Radiant child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat

A picture book and Coretta Scott King Award winner by Javaka Steptoe. Also, winner of the Randolph Caldecott Medal about artist Jean-Michel Basquiat an artist in the 1980s that had a distinctive style in collage-style painting. Moreover, Steptoe can imitate the style of Basquiat with a determined passion. The illustrations are dynamic and stimulating with spirited colors. As a young boy, Jean-Michel is a serious artist who dreams of being famous. His drawings are not neat or clean and he does not color inside the lines, but still, they are beautiful. He learns about art from his mother Matilde, a Puerto Rican woman. lies on the floor with Michel while he draws. She takes him to the art museums to learn about other artists. Later, Matilde’s mind gets sick, and she no longer sits on the floor with Jean-Michel to draw. Sadly, must leave home because she is no longer able to take care of herself. Jean-Michel grows up and leaves for New York City on the Eastside. Sleeping on couches and floors while he draws. Eventually, everyone wants to know who the new artist is that is drawing under the name Samoo. Students may enjoy a similar book by F. Isabel Campoy, Theresa Howell, and illustrator Rafael Lopez in a picture book based on a true story of a small artist becoming famous.

Art teachers can use this as a lesson for students to create collages based on their own lives and to emulate their favorite art. Likewise, social studies teachers can have student research artists that are influenced by their own culture.

Steptoe, J. (2016). Radiant child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Little, Brown and Company.