Radiant Child

Amazon Best Book of November 2016*”Vibrant colors and personal symbols channel the ‘sloppy, ugly, and sometimes weird, but somehow still BEAUTIFUL’ paintings, incorporating meticulously attributed collage elements and capturing the artist’s energy and mystery. Stellar bookmarking–a riveting portrait of a young artist.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)*”In this visually arresting and vibrantly narrated biography, Steptoe…emulates 1980s street art by layering paint, paper scraps, paint tubes, and photos on found-wood panels…. Steptoe downplays tragic elements, instead celebrating Basquiat’s irreverance and brilliance.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)*”Javaka Steptoe is the perfect person to create this book: a tour de force that will introduce an important artist to a new generation.”—The Horn Book (starred review)*”One extraordinary artist illuminates another in this textured, heartfelt picture book biography…. Pairing simple text with expressive, encompassing illustrations, this excellent title offers a new generation a fittingly powerful introduction to an artistic luminary.”—School Library Journal (starred review)* “This is a beautifully illustrated biography…[and] an excellent read aloud, especially in the art classroom.”—School Library Connection (starred review)* “A lively, engaging introduction to a one-of-a-kind artist perfect for art-loving kids…. An excellent read-aloud.”—Booklist, starred review“Vibrantly colored, humming with energy, Javaka Steptoe’s paintings evoke the style of Jean-Michel Basquiat.”—Virginian-Pilot“Steptoe tells a complex story in simple child-appropriate language and illustrates it with paintings brimming with joy, sorrow and outsized inspiration.”—Chicago Tribune“Art need not be neat to be beautiful, a message underscored by this boldly beautiful bio of a 1980s phenom.”—San Francisco Tribune