Bryant, J., & Sweet, M. (2013). A splash of red: The life and art of Horace Pippin. New York, NY: Knopf. ISBN: 978-0-375-96712-2.
Brief plot summary:
A Splash of Red is a picture book about the artist Horace Pippin. He loved to draw from a young age, using whatever he could find to create pictures. As he entered his teens, his father left and he had to quit school to work but he still found time to draw. Then World War I came along and Pippin decided to enlist and fight for the U.S.A. While in the trenches, he was shot and his drawing arm was injured. As life went on, he found the courage to try drawing again despite his disability. He overcame his injury and became a successful artist.
Critical analyses:
Overall impression: Great story about a little-known artist who overcame his struggles to pursue his passion.
A Splash of Red does not fit into a particular culture but instead represents life as a person with a disability. Horace Pippin, an African American man living in in the late 1800s and early 1900s, had a typical life helping his family as a young boy, joining the military as a young man, and starting a family afterward. Unfortunately, he was shot in the shoulder of his dominant arm. This affected his life negatively by preventing him from finding quality work and from doing what he loved most- drawing.
This book is classified as a biography and is appropriately consistent with the historical time period in which Horace lived. He was born in 1888 and his “[g]randma’s hands were...rough and scarred from her slave days in Virginia.” He quit school during eighth grade to go to work to help his family which was common in the early 1900s. Also, World War I happens during his time as a young adult and he joined the army and went to France to fight.
The illustrations are especially important to this book and story. The illustrator states in her note that “[t]he illustrations for this book were rendered in watercolor, gouache, and collage, inspired by Pippin’s deep, rich colors.” She also incorporates Pippin’s own words from his notebooks throughout the book. “Lettering Pippin’s quotes within the illustrations gave [Sweet] a way to illuminate his simple and heartfelt approach to making art.” Sweet also re-creates Pippin’s own paintings in miniature on one page of the book.
The most important aspect of this story is Pippin’s inspiring way of life. He is a hard worker, has a good heart, is talented, but he still ends up having a negative experience happen to him. Some people might be bitter about becoming disabled, but Pippin pushes through and eventually even overcomes his injury and becomes a successful artist as an adult. His story can inspire all kids, regardless of their situation, to overcome what life throws at them and to not be discouraged. Everyone faces challenges in life, some are harder to deal with than others, but they can all be overcome with a positive attitude.
Review excerpts:
“In a well-structured narrative with recurring themes and a highly accessible style, Bryant writes short sentences full of memorable details”
--Booklist starred review, 2012
“A splash of vibrancy about a self-taught master.”
--Kirkus, 2012
Connections (related books, activities, children’s responses, etc.):
This book allows discussion on multiple topics including World War I, slavery, child labor, art, and most importantly, overcoming obstacles. Librarians and educators can use this story to bring up these topics and elaborate on them. Also, it would be great for allowing kids to create their own art and they can view Pippin’s paintings. The author includes many sources for further learning (websites, books, a film, and all the places that people can see Pippin’s art).
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