Barefoot
Escape on the Underground Railroad
In the dark of the night a Barefoot, an escaped slave, flees for his life. With his pursuers close behind and the moon shrouded in clouds, Barefoot must rely on the wisdom of the wild animals of the forest and swamp to guide him to the safety of the underground railroad.
Innovative perspective and use of light and a spare text result in an unforgettable portrayal of one slave's journey to freedom.
Reviews
"Cole's nocturnal illustrations are suitably dark yet they are not difficult to see, and they use light effectively to focus viewers' eyes on specific parts of the picture. Readers will feel as if they are in the swamp with the runaway, their eyes gradually becoming aware of nuances of the scene as they adjust to the darkness. Another outstanding collaboration from the duo responsible for Some Smug Slug." —School Library Journal
"A taut, involving narrative and dramatic, shadow-filled full-spread art" adopt woodland animals' perspectives to tell of a runaway slave's flight" —Publishers Weekly