This is a partial biography of Martin Luther King Jr. and how he became such and icon in the civil rights movement and changed the way Americans view multiculturalism today. He took the Ideas of Ghandi about passive resistance and applied them to one of the biggest movements in our nations history. He paid the ultimate price for what he believed was right.

First of all, the illustrations in this book are absolutely beautiful. This is a wonderful biography of a very wonderful man who did wonderful things for this country. His words were very BIG and are still remembered and recited to this day.

I would ask my students to draw on the parallels between the way MLK approached the civil rights movement and the teachings of Ghandi. This could either be a research piece that could be done in groups or something we could dialog about in class.

This is the story of Martin Luther Kind Jr. It starts with Martin as a child and how he heard his father, a preacher, use "big" words to inspire people. He used to only see White Only signs everywhere and the words of his mother comforted him. As he read his Bible, he said one day he would "big" words to inspire people. Martin as an adult studied how the indians won wars without ever fireing a gun. He passed that message on in his preachings. In this book all of the quotes that Martin made are in large fonts to emphasize the title Martin's Big Words. A very good historical book, great for the little ones.

I read this book to pre-k children. The teacher I work with suggested this book, I thought that it might be a little above their heads, but the kids enjoyed it and asked lots of questions after the book. They didn't understand why white people didn't like black people, and they said that they used to be mean, but everyone is nice now.

As an extension of this book, I would have the children color a picture of Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin's Big Words is a very influential story of Martin Luther King's fight for freedom in America. MLK was a historical figure that is known for his brave attributes for equality and left a vital mark on America's civil rights. ( )

To be shared with everyone. ( )

ALA Notable Books for Children 2002, Caldecott Honor 2002, Coretta Scott King Honor 2002
Jane Addams Book Award 2002, Notable Social Studies Trade Books 2002, New York Times Best Illustrated 2001, Orbus Pictus Honor 2002