Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

ThisCaldecott 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 web sites help make this a standout biography of Dr. King.

Author: Doreen Rappaport
Publisher: Jump at the Sun
Published: 10/01/2001
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.10lbs
Size: 11.32h x 10.24w x 0.39d
ISBN: 9780786807147
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 3.4
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 57412 / Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.


Award: South Carolina Childrens, Junior and Young Adult Book Award - Nominee
Award: Red Clover Award - Nominee
Award: Jane Addams Children's Book Award - Winner
Award: Orbis Pictus Award - Honor Book
Award: Caldecott Medal - Honor Book
Award: Coretta Scott King Award - Honor Book
Award: Bookseller's Choice - Winner
Award: Monarch Award - Nominee
Award: Charlotte Award - Nominee
Award: Black-Eyed Susan Award - Nominee


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Review - Children 08/15/2001 pg. 1220
Booklist 10/01/2001 pg. 338
Publishers Weekly 10/08/2001 pg. 64
School Library Journal 10/01/2001 pg. 146
New York Times 11/18/2001 pg. 47
New York Times 12/02/2001 pg. 73
Black Issues Book Review 01/01/2002 pg. 80
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 01/01/2002 pg. 183
BookPage 02/01/2002 pg. 30
Booklist Ed Choice Adu Bk YA's 01/01/2002 pg. 768
ALA Notable Children's Books 03/15/2002 pg. 1238
Booklist 04/01/2002 pg. 1340
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2001 pg. 185 - Outstanding, Noteworthy In Style
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2002 pg. 185 - Outstanding, Noteworthy In Style

About the Author
Doreen Rappaport has written numerous award-winning books for children, including Freedom Ship and The School Is Not White (both illustrated by Curtis James); Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a Caldecott Honor Book and Coretta Scott King Honor Book illustrated by Bryan Collier; and John's Secret Dreams: The Life of John Lennon, also illustrated by Bryan Collier.

Bryan Collier's first book, Uptown, published in 2000, received a Coretta Scott King (CSK) Illustrator Award, as well as an Ezra Jack Keats Award. The same year, Freedom River, which he illustrated, received a CSK Illustrator Honor Award. He is the illustrator of Martin's Big Words, for which he received his first Caldecott Honor Award and a CSK Honor Award. He received his second Caldecott Honor Award in 2006, as well as another CSK Award for Rosa, written by Nikki Giovanni. He is also a New York Times bestseller with Barack Obama, written by Nikki Grimes, which reached the #1 spot in picture books during its 20 weeks on the list and received a 2009 NAACP Image Award for Best Children's Book, and has illustrated many other acclaimed, award-winning titles.