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

Summary

This picture book biography traces the childhood of Jean-Michel Basquiat, a boy in Brooklyn who saw art everywhere and grew into one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century. Javaka Steptoe painted the illustrations on found pieces of wood in a bold, collage style that echoes Basquiat's own raw and energetic work. The book honors creativity, perseverance, and a young Black artist's unique way of seeing beauty in messy, vibrant lines.