Radiant Child: The story of young artist Jean- Michel Basquiat

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Title: Radiant Child 

Genre: Biography 

Author: Javaka Steptoe

Awards: Caldecott Medal 

Age Group: 4 to 8 year olds


Teacher Evaluation:

As a teacher, I think this book would be a good book to read if you're doing a biography on Jean-Michel because it gives the reader a nice biography over his journey to becoming a famous artist. It also shows a different type of picture/illustration style while showing us Jean-Michel''s art style. 

Summary:

In this book we learn about Jean-Michel and how he started off as a little boy with a dream to become a big artist. We learn that his art inspiration comes from his mother, Matilde, a Puerto Rican woman and how she draws with him. She is the one who taught him that art isn't just the normal things we think about like books, museums, theaters but it's also in the games children play or the words they speak. With his mom while visiting museums Jean-Michel learns the most important thing, what it means to be a famous artist. Along the way he learned that art can also be healing and has a healing quality to it. As he gets older his mom's mental health deteriorates and she no longer can live at home with him but she still visits her as he continues to get older and promises to her that he'll be a famous artist one day. He eventually moves to NYC to find his place and become a famous artist. This is where he creates and alias "Samoo" who has become famous and his art can be found on the streets and on gallery's. Jean-Michel does become a famous artist like he promised his mom and always find time to visit her and honor her through his art and shows.  

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