Martin's Big Words

Title: Martin’s Big Words

Author: Doreen Rappaport

Illustrator: Bryan Collier

Awards:

Best Illustrated Children’s Book 2001 New York Times Book Review

Coretta Scott King Award

Caldecott Award

Medium: Watercolor and cut paper collage.

Genre: Biography

Theme: Standing up for your rights, and equality for all.

Summary: Martin Luther King Jr had suffered discrimination all of this life and he prayed someday the world would change. He was one of the black leaders who changed things and he supported other people for their persistence.

Literary Elements: This story is Chronological Biography. Beautiful pictures, and it is very visible which is great for children. The illustrator portrayed the time and place wonderfully and he matched the story perfectly. The mood of the book is positive and shows change for the better. Stereotypes are avoided in this book. The words are simple and direct. Martin Luther King Jr’s character is portrayed wonderfully. He was multidimensional, this book showed all of his emotions. It shared the dark moments and light moments. The theme of the book showed how much the character believed in peace and not violent. This story showed so much complexity but children can understand it because of the way author wrote it. At the ending, it shows how his words still live on today. It makes people feel unitized how the change happened and how everyone is equal now.

Evaluation: Martin Luther King Jr character had been portrayed the same as his autobiography was portrayed. I had seen so many different movies, news clips, read books on him and this book reveals the same thing I had seen all of my life. I don’t question author and feels this is accurate image of Martin Luther King Jr. I liked this book better than most books I had read on Martin Luther King Jr, he is inspiring person and this book portrayed just like the way he was when he was alive. I would love to share this story with the children because the words of his are powerful to everyone. It doesn’t matter how old people are, they all will understand the meaning of equality and understand that there are wonderful people out there do care about our rights. This story is inspiring and uplifting which would help students to stand up for what they believe in no matter what happens. I like stories that motivate students, and this story is one of them.