Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. By: Doreen Rappaprt Illustrated by: Bryan Collier

This book would be wonderful for kindergarten through third grade. This picture-book biography provides an ideal introduction to this leader and his works. This book is a narrative of Mr. King’s life, beginning with his childhood experience of seeing "White Only" signs sprinkled throughout his hometown. He questions his mother about their meaning, and she assures him, "You are as good as anyone." Listening to his father preach, the boy asserts that "When I grow up, I'm going to get big words, too." The author Doreen Rappaport also touches upon King's role in the Montgomery bus strike that followed Rosa Park's 1955 arrest for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger and his subsequent efforts as a civil rights crusader. After briefly describing the circumstances of his death, the story concludes, quite abruptly, with the statement, "His big words are alive for us today."

Bryan Collier's striking watercolor and cut paper collage art feature closely focused lifelike images of King and other individuals against an inventive montage of patterns and textures. The pictures in this book are wonderful, large, and very eye catching. I love this book. When I was searching for Caldecott honor books I found this one and was shocked I never read it before. It was wonderful for a classroom.