Though no one would call their lives similar, this book immediately reminded me of how I felt after reading [b:Chuck Close Face Book|12789446|Chuck Close Face Book|Chuck Close|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1344668015s/12789446.jpg|17937230]. I was struck by the fact that both artists overcame serious physical disabilities in order to paint. Chuck Close was already an established artist when he had a seizure and was confined to a wheelchair. But after "the event" (as he calls it) he made up new ways to paint that are arguably better and more innovative than before. It's similarly amazing that Horace Pippin created his best work after he was shot in the arm and lost the use of it. He still painted with his right hand, but guided it with his left. They say artists must struggle--that struggle creates fodder for art. And Pippin's life is a testament to that.

This book stands as a shining example of how a picture book illustrator can lovingly pay tribute to an artist. This is both kid-friendly and masterly work. I had a bit of a quibble with another picture book about a famous artist, [b:Georgia in Hawaii|11523324|Georgia in Hawaii When Georgia O'Keeffe Painted What She Pleased|Amy Novesky|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1328834388s/11523324.jpg|16460617] because, though it was beautiful, it never really showed O'Keefe's work. A Splash of Red doesn't have that problem. There are lots of little examples of Pippin's work throughout. ( )

This is the story of the artist Horace Pippin and the challenges he faced due to his disability. Injured in World War I, Horace found that it was too difficult to draw anymore since his right arm was not strong anymore. He eventually found a way to draw later in life, using his left hand to help his right arm. This book was a Schneider Family Award recipient. It is an inspirational story and I would recommend it for young children through older elementary as a way to study biographies at an easier access point. ( )

This book could be used as a read aloud for primary aged students.
This book is about the life of Horace Pippin, a famous painter who didn't become famous until after he returned from World I. During the war he was injured in his right shoulder, so he had to learn to paint with the help of his left hand, and he eventually was discovered and his paintings were put in museums around the country.
I would read this book to my students because it is an informational nonfiction book with beautiful illustrations. This book shows the life of Horace Pippin, and his perseverance to continue to create art, even after being injured and believing that he would never get to make art again.

PK-5
Schneider Family Book Award 2004-2021
Orbis Pictus Award 2000-2021
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal 2001-2021

I think this book would be great for lower elementary students. This book walks you through the life of Horace and the impact that art had on him through his time in the army, coming back from being wounded at war, to becoming an artist to hang his work around the city. This informational text brings to life the story of someone through not only words but pictures and personal notes. ( )