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lattelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
Big Jabe is larger than life--he's almost a mythical creature, having been found in a river and causing all the fish to land in Addy's basket. As he grows older, he gains the strength of many men, can complete day-long tasks in just one morning, and begins to create an unrest for the plantation owners--and when the plantation owners begin to get angry, Jabe creates a solution that is as believable as it is not. Nolan's narrative is folkloric, and Nelson's illustrations are realistic, creating a jarring blend between what might be real and what might not be. It's a beautiful book filled with power, community, and salvation. I think this is an oft-overlooked book, and it needs to be brought closer to the forefront.
Review cross-listed here!
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cswirl1's review against another edition
Big Jabe is a wonderfully imaginative story about slavery and freedom. Jabe is a slave who comes to Plenty Plantation in a wicker basket. When he is pulled out of the river he plants some pear seeds in the ground and almost overnight they grow into a big and beautiful pear tree. He helps the slaves of the Plantation by making their work easier for them. When Mr. Sorenson, the overseer of the plantation, gets angry and he can not punish Jabe, he punishes the other slaves on the plantation. After he beats them, the mysteriously go missing. "Jabe has taken them to the pear tree," Addy, the slave who found Jabe, says to the other slaves. Jabe eventually disappears too.
This story was well written and beautiful illustrated. When I was reading about the book I realized that the same man who illustrated Henry's Freedom Box also did the paintings for this book. After I realized this I found that they are very similar feel and artistic style. When you look at the pictures you can see the same crosshatching and watercolor overlay as in Henry's Freedom Box .
The only problem that I had with this story was the historical aspect. I enjoyed the books story and the mysterious tone to it, but part of me wishes that it had a little more historical views.
This story was well written and beautiful illustrated. When I was reading about the book I realized that the same man who illustrated Henry's Freedom Box also did the paintings for this book. After I realized this I found that they are very similar feel and artistic style. When you look at the pictures you can see the same crosshatching and watercolor overlay as in Henry's Freedom Box .
The only problem that I had with this story was the historical aspect. I enjoyed the books story and the mysterious tone to it, but part of me wishes that it had a little more historical views.
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