Climbing Jacob's Ladder Heroes of the Bible in African-American Spirituals

Climbing Jacob's Ladder is John Langstaff's work celebrating heroes of the bible in African-American Spirituals.

An illustrated collection of black spirituals about Old Testament heroes in which "naive, lively illustrations in brilliant hues depict the Biblical figures as African-Americans might have imagined them, in their own image and likeness, in shades ranging from cafe au lait to molasses." (Patricia Dooley, University of Washington, Seattle)

John Meredith Langstaff (1920–2005) was a music educator and author who created the Christmas Revels and wrote the Caldecott Medal–winning children’s book Frog Went A-Courtin’.

Ashley Bryan (1923–2022) grew up to the sound of his mother singing from morning to night, and he shared the joy of song with children. A beloved illustrator, he was named a Newbery Honoree for his picture book, Freedom Over Me. He also received the Coretta Scott King—Virginia Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award; the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award; was a May Hill Arbuthnot lecturer; a Coretta Scott King Award winner; and the recipient of countless other awards and recognitions. His books include Freedom Over Me; Sail Away; Beautiful Blackbird; Beat the Story-Drum, Pum Pum; Let It Shine; Ashley Bryan’s Book of Puppets; and What a Wonderful World. He lived in Islesford, one of the Cranberry Isles off the coast of Maine.