For Your Napa Readers: I Have A Dream

A Beautiful Picture Book to Commemorate the Words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Susan C. Schena, Patch Staff

Posted Tue, Jan 20, 2015 at 6:24 am PT

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is being celebrated this week, and even though I constantly look at new and compelling books about his life, I Have a Dream, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, remains my absolute favorite picture book to honor him. I am an absolute devotee of Kadir Nelson. His 17 original oil paintings that grace this book are a moving tribute to the speech that inspired them.

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Title: I Have a Dream

Author: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Target: Kindergarten - Grade 5

What this book is about:
This is an illustrated version of Dr. Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream speech. An audio recording of the actual speech is included with the book if it is purchased, but my copy from the library did not have one. I can only imagine that it would have made this beautiful picture book even more compelling. The book is of selected portions of the speech, but the complete version is printed at the back.

Why I love this book:
The illustrations are magnificent. Kadir Nelson’s paintings overlooking the Lincoln memorial are stunning and capture the historic and significant time of the speech. When I read this with my daughter I actually got choked up.

Who this book is for:
This is a bit difficult. Out of context, I don’t know how much children will take away from this book, but if you are willing to invest some time talking about race and its history in our nation, this book is a moving tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision and his significance in history.

Final thoughts:
Kadir Nelson is such a wonderful and powerful artist that I always look forward to his work.

I am a mom of three with a passion for literature! No matter what book series our kids devour, as they come to an end, we as parents ask the inevitable question - what is next? I am ever on the job, trying to answer that question. I try to do it with a variety of books. Some are silly, some true to life, some pure fantasy, but in the end I hope they make my children love words, explore new ideas, and laugh!

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