Molly Bannaky

On November 9, 1731, American astronomer, mathematician, clockmaker, and surveyor, Benjamin Banneker, called “the first black man of science,” was born in Elliott’s Mills, Maryland. Banneker published an almanac, becoming the first black man to do so. His life has been frequently presented in books for children, including Andrea Davis Pinkney’s Dear Benjamin Banneker.

When I was Publisher of Children’s Books at Houghton Mifflin, one day I picked up a small manuscript, just three pages in length, which literally sent a chill down my spine. It presented the story of Benjamin Banneker in a way that I had not encountered, told by African-American storyteller and authorAlice McGill.

The finished book, Molly Bannaky, still gives me chills. Molly Walsh, a servant girl in England, spills her lord’s milk and is sentenced in a court of law. Because she can “take the book,” or read from the Bible, she is not executed but sent as an indentured servant to the colonies. There Molly works hard, becomes a free woman, and heads out to start her own farm close to the wilderness. But she needs help and, consequently, she buys an African slave, promising to free him after a period of time. After they fall in love, Molly once again breaks the law by marrying a black man. However, the couple gains the acceptance of their community; they help neighbors and raise their children and grandchildren. In the final scene, we see Molly teaching her grandson how to read and recording his name in the family Bible—Benjamin Banneker.

By telling Molly’s story, Alice McGill examines an aspect of Colonial America that rarely gets discussed in children’s books, the life of an interracial couple. As the grandson of a slave, Benjamin Banneker would have been denied access to books. But because of his grandmother, he received the gift that he needed to become an intellectual—the ability to read.

Artist Chris Soentpiet extends the story in his luminous watercolors. A large-format book, the characters seem bigger than life, their story bold and important. Chris delights in historic research, the telling detail of a composition. The book makes it possible for children to feel they have walked back into Colonial America. A spare, lyrical text, lush and vibrant artwork, and an important story from a different point of view all add to the power of Molly Bannaky.

Happy birthday Benjamin Banneker. I’d like to celebrate this day by recognizing all the grandparents who have kept literacy alive in their family. They have truly made a difference, not only in their own families but also to the world.

Here’s a page from Molly Bannaky: