Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat

Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat
Author Javaka Steptoe
Publisher Little, Brown and Company
Publication date
 October 25, 2016
Pages 40
Awards Caldecott Medal Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award
ISBN 978-0-316-21388-2
OCLC 991475987
Website http://littlebrownlibrary.com/radiant-child/

Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat is a 2016 picture book biography by Javaka Steptoe about Jean-Michel Basquiat. Using a style similar to Basquiat's, the book tells the story of his childhood and early career. It won the 2017 Caldecott Medal and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award for its illustrations.

Narrative

The story tells of Basquiat's connection to art and his journey towards becoming an artist. The book begins with Basquiat's childhood in Brooklyn where he notices art all around him and enjoys its creation. It tells of his connection to his mother who leaves the home due to mental illness. As a teen Basquiat moves to the Lower East Side and begins as a street artist before moving into galleries. By the end of the book he has become a successful professional artist.

Illustrations

The illustrations are meant to invoke Basquiat's artistic style with Steptoe's and were painted on found wood.[1] This blending was made easier by the similarity of their styles and also allowed Steptoe to include several of Basquiat's motifs[2] and what the book calls Basquiat's, "sloppy, ugly, and sometimes weird, but somehow still BEAUTIFUL" creations.[3]

Reception & Awards

The book was well received by critics, including numerous starred reviews, and also received several awards. Booklist praised the, "lively, engaging introduction to a one-of-a-kind artist perfect for art-loving kids."[1] Similarly in a starred review Robbin E. Friedman writing for School Library Journal recommended the book, "Pairing simple text with expressive, encompassing illustrations this excellent title offers a new generation a fittingly powerful introduction to an artistic luminary."[4] The book also received starred reviews in Kirkus Reviews,[3] the Horn Book Guide,[5] Publishers Weekly,[6] and School Library Connection.[7]

The American Library Association awarded the book the 2017 Caldecott Medal, given annually to the best American Picture book,[8] and the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award, given to recognize children's books by African American authors and illustrators that reflect the African American experience.[9] In its' King Award citation the ALA, noted how the "collage style paintings with rich texture, bold colors and thick lines take readers on an emotional journey" and called the illustrations "striking."[9]

References

  1. 1 2 "Radiant Child review". Booklist. 113 (2)).
  2. ↑ Robinson, Lolly (November–December 2016). "Radiant Child". Horn Book Magazine.
  3. 1 2 "Radiant Child Review". Kirkus (August 1, 2016). 20 July 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  4. ↑ Friedman, Robinn (August 2016). "Radiant Child". School Library Journal. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  5. ↑ "Radiant Child". Horn Book. Spring 2017.
  6. ↑ "Radiant Child". Publishers Weekly. August 8, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Radiant Child". School Library Connection. January 2017.
  8. ↑ Barron, Christina (23 January 2017). "'The Girl Who Drank the Moon' wins 2017 Newbery Medal". Washington Post. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  9. 1 2 "Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat Awards & Grants". American Library Association. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
Awards
Preceded by
Finding Winnie		 Caldecott Medal
2017		 Succeeded by
Wolf in the Snow
Preceded by
Trombone Shorty		 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award
2017		 Succeeded by
Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets
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