You Gotta Meet Mr. Pierce!: The Storied Life of Folk Artist Elijah Pierce (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780593406502)

A picture book biography about the barber shop of woodcarver Elijah Pierce, recipient of the highest folk art honor in the United States.

"Creeeeak!" goes the screen door to self-taught artist Elijah Pierce's barbershop art studio. A young boy walks in for an ordinary haircut and walks out having discovered a lifetime of art.

Mr. Pierce's wood carvings are in every corner of the small studio. There are animals, scenes from his life, and those detailing the socio-political world around him. It's this collection of work that will eventually win Elijah the National Heritage Fellowship in 1982 just two years before his death. But the young boy visiting the shop in the 1970s doesn't know that yet. All he knows is: "You gotta meet Mr. Pierce!"

Based on the true story of Elijah Pierce and his community barber shop in Columbus, Ohio, this picture book includes cleverly collaged museum-sourced photos of his art and informative backmatter about his life. With engaging text by Pierce to the Soul! playwright Chiquita Mullins-Lee and Christopher Award-winning author Carmella Van Vleet, it's illustrated with striking Japanese woodblock by Jennifer Mack-Watkins. A new addition to vital Black art history!

Author: Chiquita Mullins Lee, Carmella Van Vleet
ISBN-10: 0593406508
ISBN-13: 9780593406502
Publisher: Kokila
Language: English
Published: 01/31/2023
Pages: 40
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.18lbs
Size: 12.27h x 9.44w x 0.41d

Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 11/01/2022
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 12/01/2022 - Book Of Special Distinction
Publishers Weekly 12/19/2022
Booklist 01/01/2023 pg. 55
School Library Journal 02/01/2023 pg. 62
Horn Book Magazine 03/01/2023 pg. 96
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2023 - Superior,Well Above Average