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Library | Call Number | Status |
|---|---|---|
Searching... R.H. Stafford Library (Woodbury) | J 921 KING | Searching... Unknown |
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Summary
Summary
Much more than a biography, this book is an examination of the principles set forth by the renowned civil rights leader. The author highlights King's most brilliant moments, which will help readers better appreciate his accomplishments. Text copyright 2004 Lectorum Publications, Inc.
Author Notes
Jean Marzollo was born Jean Martin in Manchester, Connecticut on June 25, 1942. She graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1964, and received a master's degree in teaching from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 1965. After graduating, she taught high school English for several years and then became involved in educational publishing. She was the editor of Scholastic's kindergarten magazine Let's Find Out for twenty years.
Her first book for parents, Learning Through Play, was published in 1972 and her first children's book, Close Your Eyes, was published in 1978. She wrote over 150 books for children and has illustrated some of her own children's books starting in 2003. Her works include the I Spy series; Soccer Sam; Mama Mama/Papa Papa; Close Your Eyes; Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King; and the Shanna Show books. She died in her sleep of natural causes on April 10, 2018 at the age of 75.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (5)
School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 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 (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
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. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
This brief picture-book biography for very young children presents Dr. King's life in a simple, direct manner. Marzollo is particularly sensitive to the informational needs of preschoolers and gives careful consideration to the difficulty of explaining the concept of violent death to them; a foreword for parents and teachers on that issue is included. Attractive, scratchboard illustrations capture King's likeness and enhance the book's appeal. From HORN BOOK 1993, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
In a thoughtful note, Marzollo suggests that adults may wish to change the words ``shot and killed'' to ``died'' when sharing this book with preschoolers, but goes on to advise that ``if we handle the subject sensitively, we will find that children, like ourselves, can look at truth and cope with death.'' Narrating King's life and accomplishments with a dignity and simplicity that is equally appropriate for young children or less accomplished older readers, the author concludes with a graceful summary of the reasons he is honored with a special day. Pinkney has created powerful, rather dark and somber illustrations using his trademark scratchboard technique with minimal color added, eloquently conveying the continuing grief for the our loss while dramatizing King's gentler strengths as well as his more heroic moments. A quiet, poignantly telling book. (Biography/Picture book. 4+)
Booklist Review
Ages 4-8. Marzollo and Pinkney offer a simple yet effective look at King's life, focusing on his ability to affect change and bring people together. Beginning with the birth of King ("His parents loved him very much"), Marzollo describes his education, his life as a pastor, and his involvement in the civil rights movement. The book is at its best when it describes the qualities that made King so special: "He asked people not to fight with each other. He said there were peaceful ways to solve problems. . . . When he spoke, people listened." But there are also some noticeable lapses: though King and his father are shown in several spreads, King's wife, Coretta, and their children are never mentioned. King's death is dealt with in one brief sentence. Nevertheless, in her foreword Marzollo advises parents that they may find the words "shot and killed" inappropriate for preschoolers, though discussing his death could help them understand the grieving process. Pinkney's scratchboard art is outstanding. From the warm dust jacket picture, showing King surrounded by children, to the final spread, set at King's grave, the bold pictures with their changing perspectives are immediate and moving. Libraries will have calls for this on King's birthday and throughout the year. ~--Ilene Cooper
