Illustrated by Bryan Collier

On Sale: Dec 18, 2007
Page Count: 40 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ISBN-13: 9781423106357

$9.99

$12.99 CAD

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Trade Paperback $9.99 $12.99 CAD
Hardcover $18.99 $23.99 CAD

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A Caldecott Honor Book, Coretta Scott King Honor Book, and New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Children’s Book ● This “stunning, reverent” (School Library Journal) picture book biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., brings his extraordinary life and profound message to young readers through powerful collage art and Dr. King’s own words.

Martin Luther King, Jr., was one of the most influential and gifted speakers of all time. Growing up in the segregated South, he was inspired by his mother’s belief in equality and his father’s sermons. He found his calling as a minister too, preaching words of love over hate—words that propelled him to the forefront of the civil rights movement, and whose legacy is still felt today.

Doreen Rappaport uses quotes from some of Dr. King’s most beloved speeches to tell the story of his life and his work in an accessible way, while Bryan Collier’s stunning collage art combines remarkable watercolor paintings with vibrant patterns and textures. A timeline and other backmatter round out this addition to the acclaimed Big Words series of biographies.

Don’t miss these other titles in the Big Words series!
Ellen Takes Flight: The Life of Astronaut Ellen Ochoa
Ruth Objects: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Helen’s Big World: The Life of Helen Keller
Abe’s Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln
Frederick’s Journey: The Life of Frederick Douglas

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Series:

"Beginning with the startling cover, which contains only the face of Martin Luther King Jr., with his smile broad, and his eyes crinkled in laughter, this title intrigues. It’s an homage in words and pictures, in which the author weaves King’s words with her own to present a brief but stately portrait of the American hero....Readers will hear [King's] voice echo in this presentation."
Kirkus Reviews
“Weaving in Dr. King’s own 'big words,' this inspiring picture book biography celebrates this great leader as preacher and politician. Rappaport’s sparse narrative captures the essentials of the man, the Civil Rights movement he led, and his policy of non-violence. This is a great book to read aloud many times.”
Booklist
“A stunning, reverent tribute.”
School Library Journal

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Doreen Rappaport

About the Author

Doreen Rappaport is the award-winning author of the Big Words picture book biography series, including the Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Book Award Honor Book Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., illustrated by Bryan Collier; Beacon of Hope: The Life of Barack Obama, illustrated by Tonya Engel; Helen’s Big Words: The Life of Helen Keller, illustrated by Matt Tavares; and Ruth Objects: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, illustrated by Eric Velasquez, among many others. She is the recipient of the Washington Post Children’s Book Guild lifetime achievement award for the writing of nonfiction. Doreen lives in upstate New York and invites you to visit her online at doreenrappaport.com.

Cozbi A. Cabrera is the author and illustrator of Me & Mama, which received a Coretta Scott King Book Award Honor and a Caldecott Honor, and My Hair Is a Garden. Her illustrated titles include Brown Girl, Brown Girl by Leslé Honoré, Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks by Suzanne Slade, and Chef Edna: Queen of Southern Cooking, Edna Lewis by Melvina Noel, among others. Her handmade cloth dolls (muñecas) are collected all around the world. She lives in Illinois with her husband and daughter.

Learn more about this author

Bryan Collier

About the Illustrator

Bryan Collier has illustrated more than twenty-five picture books, including the award-winning Trombone Shorty, Dave the Potter, and Knock Knock: My Father’s Dream for Me, as well as City Shapes, and Fifty Cents and a Dream, and has received four Caldecott Honors and six Coretta Scott King Awards. He lives with his wife and children in Marlboro, New York.

Learn more about this illustrator