Martin's Big Words

Martin's Big Words is a children's biography about Martin Luther King Jr authored by Doreen Rappaport. It goes through his life touching events from his childhood until his death.

• Martin L. King Jr was born January 15,1929
• June 18, 1953 Coretta Scott and Martin Luther King Jr are married
• December 5,1955-December 21,1956 he led the Montgomery Bus Boycott
• January 10,1957 he became the president of The Southern Christian Leadership Conference
• August 28,1963 Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech at the march on Washington
• December 10, 1964 He received the Nobel Peace Prize
• April 4, 1968 Martin Luther king Jr was assassinated  

This book is great to teach small children about African- American History. It goes into detail with out adding too much and confusing the child. It's just enough! The illustrations are very vivid and keep the child interested. Illustrator Brian Collier used watercolor with a collage format  and Representational art. In 2001 New York Times awarded the book " Best Illustrated Children's Book".

   Class Activities:

1. Have the children explain why Dr. M. L. King Jr is important and why he is celebrated.

2. "I have a dream" assignment. Have children create their own "I have a dream" speech.



 About the Author : 

Doreen Rappaport is the author of many award winning book for children like: The School is Not White, Freedom ship, and Abe's Honest Words 

 

Reference:

1.  Rappaport, Doreen (2001), Martin's Big Words. New York, NY: Jump At The Sun.
2. The official Doreen Rappaport website, www.doreenrappaport.com