Module 12- Martin's Big Words

Module 12 – Martin’s Big Words

Summary

A picture book biography of Martin Luther King Jr. that introduce children to King’s legacy of the changes that he help make to America. Martin’s Big Words tells the story about his dream to change the world forever.

Reference of Book

Rappaport, D., & Collier, B. (2001). Martin's big words: The life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children.

Impression

The picture book was very well illustrated. It is a good book to talk about segregation and what his words can do. I liked how it was his words change the country and he did not use violent. Martin fought for all people and showed a country how to use words.

Professional Reviews

The Barnes & Noble Review
Acclaimed author Doreen Rappaport and Coretta Scott King Award winner Bryan Collier, who previously collaborated on Freedom River, have pooled their talents yet again in a stunning tribute to civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. An extraordinary picture-book biography, Martin's Big Words consists of Rappaport's own words interwoven with quotes from Dr. King...all powerfully brought to life by Collier's striking, glorious art.

Rappaport's spare, gripping text and Collier's distinctive collage-and-watercolor illustrations depict King's life journey with reverence and dignity -- beginning with his childhood experience of seeing "White Only" signs throughout his hometown, presenting his efforts as a civil rights crusader, and ending abruptly with his assassination. The front cover of the book immediately conveys King's power and spiritual strength, consisting entirely of a lifelike portrait of him -- the title and the author's and illustrator's names are relegated to the back cover. As Collier says in his illustrator's note, he "tried to push [the imagery] to an emotional level that allows the reader to bring his or her own experience to it, without actually losing the intensity or the intention of the story." His technique is utterly effective.

By using simple, direct language -- much of it King's -- the text offers young readers an accessible yet profound introduction to King's legacy. It explains that as a child, he listened to his minister father's "big words" and vowed to inspire others with such words when he grew up. The book's final sentence: "His big words are alive for us today," testifies to King's success -- and to the timeless importance of this great leader's ideals. As further inspiration for interested readers, Martin's Big Words includes a list of significant dates as well as a bibliography of resources for them to explore.

Levine, J., (2002). Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. [Review of the book Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., by D. Rappaport]. Goodreads, Retrieved from http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/160943.Martin_s_Big_Words

Librarian Use

Story time in January to introduce Black History month and why we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday day.