I Have a Dream

"I Have a Dream!" is a wonderfully put together children's book. The powerful words of Martin Luther King Jr.'s I Have a Dream speech paired with realistic illustrations brings that moment to life. I believe this would be an incredible book to share with a class on MLK day or when talking about the civil rights movement. I enjoyed the pictured which went so wonderfully with the words of the famous speech. I read the book and listened to the speech and the illustrations felt as though they should be playing on a loop as the words ring out for all to hear.

Dr. Martin Luther King's speech is taken word-for-word in this beautifully illustrated book. This is the only picture version of Dr. King's speech in print.

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This book did nothing short of give me chills as I read MLK's speech he gave in Washington. Kadir Nelson's paintings are so realistic and life-like that I was able to feel as if I was there where the speech was being given. I think this book is a great addition to any classroom, especially as the topic of civil rights and African-American history comes up. The illustrations are impactful, and allow even young readers to understand how important Dr. King's speech was.

I Have a Dream
Author: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Text Copyright: 1963 by Dr. Martin Luther show more King, Jr.
Jacket Art & Interior Illustrations Copyright: 2012 by Kadir Nelson
Shwartz & Wade Books

This nonfiction book is suitable for grades K-5.
Genre: Nonfiction - Civil Rights - African Americans show less

I shared this book with a group of kids at the recent book fair and they haven't stopped bugging me about readying this book for checkout. It's a beautiful book. Kadir Nelson, with his starkly realistic paintings, brings us up close to the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous speech. Mesmerizing.

This absolutely beautiful book pairs the imperative words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech, I Have a Dream, with the stunning paintings by Kadir Nelson. The importance of Dr. King's speech is illustrated in such a way that epitomizes his hopes for the future of the United States; that men and women would be judged by the content of their character, and not by the color of their skin.

This message is of utmost importance to all children, especially at a young age. We must teach them to base their judgments of others on who they are on the inside, and not how they look on the outside.

Nelson uses depictions of black and white children together, of a black hand holding a white hand, to hone in on Dr. King's message that Americans show more must come together in love, and not be divided by hate.

I really enjoyed reading Dr. King's speech paired with the colorful and dramatic paintings of Kadir Nelson. This book would be a useful tool in any classroom. show less

Nelson paints original scenes of MLK Jr. "I have a Dream" speech. Nelson uses realism, as usual, to portray images from the speech and things that the speech mentions, like his kids or all the mountains. Nelson focuses again on light and darkness using warm colors and very realistic shadows. I'm inspired by the shadows in contrast to the light Nelson casts on the faces in particular. The speech is abridged, of course, for children and I think Nelson nailed some of the most vital subjects from the original. Definitely would recommend.

This book is the " I Have a Dream Speech" put into a children book with illustrations that demonstrate each line of Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech.

What a great book to talk about Martin Luther King Jr. and his message to the nation during the Civil Rights Movement. This book can also be used in writing. Students can reflect on the book in a written or picture format to demonstrate their thoughts about MLK Jr. and his speech. As a class, we would break each segment of the speech and discuss and infer why MLK Jr. used powerful words, point to them. The class can also infer how he felt about the issues going on at the time and how his method of peaceful protest lead the Civil Rights Movement to victory..... or did it?

Can students read show more the message and get the same impact as the people standing before him that day?

Students will be able to hear the speech and read it as it is in the book and then be able to hear it online from MLK Jr. himself. Which one is more effect? Does he convince you? Influence? show less

I chose this book because I did not really read anything this semester that addressed inequality between different racial groups. I enjoyed that this book consisted only of Martin Luther King’s speech. The text was King’s words and no one else’s. I liked that because I think it is important for students to learn about Martin Luther King and his “I Have a Dream” speech. However, his speech can be daunting to some students. By breaking down the speech into a picture book, it is easier for students to understand. I also appreciated that the entire speech was included at the back of the book because it gives students an opportunity to read the entire speech if they are so inclined. The pictures in this book were vibrant and show more beautiful, making the book even more appropriate for children. Including these pictures makes it easier for the student to understand the text. I enjoyed this book and would love to have it in my classroom library! show less