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“Art doesn‘t have to be neat—it just has to be true.”

“An electrifying portrait of a young artist whose creativity changed the world.“

A visually stunning biography that captures the vibrant, complex life of Jean-Michel Basquiat, this book celebrates the creativity and perseverance of a groundbreaking artist who redefined art in his unique style.

biography - published in 2016. Radiant Child is a heartfelt and vibrant picture book about the childhood and life of Puerto Rican-Haitian American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Written for young children, it celebrates Basquiat's art and traces the early steps of his artistic formation, as he makes his way toward the pinnacle of fame.

I really enjoyed this book and feel that children can learn a lot from it. It tells of an inspiring story of Jean-Michel Basquiat who was a great artist. It teaches to embrace uniqueness and creativity which is so important for young children.
Published 2016
Caldecott winner

Radiant Child by Javaka Steptoe, 2016. Caldecott Award Winner. This book shows the rise of the young artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. It shows the relationship he had with his mother and the hardships he faced. The illustrations are a beautiful acrylic paint work I would assume. Wonderful story with an important message.

“They are sloppy, ugly, and sometimes weird, but somehow still beautiful.“

This is an important story about having good and bad times, facing hardships but still pushing for what means the most to you. A story that is important for children to hear.

This book was published in 2016. This book follows the life and shows the rise of the young artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. It shows the relationship he had with his mother and the hardships he faced. The illustrations are done in a realistic way but also have a unique style to them, done by painting. They're almost like grids on each page.

“Jean-Michel's art comes from his heart, from his mother, who taught him that art is not only in museums but everywhere.“

This is a great book to introduce discussions about artists from diverse backgrounds and help students appreciate cultural representation in the arts. Since it is a biography, it could also be used to help teach students about non-fiction storytelling and real-life figures.

This book was published in 2016 and it is a picture book biography. It has also won the Caldecott medal. This book captures the journey of Basquiat, an artist who is known for his raw and expressive art. In this book, the author talks about Basquiat's early life and talks about his determination to turn his creative dreams into reality despite what life throws at him.

“Art is the street games of little children, in our style and the words that we speak.”

This book provides great imagery through its unique illustrations and powerful writing.

Radiant Child by Javaka Steptoe. Was Published in 2016. Caldecott Award Winner. This book shows the rise of the young artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. It shows the relationship he had with his mother and the hardships he faced. The illustrations are a beautiful acrylic paint work I would assume. Wonderful story with an important message.

“People describe him as radiant, wild, genius child, but in his heart he is king, so he draws crowns for himself and others he admires.“

In this book, acclaimed illustrator Javaka Steptoe's vibrant narrative and bold artwork, reminiscent of Basquiat's own style, introduce young readers to the profound idea that art doesn't always conform to neatness or cleanliness—and certainly not within the lines—to be considered beautiful.

Jean-Michel Basquiat rose to prominence in the 1980s with his distinctive, collage-style paintings, creating a cultural sensation that was unparalleled in the art world. However, before achieving fame, he was a young boy who discovered art in various forms: within poetry books and museums, through games and the language we use, and in the vibrant pulse of New York City.

“And at his most important shows, above all the critics, fans, and artists he admires, the place of honor is his mother's, a queen on a throne. He is now a famous artist!“

The illustrations are very unique and will keep readers of all ages engaged. I do think it is written more for younger readers as it is very to the point about the different experiences in his life. I think this could be used as a read-aloud to teach students that no matter where you come from or what your dreams are, you can get to where you want to be.

This biography is about Jean-Michel Basquiat and how he grew up in Brooklyn and always wanted to become an artist. Follows his life as he moves out and into NYC and has to couch hop because he cannot financially support himself. The story is told in the third person and details all of the hardships he endured but finally came out as a household name. There is also a great detailed description to learn more about him at the end of the book.

As Jean-Michel grows older, he visits his mother when he can, always bringing his artwork to show, telling her that one day it will be in a museum, “WHEN I AM A FAMOUS ARTIST.“

This book is eye opening for many children. This gives children hope that their dreams can come true if they work hard towards their end goal. Supporting yourself around people who support your dreams and goals is a huge motivational boost.

Radiant Child by Javaka Steptoe. Caldecott Award Winning Medal. Jean-Michel Basquiat is a young boy who has a dream of becoming an artist. He drew pictures of everything he saw and he did it all on the floor of his home. He always would tell his mother that his drawings and sketches would end up in a museum some day.

Caldecott Medal 2017
Review:
This story has incredible artwork. It follows the story of a young child wanting to create art throughout hardships, and has a focus on art not always having to be tidy or just like everyone elses.
Blurb:
This would be a great book for 2-6. It tells the story of Basquiat
Quote:
“His drawings are not neat or clean, nor does he color inside the lines. They are sloppy, ugly, and sometimes weird, but still B E A T I FU L.“

“ART is the street games of little children, in our style and the words that we speak. It is how the messy patchwork of the city creates new meaning for ordinary things“

Radiant Child by Javaaka Steptoe was published in 2016. It is a Caldecott Award Winning Book in 2017. The book follows the story of Jean-Michel a young aspiring artist in Brooklyn, later known as SAMO. The colorful, unique illustrations help readers depict how Jean-Michel is feeling as the story progresses. This book discusses how Jean-Michel used art and following his dreams to get through different hardships and relationships.

This Caldecott and Coretta Scott King award winning book tells the story of Jean-Michel Basquiat, an artist I dearly admire! This book would be great for a read aloud or reader‘s theater! UDL principles 8.3 and 8.1. ESOL strategies #8 and #4 #ucflae3414sp21