Overview
For eighty years Philip Simmons has molded lumps of metal into beautiful ornamental gates, fences, and railings. In the only book for young readers about this amazing African-American craftsman, Mary E. Lyons crafts a vivid portrait of a remarkable man and his art. Researching the book with intricate care, Lyons visited frequently with Simmons and his coworkers. Using the artist's own words, she has pulled together not only a vision of the man and his work but the story of his remarkable lifetime, from his beginning as the great-grandson of slaves to his achievements as a nationally renowned artist. Philip Simmons is truly a working person's hero and role model. Catching the Fire presents the landscape of his life. This is the story of a man who loves his work and who creates art with passion.
Tells the story of this African American artist, the great-grandson of slaves, who has achieved fame and admiration for his ornamental wrought-iron creations.
Editorials
From The Critics
"The narrative based on Simmons' memories and words, involves readers through its lively presentation. . . . A thoughtful layout contributes to the grace of this handsome book, which reflects its subject in craftsmanship and attention to detail."School Library Journal
Gr 4-8Lyons has again traced the life and work of a contemporary African-American craftsman and artist. Here, she introduces readers to Philip Simmons, a blacksmith from Charleston, SC, who was trained by an older craftsman. Quotes from Simmons appear throughout; the author mentions that she interviewed him and that most of the story is related in his own words. Not much is told about his personal life except that he was raised by grandparents, had two siblings, was married, and had three children. When his wife died, the children, who were all preschoolers at the time, were sent to live with "caring kinfolk and friends" and Simmons concentrated on supporting them and perfecting his craft. It is this work that the author emphasizes, giving readers information about how a forge operates. The text is highlighted by good-quality, full-color photographs of the subject's artwork, as well as pictures of the forge and bellows and some of the people with whom he worked. There is a good index, and the lengthy bibliography can lead youngsters to further study of Simmons, his craft, and Charleston. This is a good addition to the author's series of books on American artisans.Margaret C. Howell, West Springfield Elementary School, VAKirkus Reviews
Vivid details about the life of a hardworking blacksmith artist will inspire readers in this engrossing biography from the author of Painting Dreams (1996), etc.The poor, industrious descendant of a slave, Philip Simmons was captivated by the men who fired up iron and bashed it into form. He started to work with Charleston's premier blacksmith at the age of 13 and grew into one of the country's "national treasures" of esteemed artists. Simmons went from shoeing horses and fixing wagons, to repairing automobiles and sculpting wrought-iron fences. Now, his elaborate gates and fences decorate the city of Charleston, South Carolina. In nine short chapters told from Simmons's point of view, Lyons shows the arc of Simmons's development, from a dedicated kid with a dream to an accomplished artist. His commitment to his art, and his ability to adapt to changing times despite setbacks, is impressive and heartening, and his attitude—never giving up on the work he loves—resounds. Garcia's full-color photographs show many of Simmons's marvels; the work also includes a good bibliography, but no glossary to help readers more clearly grasp the blacksmithing process. Even without it, readers will come away with respect for hard work combined with creative pursuits, and will surely never look at wrought iron the same way again.