I Have A Dream (Hardcover)

by Martin Luther King Jr. (Author), Kathleen A. Wilson (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
K Up. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s classic speech is creatively illustrated by 15 Coretta Scott King Award-winning artists. Signed statements from the artists explain the emotions they were tying to capture and why and how they used certain colors and tones. The size and medium of the original art are given. This book evokes the sound of King's voice as it was captured on that historic August day in 1963. Although some pictures are more touching and sobering than others, from cover to cover this is a beautiful book. A foreword by Coretta Scott King is included. A biographical sketch, preceded by a black-and-white photograph, highlights critical events in Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life.?Marie Wright, University Library, Indianapolis, IN
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 4^-8. Every year when Dr. King's birthday rolls around and during Black History month, short clips from the "I Have a Dream" speech are played and replayed--always the same few sentences presented together with grainy black-and-white images. This new book, which beautifully evokes feelings of hope as well as despair, not only gives readers the opportunity to experience the eloquent speech in its entirety but also to see it anew through the eyes of 15 African American artists who have won the Coretta Scott King Award or received a Coretta Scott King honor book designation. Each artist depicts a portion of the story of the civil rights movement or his or her vision of the meaning of a section of the speech, thus bringing new perspective to Dr. King's words. On the jacket painting, by Leo and Diane Dillon, Dr. King, who is looking toward the sun, stands next to figures holding scales and a gavel, representing equality and justice; King's words about suffering and police brutality are illustrated by Tom Feelings' depiction of a woman covering her eyes in sorrow; and James Ransome shows African Americans and whites together at a long picnic table, the "table of brotherhood." A foreword by Coretta Scott King, a brief biography of Dr. King, and notes from the artists about their contributions round out the book, which clearly reminds us why the rolling, powerful text remains one of the landmarks of American political writing. Susan Dove Lempke

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press; 1 edition (November 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590205161
• ISBN-13: 978-0590205160
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #626,488 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Dream, September 21, 2002

By	booknblueslady (Woodland, CA United States) - See all my reviews

What better gift can a parent give a child than a vision of a free and just future. This beautiful book is the illustrated text of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's speech given in Washington D.C. on August 28, 1963.

The text of King's inspirational speech is illustrated by 14 African American artists/illustrators. Each illustration is attractive and deftly illustrates points in Dr. King's speech. Any of the illustrations could well serve as pictures for someone's wall. Every illustration is noteworthy and inspirational. I love the cover illustration by Leo and Diane Dillon. Other illustrations that I am moved by include You Have Been the Veterans of Creative Suffering by Tom Feelings and The Table of Brotherhood by James E. Ransome.

This book would serve well for a method to introduce children to Martin Luther King. Whether as a teacher or parent you choose to read the whole text of the speech or discuss King's life and his importance in American history, may depend on the age of the child. While the recommended ages for reading are 4 to 8, a four year old may not understand the message. Certainly, this book would serve as a tool for older children or even adults to get to know King and his message.

I think that every American should read the text of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s I have a dream speech. It is as deeply meaningful and powerful today as it was in 1963. What better way to preserve the memory of Martin Luther King's speech than owning a copy of this book either for your children or yourself. This is a truly beautiful book which would be a great and lasting addition to a children's library.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Have a Dream, February 4, 2000

By	Vera Blaz (Guam) - See all my reviews

I introduced this book to my fourth graders before Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The pictures served as a dramatic representation of what Dr. King wanted. My students were inspired by the art work displayed in the book. However, the speech was over and beyond what my students could understand. I would recommend this book for older children and adults. I appreciated having his speech in its entirety and not just the snippets we usually hear.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful book for both children and adults, November 7, 2000

By	Michael J. Mazza (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

Don't be fooled by the fact that this is marketed as a children's book: "I Have a Dream" will appeal to readers of all ages. In this book the full text of Martin Luther King's famous speech is accompanied by 14 superb works, most of them in full color, by 15 different artists.

The book contains a thoughtful forward by Coretta Scott King and a brief but informative biographical supplement about Dr. King himself. A magnificent black-and-white photographic portrait of Dr. King in his oratorical mode serves as an effective complement to the rest of the book's illustrations. Also noteworthy are the final pages of the book, in which the artists briefly share their personal thoughts about Dr. King's legacy and about their contributions to the book.

The power of Dr. King's speech is greatly enhanced by the beautiful artwork of this book. The pictures encompass many different artistic styles and techniques. Each one is a masterpiece which invites the reader to return and reflect upon it.

As I noted at the start of the interview, this book should be enjoyed by both adults and children. It would make a wonderful gift for individuals interested in the civil rights movement, in African-American history, in multiculturalism and racial reconciliation, or in contemporary art. This book is a fitting tribute to one of the 20th century's most influential visionaries.