Martin's Big Words

The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Caldecott Honor Book)

Contributors

By Doreen Rappaport

Illustrated by Bryan Collier

Formats and Prices

Price

$18.99

Price

$23.99 CAD

Format

Format:

  1. Hardcover $18.99 $23.99 CAD
  2. Trade Paperback $9.99 $12.99 CAD

This Caldecott Honor, Coretta Scott King Honor, and New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Children’s Book picture book biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., brings his life and the profound nature of his message to young children through his own words.

Martin Luther King, Jr., was one of the most influential and gifted speakers of all time. Doreen Rappaport uses quotes from some of his most beloved speeches to tell the story of his life and his work in a simple, direct way. Bryan Collier's stunning collage art combines remarkable watercolor paintings with vibrant patterns and textures. A timeline and a list of additional books and websites help make this a standout biography of Dr. King.

Genre:

  • "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

On Sale
Oct 1, 2001
Page Count
40 pages
ISBN-13
9780786807147

Doreen Rappaport

About the Author

Doreen Rappaport’s nonfiction and historical fiction books have been acclaimed for their meticulous research and varied literary styles. She is the recipient of the Washington Post Children’s Book Guild lifetime achievement award for the writing of nonfiction. Her many award-winning biographies include the Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Honor book Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., illustrated by Bryan Collier; Abe’s Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln, illustrated by Kadir Nelson; and Ruth Objects: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, illustrated by Eric Velasquez. Doreen lives in upstate New York and invites you to visit her online at doreenrappaport.com.
 
Oliver Dominguez is an award-winning Colombian American children’s book illustrator and instructor. His love of historical figures has led him to illustrate numerous titles, including Nacho’s Nachos: The Story Behind the World’s Favorite Snack, written by Sandra Nickel; Electrical Wizard: How Nikola Tesla Lit the World, written by Elizabeth Rusch; and Miracle Mud: Lena Blackburne and the Secret Mud that Changed Baseball, written by David A. Kelly. Oliver lives in Florida with his family and invites you visit him online at oliverdominguezart.com or on Instagram @oliverdominguezart.
 

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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