Follow the Drinking Gourd

Before the Civil War, Peg Leg Joe traveled from one plantation to another, trying to help the slaves. He hired himself out as a farm hand, then taught the slaves a song to help them find the Underground Railroad heading north, by following the ``drinking gourd'' of the Big Dipper. On trees or rocks, he scratched his signa foot and peg markto point the way. A story unfolds about five slaves who made it to Canada using the stars, Peg Leg's sign and the help of Quakers and farmers along the way. Told in a few, poetic words (and the lines of the song), the text is set off with highly dramatic illustrations, with the flat perspectives that are characteristic of primitive art. Yet the expressiveness of the figures perfectly conveys the fear, dread and hope that inspired people to make the run for freedom. With a clarity of language suitable for preschoolers, the book will also be of value to older children. Ages 5-9. (Nov . )