  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 09/02/2012 A great way to introduce young readers to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic 1963 address, this large, square picture book presents the speech with long excerpts and full-page, glowing unframed oil portraits of King, as well as paintings of the thousands who came to hear him at the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington. Then there are images that expand on his stirring message, including a painting of a black teen and a white teen face-to-face, equal and connected, which accompanies the words “the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood”; a large close-up of a black hand and a white hand clasped together; a view of children of many races singing “let freedom ring”; and spreads showing mountain landscapes across the country. The full text of the speech is appended, and there is also a CD of King’s address for those, including teens and adults, who want to revisit that momentous event, and not just on the third Monday in January. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: A new book from Nelson is always a publishing event, and his many fans, young and old, will be waiting for this. - Copyright 2012 Booklist. Bulletin for the Center... - 11/01/2012 Excerpts from Dr. King’s 1963 landmark speech at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom are movingly illustrated here by Kadir Nelson. The interpretation is literal (King’s “four little children” are readily identifiable); the scale is often monumental (the hope of being “able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together” is represented by a pair of larger than life black and white grasped hands); and the compositions are riveting (the force of the single phrase “From every mountain, let freedom ring” is underscored by the double-page spread close-up of King’s impassioned delivery). End matter presents the speech in its entirety for older readers, but paring the text down to its most notable lines makes this title accessible to youngsters who are just beginning to comprehend the civil rights leader’s stature. Follow Christine King Farris’s March On! with this tribute to her brother’s oration for a powerful Black History Month presentation. A CD with a recording of King giving the speech is included. EB - Copyright 2012 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. School Library Journal - 11/01/2012 Gr 2 Up—This splendidly illustrated tribute comes in time to celebrate the upcoming 50th anniversary of Dr. King's historic speech given on August 28, 1963. The full text is appended, though Nelson has chosen to illustrate just the latter portion, beginning with the words, "I say to you today, my friends, that even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream." The luminous oil paintings employ a variety of techniques-scenes at the Lincoln Memorial have a sweeping impressionistic quality while other spreads employ the artist's signature photorealistic style. From the wraparound jacket featuring a powerful image of Dr. King, Nelson makes good use of the large, square trim size and generous design appropriate to illustrate such a significant moment in the Civil Rights Movement. While putting his own interpretative spin on the iconic words, he remains sensitive to King's intent; for example, several paintings focus on King's hope that all people will someday live in harmony-a theme that runs through the oration. The layout matches the tempo of the words with dramatic spreads resounding with the refrain "I have a dream," and the "Let freedom ring" chorus scenes unfold as a creative series of geographic panels. Even after 50 years, this seminal address still has the power to move listeners, and this handsome illustrated version will be welcomed in all collections. Includes a CD of Dr. King's original speech.—Caroline Ward, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT - Copyright 2012 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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