Second, the easy disarming style of the book attracts the young reader into the story. Though the themes that Dr. King's life and work evoke (e.g., rights, freedom, justice, equality, etc.) can be somewhat abstract for kids, Martin's Big Words portrays them in an accessible way. For example, the book opens with the following line: "Everywhere in Martin's hometown he saw signs, WHITE ONLY." The road is in the course of a image of young Martin standing with his mother next to 2 water fountains--one marked "White only." This accessible concrete portrayal brings into focus the problem Dr. King confronted, and generates curiosity about how the problem was solved.
Third, the stirring great thing about Dr. King's words echo throughout the book. For example, on p.21, when a straightforward allusion to Dr. King's famous speech in Washington, D.C., the book quotes: "I have a dream that in the future in Alabama very little black boys and black women will be part of hands with little white boys and white ladies as sisters and brothers." Such temporary however poignant quotations communicate to young kids the beauty and power of Dr. King's words in an accessible way.
Fourth, the book's illustrations are captivating. Collier's use of mixed media collage draws the reader to examine his artwork rigorously, whereas his use of watercolor communicates refined emotion on the faces of the book's characters. This mix of watercolor and collage brings a visual vibrancy to the book that mirrors the evolving emotional mood of the narrative. For example, the image on the page that reports Dr. King's assassination shows the most close-up, detailed, and intense portrait of King in the book, framed by stained glass. Thin gray lines across his face, suggesting that he's now separated from us, as if by a fence. The illustration communicates the tragedy of his death, however conjointly the religious hope of life beyond death that crammed his heart. His intense eyes appear to call us to continue his work. The wonder and power of the imagery in this book match perfectly with the sweetness and power of Dr. King's words.
In addition to these factors that provide the book subjective charm, the book has significant developmental value. First, the book introduces children to the life of a nice American, and the history of the civil rights movement within the mid-20th-century. Because of its simplicity, the book provides an excellent opportunity for adults to speak about the events and themes of the period with young children.
Second, the book can encourage the moral development of kids in the half-dozen-to-eight-years age category. It brings the problems of racism, segregation, justice, and love into sharp, concrete focus for a child, stimulating moral emotions, thoughts, and perhaps even actions, thereby aiding in character formation. Simply as the book's accessible vogue provides an opportunity for adults to discuss the history of the amount with kids, it additionally provides an opportunity for ethical teaching and learning.
Third, Martin's Huge Words provides an example of faith in action. As the book makes clear in its refreshingly easy method, Dr. King's motivation and perseverance derived from his faith in God. Dr. King's words, as quoted on p. 20, encapsulate this thought: "Remember, if I am stopped, this movement will not be stopped, as a result of God is with this movement." The book provides an glorious chance for adults to debate with kids the role of religion in both our non-public and public lives.
Finally, the book is terribly creative. Each the mixed media illustrations and the mixture of easy historical narrative punctuated by powerful quotations of Dr. King's "huge words" contribute to the formation of a kid's style for excellent, creative literature.
Author Resource:
Link :
Barbara K Howard has been writing articles online for nearly 2 years now. Not only does this author specialize in Beauty, you can also check out his latest website about:
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/rss.jpg "XML Feed For RSS")