Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille

Author: Jen Bryant
Illustrator: Boris Kulikov
Alfred A. Knopf (2016)
Ages 5-9

This is the biography of young Louis Braille and his journey to becoming one of the youngest and most influential inventors. Readers will learn how Louis became blind as a young boy and the spirit and ingenuity that went into his invention of a simple system of reading and writing for the blind that uses just six dots.

The author weaves the story of young Louis's life using him as the narrator. Told in first person, it feels like Louis is sitting in the room telling us his story. 

The illustrations in this book need no words to accompany them. Through the use of facial expressions and the use of light and dark, the reader easily comprehends when young Louis goes blind. Kulikov creates beautiful illustrations using watercolors with calming, warm color and soft edges. 

This is a wonderful story of a young boy who used his ingenuity to make an invaluable discovery in the 1800s that is still in use today. This is also a story of someone who simply loved to learn and couldn't be kept from doing so. It is no surprise that this is the recipient of the 2017 ALA Schneider Family Book Award.

Review by Colleen Boff

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

Author/Illustrator: Javaka Steptoe
Little, Brown and Company (2016)
Ages 5-10

This is a biographical story about Jean-Michel Basquiat, a talented young artist who made his debut in the 80's but whose life was cut short when he died at 27. The reader learns who and what influenced this young artist.

The author's writing style is simple and succinct with the pictures telling most of the story.

Steptoe uses similar techniques to Basquiat's to illustrate this book and to tackle the tough task of conveying the biography of this important artist through pictures. The illustrations are rich in color, texture and detail. There is so much to take in and absorb in each two-page spread, both in artistry and plot.

Winner of the 2017 Coretta Scott King and the Caldecott Awards, this picture book is a must have for all libraries, classrooms and personal collections. It tackles tough issues and includes a tapestry of different cultures and influences.

Review by Colleen Boff