published December 31, 1996
2 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
About the author
Walter Dean Myers
224 books1,195 followerspseudonyms:
Stacie Williams
Stacie Johnson
Walter Dean Myers was born on August 12, 1937 in Martinsburg, West Virginia but moved to Harlem with his foster parents at age three. He was brought up and went to public school there. He attended Stuyvesant High School until the age of seventeen when he joined the army.
After serving four years in the army, he worked at various jobs and earned a BA from Empire State College. He wrote full time after 1977.
Walter wrote from childhood, first finding success in 1969 when he won the Council on Interracial Books for Children contest, which resulted in the publication of his first book for children, Where Does the Day Go?, by Parent's Magazine Press. He published over seventy books for children and young adults. He received many awards for his work in this field including the Coretta Scott King Award, five times. Two of his books were awarded Newbery Honors. He was awarded the Margaret A. Edwards Award and the Virginia Hamilton Award. For one of his books, Monster, he received the first Michael Printz Award for Young Adult literature awarded by the American Library Association. Monster and Autobiography of My Dead Brother were selected as National Book Award Finalists.
In addition to the publication of his books, Walter contributed to educational and literary publications. He visited schools to speak to children, teachers, librarians, and parents. For three years he led a writing workshop for children in a school in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Walter Dean Myers was married, had three grown children and lived in Jersey City, New Jersey. He died on July 1, 2014, following a brief illness. He was 76 years old.
Stacie Williams
Stacie Johnson
Walter Dean Myers was born on August 12, 1937 in Martinsburg, West Virginia but moved to Harlem with his foster parents at age three. He was brought up and went to public school there. He attended Stuyvesant High School until the age of seventeen when he joined the army.
After serving four years in the army, he worked at various jobs and earned a BA from Empire State College. He wrote full time after 1977.
Walter wrote from childhood, first finding success in 1969 when he won the Council on Interracial Books for Children contest, which resulted in the publication of his first book for children, Where Does the Day Go?, by Parent's Magazine Press. He published over seventy books for children and young adults. He received many awards for his work in this field including the Coretta Scott King Award, five times. Two of his books were awarded Newbery Honors. He was awarded the Margaret A. Edwards Award and the Virginia Hamilton Award. For one of his books, Monster, he received the first Michael Printz Award for Young Adult literature awarded by the American Library Association. Monster and Autobiography of My Dead Brother were selected as National Book Award Finalists.
In addition to the publication of his books, Walter contributed to educational and literary publications. He visited schools to speak to children, teachers, librarians, and parents. For three years he led a writing workshop for children in a school in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Walter Dean Myers was married, had three grown children and lived in Jersey City, New Jersey. He died on July 1, 2014, following a brief illness. He was 76 years old.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 24, 2020
Although this picture-book "biography" does give the general outline of Toussaint L'Ouverture's life - supplied by award-winning young adult author, Walter Dean Myers - it seems more of a vehicle for famed African-American artist Jacob Lawrence's tempera paintings on the subject, first exhibited in 1940 at the Chicago Negro Exhibition, and currently held by the Amistad Research Center, at Tulane University in New Orleans. The original forty-one paintings, all reproduced in Toussaint L'ouverture: The Fight for Haiti's Freedom, tell the story of the Haitian rebel who, in 1791, joined the great slave uprising on the French-held Saint Domingue, rising through the ranks to become a leader.
Lawrence's artwork is compelling, with subtle black, brown, and red tones all intertwined, and figures that seem always to be moving. There is something a little grotesque in many of his figures, making the depiction of violence powerfully disturbing. Myer's narrative flows well, but it is the illustrations which really speak - leaping off the page, and grabbing the reader's attention. Highly recommended, to anyone with an interest in Jacob Lawrence's work, or to anyone looking for an introductory children's book on this important revolutionary figure.
Lawrence's artwork is compelling, with subtle black, brown, and red tones all intertwined, and figures that seem always to be moving. There is something a little grotesque in many of his figures, making the depiction of violence powerfully disturbing. Myer's narrative flows well, but it is the illustrations which really speak - leaping off the page, and grabbing the reader's attention. Highly recommended, to anyone with an interest in Jacob Lawrence's work, or to anyone looking for an introductory children's book on this important revolutionary figure.
April 19, 2012
This is a great story of Toussaint L'Ouverture. The Illustrations are remarkable and very detailed. The story is not for young readers. Perhaps this book is for students who are at least 8 years of age, due to the cruelty that is depicted in the book. The book tells a story of L'Ouverture in a roundabout, very general way. The pictures captures the rebels life great. The pictures are dark yet full of color. I would use this book for a quick history lesson about other countries.
June 10, 2025
An amazing story with award-winning illustrations. A piece of history we don't learn in American history textbooks!
October 17, 2024
”In a fierce battle against the French, Toussaint forced an opening in their ranks to gain a victory. After that battle he took the name L'Ouverture, which means ‘the opener.’ Toussaint's well-organized fighters were a match for even the highly trained French soldiers.”
Walter Dean Myers does a good enough job of writing a digestible biography of Toussaint L’Ouverture, but the star of the show is Jacob Lawrence’s paintings which are always an absolute delight to look at. Great stuff!
Walter Dean Myers does a good enough job of writing a digestible biography of Toussaint L’Ouverture, but the star of the show is Jacob Lawrence’s paintings which are always an absolute delight to look at. Great stuff!
July 15, 2013
1. Myers, Walter Dean, and Jacob Lawrence.Toussaint L'Ouverture: the fight for Haiti's freedom. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1996. Print.
2. 0689801262 $15.00
3. VASOL EPF.1 a-f, WHII.7 a-d
4. November 1, 1996 School Library Journal http://bookverdict.com/search.xqy?sea...
5. This is a non-fiction picture book based on the paintings of Jacob Lawrence. The Haitian Revolution is detailed in 41 tempera paintings with narration by Walter Dean Meyers. The writing is clear and concise and the episodes depicted effectively illustrate Touissant’s life and struggle.
I would place this book in the hands of an upper elementary or middle school student as some of the scenes are rather graphic and some of the connections that Meyers makes may be confusing to students with no background on the subject.
This book can be chosen for the library on the basis of authority. Jacob Lawrence is an internationally respected artist and Walter Dean Meyers is a two-time Newberry Award winner. This book can also be selected on the basis of literary merit as the artwork is of stunningly wonderful quality. Last, this book can be chosen on the basis of accuracy. The events depicted are factually correct and the book is timely given the recent earthquake.
6. These books can be paired together on the basis of theme as they share the Haitian Revolution as subject matter. In addition, they can be paired on the basis of supporting interest. In Darkness addresses the rise of Toussaint L'Ouverture and his part in the revolution and this book provides a different and more detailed view of those events. Last, this pairing will develop background knowledge as it fills in and illustrates some gaps in the novel In Darkness.
2. 0689801262 $15.00
3. VASOL EPF.1 a-f, WHII.7 a-d
4. November 1, 1996 School Library Journal http://bookverdict.com/search.xqy?sea...
5. This is a non-fiction picture book based on the paintings of Jacob Lawrence. The Haitian Revolution is detailed in 41 tempera paintings with narration by Walter Dean Meyers. The writing is clear and concise and the episodes depicted effectively illustrate Touissant’s life and struggle.
I would place this book in the hands of an upper elementary or middle school student as some of the scenes are rather graphic and some of the connections that Meyers makes may be confusing to students with no background on the subject.
This book can be chosen for the library on the basis of authority. Jacob Lawrence is an internationally respected artist and Walter Dean Meyers is a two-time Newberry Award winner. This book can also be selected on the basis of literary merit as the artwork is of stunningly wonderful quality. Last, this book can be chosen on the basis of accuracy. The events depicted are factually correct and the book is timely given the recent earthquake.
6. These books can be paired together on the basis of theme as they share the Haitian Revolution as subject matter. In addition, they can be paired on the basis of supporting interest. In Darkness addresses the rise of Toussaint L'Ouverture and his part in the revolution and this book provides a different and more detailed view of those events. Last, this pairing will develop background knowledge as it fills in and illustrates some gaps in the novel In Darkness.
May 15, 2010
Written by Walter Dean Myers, and illustrated by Jacob Lawrence, y’all! ‘Nuf said. It’s a beautiful book with a great story. There are depictions of cruelty, so I wouldn’t share this book with very young readers. There are two juicy elements to be found within its pages: Lawrence describes how street orators would relate historical stories on the street corners of Harlem in the book’s introductions; and I was struck how becoming literate in French (as opposed to English) probably influenced the different approach to freedom for the slaves of Haiti.
Sometimes when a person signs up for singing lessons, the coach asks what vocalist has the style you want to emulate. If I could become a big hitter vocally, I’d be torn between the angelic (Battle, Te Kanawa) and the profane (Dinah, Koko). However, if I could paint, I’d want to paint like Lawrence. If you’re unfamiliar with his work, get thee to Harlem or New Orleans stat to view it in person. Or, read this book.
Sometimes when a person signs up for singing lessons, the coach asks what vocalist has the style you want to emulate. If I could become a big hitter vocally, I’d be torn between the angelic (Battle, Te Kanawa) and the profane (Dinah, Koko). However, if I could paint, I’d want to paint like Lawrence. If you’re unfamiliar with his work, get thee to Harlem or New Orleans stat to view it in person. Or, read this book.
April 26, 2013
This is a nonfiction picturebook about Toussaint L'Ouverture and his fight to free Haiti of slavery. It is a good book to pair with the novel In Darkness by Nick Lake because Toussaint is one of the main characters in the novel. It would give the students a deeper understanding of what is going on in the novel.
September 9, 2016
I had never heard of Toussaint L’Ouverture before reading this book and I hope I can find some more information on this remarkable man who fought for his and his fellow Haitian slaves against their French oppressors in 1791. Walter Dean Myer’s writing was, as always, powerful and captivating. Jacob Lawrence’s art is not anything I personally enjoy, but fit well with the story.
August 10, 2016
Wonderful introduction for a child to the world of slave rebellions, an often overlooked piece of the Afrikan experience. Such a powerful and inspiring story full of classic images that lends to the fight and determination that continues even in the absence of a leader.
February 11, 2016
Reserved this sight unseen from the local library since I was looking for a history of the Hatian Revolution . Did not realize it was a child's book. That being said it is wonderfully illustrated and has a perfect albeit simplistic biography of the father of modern day Haiti
May 3, 2014
The history of Toussaint L'Ouverture and how he fought for Haiti's freedom. This book has amazing illustrations by artist Jacob Lawrence from the 1930's.
May 9, 2016
Beautiful brightly colored illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews