BY JEN BRYANT
Published by Knopf Books for young readers
“Pictures just come to my mind…and I tell my heart to go ahead.”
Horace Pippin loved to draw 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 wounded. Would he ever draw again? Bryant & Sweet share the story of a self-taught artist who overcame poverty, racism, disability and war to become an American master.
This award-winning biography can be found at local independent bookstores, through IndieBound, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, or in your local library.
FOR EDUCATORS: The Classroom Bookshelf created a detailed and valuable resource guide including references, links, as well as curriculum activities Thinking in Pictures, Teaching Ideas and Invitations, and more, for grades kindergarten and up.
Who was Horace Pippin? Here’s a video to find out more.
ALA Sibert Medal
Schneider Family Book Award
ALA-ALSC Notable Children's Book
Bank Street College Children's Book of the Year
NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
Booklist Books for Youth Editors' Choice
“Quotations from Pippin about the psychological scars of war and his artistic process are hand-drawn into Sweet’s images, underscoring how art was not only a joyful outlet for Pippin, but also a vital means of interpreting the world. ”
“This outstanding portrait of African-American artist Horace Pippin (1888-1946) allows Pippin’s work to shine—and his heart too.”
“Bryant’s meticulously researched, eloquent text makes this a winning read-aloud, while Sweet’s vibrant, folksy illustrations, rendered in watercolor, gouache, and mixed media, portray the joys and hardships of the man’s life, using his trademark palette…with just a splash of red.”
“…a well-structured narrative with recurring themes and a highly accessible style…outstanding. ”
