Author: Jen Bryant
Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Type: Nonfiction
Publisher: Knopf
Publishing Year: 2013
Word Count: 1720-words
Picture Book Element: Character and pacing
Summary: This inspiring story shares the life of a self-taught painter from humble beginnings who, despite many obstacles, was ultimately able to do what he loved and was recognized as a celebrated artist and remarkable man.
Who is Horace Pippin? Pippin was an African-American painter and World War I veteran. The author brought Pippin's character out in this book. The book introduced Pippin to us as a little boy who was growing so fast, it was hard for his family to keep up with the mending of his clothes. His hands and feet were getting bigger and bigger. On the first spread, we see him hugging his mother. I love how the illustrator showed that his feet were bare. Genius. It also gives us some insight as to who he is - loveable.
I loved this paragraph. "Horace put his big hands to work. He fetched flour for his mother. He sorted laundry with his sisters. He played with his baby brother. He held the horse while the driver delivered milk."
I loved the pacing here. Short succinct sentences. It painted the characterization of Pippin. We know that he is helpful, right? Look at all the things he did. It continued to say, "At night, he piled wood for the stove and arranged dominoes so his grandmother could play. Then, if he could find scrap of paper and a piece of charcoal, he drew pictures of what he'd seen that day."
What are you reading?
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Good job on detailing and defining pacing of the character's trait. By providing specific examples using passages of the story, I was able to see the meaning of your post. Again, well done.
ReplyDeleteGreat PB! I remember reading "Horace put his big hands to work." That line stuck with me.
ReplyDeleteNo wonder this won a Caldecott Honor! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLove it. I love this duo and was so happy for their Siebert win this year. This is one of theirs I have not yet read and certainly need to.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting the idea of "big hands." Also that you do not need to go to school to be good at something. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat choice on element, Jackie. The author appears to do a wonderful job in character portrayal in showing Horace as a 'doer' and hard worker. As the chores become greater and more complex and 'adult' like, his character develops. But always, art is there. Beautiful book, great review Jackie.
ReplyDeleteFantastic book, Jackie...the perfect choice to show the element of character! I need to take a lesson from this author in writing those short succinct sentences...mine are usually too long. ;)
ReplyDeleteThe example you showed for pacing, I love how play and day rhymed. Pretty cool. Remind to read this one at WOW in July. Vivian, I love you are learning from this challenge and applying the knowledge of other's writing styles ("short succint sentences).
ReplyDeleteI agree with Vivian. We can certainly learn from those short succinct sentences. Sometimes we try to be too creative when we should really just say things in simple terms.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great book.