A Robert F. Sibert Honor Book
Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award
An ALA-ALSC Notable Children's Book
Winner of the NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
As a child in the late 1800s, Horace Pippin loved to draw: He loved the feel of the charcoal as it slid across the floor. He loved looking at something in the room and making it come alive again in front of him. He drew pictures for his sisters, his classmates, his co-workers. Even during W.W.I, Horace filled his notebooks with drawings from the trenches . . . until he was shot. Upon his return home, Horace couldn't lift his right arm, and couldn't make any art. Slowly, with lots of practice, he regained use of his arm, until once again, he was able to paint--and paint, and paint! Soon, people—including the famous painter N. C. Wyeth—started noticing Horace's art, and before long, his paintings were displayed in galleries and museums across the country.
Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet team up once again to share this inspiring story of a self-taught painter from humble beginnings who despite many obstacles, was ultimately able to do what he loved, and be recognized for who he was: an artist.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful.
A Picture Book Bio That Delivers
By Catherine Nichols
Author Jen Bryant and illustrator Melissa Sweet joined forces to create one of the best picture book bios I've read in a long, long time. All too often picture book bios leave me underwhelmed. They either are skimpy with the facts or too much information is crammed into 36 or so pages. A Splash of Red strikes just the right balance.Bryant does a superb job of getting at the essence of Horace Pippin, a self-taught artist who, after being wounded during WWI, reinvented himself as a painter. Pippin's early love of art, his thrill of winning an art contest as a boy, and his determination not to give up are dramatically told in clean, vigorous prose. Particularly interesting is that nowhere in this bio does Bryant mention that Pippin is a black man. Although obvious from the art, Pippin's standing as an determined artist is what's stressed, not his color.Sweet more than holds up her share of the partnership. Her illustrations mimic Pippin's folksy style, yet she brings her own sensibilities to the mix. Sweet includes Pippin's quotes into her artwork and she uses a combination of watercolor, gouache, and collage to obtain her effects.The book's back matter includes a historical note that gives a straightforward account of Pippin's life. There's also a list of resources for readers who'd like more information. Highly recommended.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful.Beautiful, Educational
By C. George
We got this to supplement our homeschool art curriculum. It is a beautiful book about an American artist many people probably haven't heard of. The illustrations are lovely and my 9 year old easily read it independently and wrote a report on it. Our girls, ages 4-6, enjoyed it as a read-aloud.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful.Inspiring story of African-American artist, Horace Pippin
By Z Hayes
I have to admit I was not familiar with Horace Pippin's name until I came across this picture book biography at the public library. My eight-year-old daughter loves to draw and paint, and was eager to read about how Horace became a famous artist.Horace's story is told in an engaging format, with lots of color illustrations by Caldecott Honor winner, Melissa Sweet. The narration begins with Horace's birth in West Chester, Pennsylvania, his move to Goshen, New York when he was three years old, and the development of his artistic skills. Horace was poor, leading a harsh life, yet he always found time to draw using pieces of charcoal. He even drew on his spelling lists at school, earning the displeasure of his teacher, but then Horace's father left the family, and Horace had to leave school to help support his family.The story moves along with Horace growing up into a young man who continues to work at various jobs to support his family, and then going off to join the military during WW I, and Horace gets shot in his shoulder. He is no longer able to draw or paint due to his injury, and settles down with his wife in West Chester. Yet, despite all the hardships and trauma, Horace yearns above all to draw again, and with this new-found motivation, Horace starts drawing.Horace Pippin's story is inspiring as it tells the story of a man, who despite life circumstances, was able to overcome difficulties and find the will to unleash his talent, a talent so beautiful, coming from deep within his soul, that he became known as an American master. The end of the book provides additional biographical information about Pippin and his works, and this engaging picture book biography makes Pippin's story accessible to younger readers, ages 5 and up.
