Hi, my name is Ashlie and sometimes I do crazy things. Like yesterday when I left the lights on the car all day and it killed the battery . . . but that’s not why we are here. I am here to apologize. I had some posts written and scheduled for this week, and didn’t think twice about them. Problem was, they were scheduled to post this week in January of 2010. Yup. Crazy things. So here is one of them.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is this coming Monday, so I wanted to share with you one of my favorite favorite favorite books of all time. Not only are the words incredible and share such a wonderful message, the pictures are gorgeous.
It is the perfect book to read in honor of this great man’s birthday!
Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Written by Doreen Rappaport
Illustrated by Bryan Collier
This picture-book biography provides an ideal introduction to this leader and his works. Juxtaposing original text with quotes from King's writing and speeches, Rappaport's (Escape from Slavery) narrative offers a pastiche of scenes from 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." 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." The author relies on her subject's own words, and his power, passion and pacifism shine through. Collier's (Uptown) 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 portraits of King exude his spiritual strength and peaceful visage. In the background of some scenes are intricate recreations of stained glass windows, which, Collier explains in an introductory note, he interprets as a metaphor for King's life. An elegant, understated pictorial biography. Ages 5-9. (Publishers Weekly)
Hey Cute Cuz--
ReplyDeleteHere's the link to the cheesecake filling I used for the build-your-own cheesecake idea:
http://buonoappetito.blogspot.com/2010/12/cream-cheese-filling.html
It was really fun, but seriously, the claret glasses I bought at Wal-Mart were just too big. They don't look huge, but when you are eating rich and creamy cheesecake, it's too much. :)
Another book you might like is called Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly, which I may have already recommended to you. I flew through it right after Christmas. She also wrote A Northern Light which I loved. :) You are welcome to borrow both if you'd like.