Happy Birthday Martin Luther King (Scholastic Hardcover) (Hardcover)

~ (Author), J. Brian Pin Kney (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This effective collaboration between Pinkney ( Sukey and the Mermaid ; The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural ) and the prolific Marzollo presents a gentle, pared-down version of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life. Geared to preschoolers, the author's brief narrative outlines those of the leader's civil rights accomplishments that this audience is most likely to understand and appreciate, among them those that enabled African Americans and whites in the South to sit together in buses, drink from the same water fountains and attend the same schools. Marzollo's language is equally accessible: "His dream was that people everywhere would learn to live together without being mean to one another." Meticulously employing scratchboard and oil pastels, Pinkney uses intricate series of fine, white lines to create stunning, exquisitely shaded illustrations. Ages 3-7.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-- An eloquent and powerful introduction to the life and death of Martin Luther King, Jr. This simplified summation leaves out most of the details, while bringing the essence of his life and work to young readers. A foreword offers options for softening the facts surrounding his murder for preschoolers. Pinkney's scratchboard and oil pastel illustrations convey both the strength and gentleness of King's character. Both text and art carry his central message of peace and brotherhood among all people. This is a good choice for reading aloud. Adler's Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Holiday, 1989) covers the same material with more detail. --Eunice Weech, M. L. King Elementary School, Urbana, IL
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press (January 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590440659
• ISBN-13: 978-0590440653
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #858,041 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gentle tribute to a giant., January 9, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King (Paperback)

As an elementary school librarian I liked this book because it can be read and appreciated by children from first grade to fifth grade. It has a simple, gentle approach to Dr. King's life from his birth to his death. The students love the "scratchboard" method that the illustrator used for the beautiful artwork. Jeanne Feeney

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars First Grade Teachers......A book for you!, January 21, 2000

By	"adogwillloveyouforever" (Guymon, Oklahoma USA) - See all my reviews

I've been searching for a short read about Martin Luther King, Jr. that would excite my first grade students and keep them focused on the background of this great American. The illustrations are lovely and the size of the book is perfect for classroom storytime.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a very good book about a very good man., January 14, 1999

By A Customer

I am a fifth grader at North Hills Traditional Academy.

I like this book because it tells how Martin Luther King grew up. And it was sweet how he grew up.

I like the book because the pictures are colorful and the story is sweet.

The thing I really like about the book is that it tells sweet things about his personal life, not just his public life.

Mostly, I really like it because it tells how he grew up and about his friendship with a little white boy.

It's really clever because it shows what Martin Luther King was like when he was young.

It's a great book. I think you should read it. And I know that you will enjoy it.