A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin

Author Jen Bryant
Illustrated by Melissa Sweet
$7.99 US
RH Childrens Books | Knopf Books for Young Readers
On sale Jan 08, 2013 | 9780449810149
Age 5-8 years
Reading Level: Lexile 610L | Fountas & Pinnell P
Sales rights: World
A Robert F. Sibert Honor Book

Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award

An ALA-ALSC Notable Children's Book

Winner of the NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children

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.
  • WINNER
    Booklist Books for Youth Editors' Choice
  • WINNER
    Parents' Choice Gold Award
  • WINNER
    School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
  • WINNER
    Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor Book
  • WINNER
    Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
  • WINNER | 2014
    Orbis Pictus Non-Fiction Award
  • WINNER | 2014
    Schneider Family Book Award
  • WINNER | 2013
    New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
  • SELECTION
    Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
  • NOMINEE | 2015
    Pennsylvania Young Readers Choice Award
  • NOMINEE | 2015
    Georgia Children's Book Award
  • NOMINEE | 2014
    Virginia Capitol Choices Award List
  • SELECTION | 2014
    ALA Notable Children's Book
  • SELECTION | 2014
    Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award
  • HONOR | 2014
    Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Children's Book of the Year
Starred Review, Publishers Weekly, February 18, 2013:
“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.”

Starred Review, School Library Journal, January 1, 2013:
“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.”

Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, December 1, 2012:
“This outstanding portrait of African-American artist Horace Pippin (1888-1946) allows Pippin’s work to shine—and his heart too.”

Starred Review, Booklist, November 1, 2012:
“…a well-structured narrative with recurring themes and a highly accessible style…outstanding.”

Discussion Guide for A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin

Provides questions, discussion topics, suggested reading lists, introductions and/or author Q&As, which are intended to enhance reading groups’ experiences.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

About

A Robert F. Sibert Honor Book

Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award

An ALA-ALSC Notable Children's Book

Winner of the NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children

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.

Awards

  • WINNER
    Booklist Books for Youth Editors' Choice
  • WINNER
    Parents' Choice Gold Award
  • WINNER
    School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
  • WINNER
    Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor Book
  • WINNER
    Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
  • WINNER | 2014
    Orbis Pictus Non-Fiction Award
  • WINNER | 2014
    Schneider Family Book Award
  • WINNER | 2013
    New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
  • SELECTION
    Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
  • NOMINEE | 2015
    Pennsylvania Young Readers Choice Award
  • NOMINEE | 2015
    Georgia Children's Book Award
  • NOMINEE | 2014
    Virginia Capitol Choices Award List
  • SELECTION | 2014
    ALA Notable Children's Book
  • SELECTION | 2014
    Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award
  • HONOR | 2014
    Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Children's Book of the Year

Praise

Starred Review, Publishers Weekly, February 18, 2013:
“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.”

Starred Review, School Library Journal, January 1, 2013:
“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.”

Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, December 1, 2012:
“This outstanding portrait of African-American artist Horace Pippin (1888-1946) allows Pippin’s work to shine—and his heart too.”

Starred Review, Booklist, November 1, 2012:
“…a well-structured narrative with recurring themes and a highly accessible style…outstanding.”

Guides

Discussion Guide for A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin

Provides questions, discussion topics, suggested reading lists, introductions and/or author Q&As, which are intended to enhance reading groups’ experiences.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)