A Splash of Red, The Life and Art of Horace Pippin - Jen Bryant

Illustrated by Melissa Sweet

2013, Alfred A. Knopf

HC $17.99 Carlisle's Bosler Library

32 pages

Goodreads rating: 4.26

My rating: 5

Endpapers: Front:  assorted illustrations of color palettes, etc.  Back:  a map of the US showing where you can see Pippin's art and three small paintings of Pippin's (nice to see his actual artwork)

Illustrations:  Funky, folky, wonderfully Melissa Sweet - covering the whole page with lots and lots to read and look at

1^st line: "On February 22, 1888, the town of West Chester Pennsylvania, celebrated a holiday.  That day, Daniel and Christine Pippin celebrated the birth of their son, Horace."

*TWO PAGES of afterwords, including information and all sorts of further reading including websites and films.

Goodreads:  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,

My reaction on Goodreads:  When I was in the Philadelphia Museum of Art a week or so ago I remember being quite taken with the art of Horace Pippin.  So when I saw this book - by a favorite author and illustrator - I was quite pleased.  My six-year old granddaughter said she really like the book.  When I asked her what she liked, she talked about how everyone asked Horace to draw for them.  I think she related to this, because she loves creating art for people.  We both loved the illustrations.  The words and pictures of this wonderful team (Bryant and Sweet) are truly special.  We read the book twice.