William Still and His Freedom Stories: Father of the Underground Railroad

Author: Don Tate

Illustrator: Don Tate

Published: November 1, 2020

Publisher: Peachtree Publishing

The remarkable, little-known story of William Still, known as the Father of the Underground Railroad from award-winning author-illustrator Don Tate

William Still’s parents escaped slavery but had to leave two of their children behind, a tragedy that haunted the family. As a young man, William went to work for the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society, where he raised money, planned rescues, and helped freedom seekers who had traveled north. And then one day, a strangely familiar man came into William’s office, searching for information about his long-lost family. Could it be?

Motivated by his own family’s experience, William began collecting the stories of thousands of other freedom seekers. As a result, he was able to reunite other families and build a remarkable source of information, including encounters with Harriet Tubman, Henry “Box” Brown, and William and Ellen Craft.

Don Tate brings to life the incredible true story of William Still’s life and work as a record keeper of enslaved people who had fled to freedom. Tate’s powerful words and artwork are sure to inspire readers in this first-ever picture book biography of the Father of the Underground Railroad.

RESOURCES

Click here to download the Activity Guide (CCSS Annotated).

REVIEWS

• Kirkus

“Tate’s sentences are often short, underscoring Still’s effort and drive; when they occasionally lengthen, they land with a punch… His paintings often likewise play out in vignettes that capture action over time then linger lovingly on the expressive faces of his characters. Brings deserved attention to the life of a man who dedicated himself to recording the lives of others.”
**STARRED REVIEW**

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• School Library Journal

“Gentle and straightforward prose… The text recounts the oppression and dehumanization of slavery but is not too graphic for the target age demographic…. Tate’s expressive, colorful illustrations work well with the text to convey this important part of American history…. This inspirational true story combines fact with a very readable narrative, spotlighting a pivotal figure in the abolitionist movement. A book that deserves a place on school and public library shelves.”
**STARRED REVIEW**

• Booklist

“The digital illustrations portray [Still] effectively from infancy to old age…. In this concisely written, informative picture-book biography, Tate introduces a man who deserves to be more widely known.” 

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AWARDS & HONORS

Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book —Chicago Public Library, 2020

Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Book Award Silver Honor —California Reading Association, 2020

Best of Picture Books —Kirkus Reviews, 2020