Javaka Steptoe first thought of doing a book on Basquiat following a visit to see an exhibit on the artist at the Brooklyn Museum, whose trash Steptoe would use while illustrating the book.[1][2] He was drawn to Basquiat by the "energy" of Basquiat's work and a feeling that many in the art world scorn his work and put it down as graffiti.[2] Steptoe also felt a connection through New York and between the art of Basquiat and that of his parents, both of whom were artists.[2] He particularly credits the way his father, Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King award-winning artist John Steptoe, introduced him to the concept of considering diversity through the metaphor of windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors.[2] It took five or six years for Steptoe to write the book, which included incorporating new information about Basquiat when it became known.[2]
NarrativeEdit
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.
IllustrationsEdit
The illustrations are meant to invoke Basquiat's artistic style with Steptoe's and were painted on found wood.[3] This blending was made easier by the similarity of their styles and also allowed Steptoe to include several of Basquiat's motifs[4] and what the book calls Basquiat's, "sloppy, ugly, and sometimes weird, but somehow still BEAUTIFUL" creations.[5] The use of found materials "add rich texture and interesting imperfections to Steptoe’s illustrations."[1]
Reception & AwardsEdit
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."[3] 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."[6] The book also received starred reviews in Kirkus Reviews,[5] the Horn Book Guide,[4]Publishers Weekly,[7] and School Library Connection.[8] Elizabeth Bush, however, in The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books criticized the lack of Basquiat's own art, even in the book's bibliography.[9]
The American Library Association awarded the book the 2017 Caldecott Medal, given annually to the best American Picture book,[10] 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.[11] Immediately following these awards the book sold an additional 1,100 copies.[12] 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."[11]
Impact on SteptoeEdit
The Caldecott win came as a surprise as he felt other books had seemed more likely winners.[13] During his Coretta Scott King acceptance speech Steptoe reflected on the ways he had grown as an artist over his career and the inspirations and reasons he was able to be so successful in creating Radiant Child.[14] Steptoe has remarked that these wins, in particular the Caldecott Medal, helped to ensure the black experience was seen and black voices would be heard and served as a platform for him to be heard.[2][15][13] The author/illustrator has also seen the impact that his depiction of Basquiat's mother's mental illness has had on children.[1]
radiant, child, story, young, artist, jean, michel, basquiat, 2016, picture, book, biography, javaka, steptoe, about, jean, michel, basquiat, using, style, similar, basquiat, book, tells, story, childhood, early, career, 2017, caldecott, medal, coretta, scott,. 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 Radiant Child The Story of Young Artist Jean Michel BasquiatAuthorJavaka SteptoePublisherLittle Brown and CompanyPublication dateOctober 25 2016Pages40AwardsCaldecott Medal Coretta Scott King Illustrator AwardISBN978 0 316 21388 2OCLC991475987Websitehttp littlebrownlibrary com radiant child Contents 1 Conception 2 Narrative 3 Illustrations 4 Reception amp Awards 4 1 Impact on Steptoe 5 See also 6 ReferencesConception EditJavaka Steptoe first thought of doing a book on Basquiat following a visit to see an exhibit on the artist at the Brooklyn Museum whose trash Steptoe would use while illustrating the book 1 2 He was drawn to Basquiat by the energy of Basquiat s work and a feeling that many in the art world scorn his work and put it down as graffiti 2 Steptoe also felt a connection through New York and between the art of Basquiat and that of his parents both of whom were artists 2 He particularly credits the way his father Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King award winning artist John Steptoe introduced him to the concept of considering diversity through the metaphor of windows mirrors and sliding glass doors 2 It took five or six years for Steptoe to write the book which included incorporating new information about Basquiat when it became known 2 Narrative EditThe 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 EditThe illustrations are meant to invoke Basquiat s artistic style with Steptoe s and were painted on found wood 3 This blending was made easier by the similarity of their styles and also allowed Steptoe to include several of Basquiat s motifs 4 and what the book calls Basquiat s sloppy ugly and sometimes weird but somehow still BEAUTIFUL creations 5 The use of found materials add rich texture and interesting imperfections to Steptoe s illustrations 1 Reception amp Awards EditThe 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 3 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 6 The book also received starred reviews in Kirkus Reviews 5 the Horn Book Guide 4 Publishers Weekly 7 and School Library Connection 8 Elizabeth Bush however in The Bulletin of the Center for Children s Books criticized the lack of Basquiat s own art even in the book s bibliography 9 The American Library Association awarded the book the 2017 Caldecott Medal given annually to the best American Picture book 10 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 11 Immediately following these awards the book sold an additional 1 100 copies 12 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 11 Impact on Steptoe Edit The Caldecott win came as a surprise as he felt other books had seemed more likely winners 13 During his Coretta Scott King acceptance speech Steptoe reflected on the ways he had grown as an artist over his career and the inspirations and reasons he was able to be so successful in creating Radiant Child 14 Steptoe has remarked that these wins in particular the Caldecott Medal helped to ensure the black experience was seen and black voices would be heard and served as a platform for him to be heard 2 15 13 The author illustrator has also seen the impact that his depiction of Basquiat s mother s mental illness has had on children 1 See also EditList of paintings by Jean Michel BasquiatReferences Edit nbsp Children s literature portal a b c Gish Sarah 2017 04 23 Basquiat for kids Caldecott winner Javaka Steptoe brings Radiant Child to LitFestKC kansascity star Retrieved 2018 12 28 a b c d e f Auman Chris 2017 06 16 An Interview with Javaka Steptoe 2017 Caldecott Medal Winner Skokie Public Library Retrieved 2018 12 28 a b Hunter Sarah 2016 09 15 Radiant Child review Booklist 113 2 48 a b Robinson Lolly November December 2016 Radiant Child Horn Book a b Radiant Child Review Kirkus August 1 2016 20 July 2016 Retrieved 27 April 2018 Friedman Robinn August 2016 Radiant Child School Library Journal Retrieved 27 April 2018 Radiant Child Publishers Weekly August 8 2016 Radiant Child School Library Connection January 2017 Bush E 2016 Radiant Child The Story of Young Artist Jean Michel Basquiat by Javaka Steptoe review Bulletin of the Center for Children s Books 70 4 195 196 Johns Hopkins University Press Retrieved December 28 2018 from Project MUSE database Barron Christina 23 January 2017 The Girl Who Drank the Moon wins 2017 Newbery Medal Washington Post Retrieved 27 April 2018 a b Radiant Child The Story of Young Artist Jean Michel Basquiat Awards amp Grants American Library Association Retrieved 27 April 2018 Juris Carolyn This Week s Bestsellers February 6 2017 PublishersWeekly com Retrieved 2018 12 28 a b Maughan Shannon 2017 01 23 A Very Incredible Day Javaka Steptoe on His 2017 Caldecott Medal www publishersweekly com Retrieved 2018 12 28 Steptoe J 2017 CSK Illustrator Award Acceptance Horn Book Magazine 93 4 72 77 Retrieved from EBSCO Thompson A 2017 Javaka Steptoe Horn Book Magazine 93 4 69 71 Retrieved from ebscohost AwardsPreceded byFinding Winnie Caldecott Medal2017 Succeeded byWolf in the SnowPreceded byTrombone Shorty Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award2017 Succeeded byOut of Wonder Poems Celebrating Poets Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Radiant Child The Story of Young Artist Jean Michel Basquiat amp oldid 1157923030, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
