Harriet and the Promised Land

First published in 1968, this book has just as much impact today in representing the lives of slaves who "work for your master from your cradle to your grave." It's more mood piece than biography, and the simple rhyme plays a supporting role, allowing the reader to explore the story primarily through the powerfully symbolic art.

Jacob Lawrence uses strong, bold colors, and his partially abstract figures convey the universality of humankind. Art dominates each page, with white borders and a thin line. These lines sometimes encase the art and sometimes run off the page, creating movement in the illustrations.