I Have a Dream (Book & CD)

Wow. In 1963, in front of the Lincoln Memorial, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave one of the most important speeches of the 20th century. It is called the "I Have a Dream" speech and it was delivered as part of the March on Washington, a march in support of civil rights for African Americans. This book pairs the words of the last third of the speech with Kadir Nelson's outstanding illustrations.Nelson has won two Caldecott Honors, a Robert F. Sibert Medal and a Coretta Scott King Honor Award. In "I Have a Dream" he captures the power of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. Nelson includes two head shots of Dr. King. The first is paired with "I have a dream today." The second is paired with "From every mountainside, let freedom ring." Both show the strength and intensity of Dr. King. Nelson also paints a two-page spread of a white hand and a black hand holding each other. It's hard to imagine a better way to visualize the meaning of the speech.At the end of the book the entire speech is printed. The book also comes with a CD of the entire speech. It's remarkable to listen to the speech on the CD, notice when the book begins to pick up the words of the speech, and continue to listen to the speech while reading the words and looking at the illustrations. It makes for a very powerful experience for one who was a child during the civil rights movement."I Have a Dream" is an excellent tool to open new generations of children to the civil rights movement and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This book demonstrates that Dr. King's power continues into the 21st century.

The illustrations in this book are incredible. Huge fan of Kadir Nelson. I loved reading this to my 3rd-5th grade students. We contemplated what peace means/does not mean...what Dr. King's dream was and whether or not we think it's been realized....how we as artists can be change makers and help his dream to be realized now.

Every classroom and every home-schooler should be reading this book and listening to this CD on MLK day. We need to remember what things used to be like verses what they are today. It is so easy to see the negative especially with 24 hour news..... but the truth is we have come so far already even if there is more to do. Frankly, I cannot wait to live in world where no one sees the color of your skin anymore, but judges you only on your character and what you choose to do with your life. I want MLK's dream to come true - don't you?

I bought this for my niece. It's so important for children to learn about our past. In a time where so much hate is going on in the world it's our responsibility as adults to educate the future of this nation to be accepting and loving to EVERYONE. And especially with a lot of the education of certain historical events because sugar coated in schools we have to do what we can to ensure a future where everyone is equal. This book is just one small step we can take as adults to help young people along.

I'm a teacher and read this book every year to my fifth grade students. It is actually written so that much younger students can understand it, but I love using it as a springboard for more advanced lessons on race and prejudice. I purchased several extra copies to give to my young nieces and nephews last February, because it is such a well-written, insightful book.

FANTASTIC! Please buy. You won’t regret it. I love this book so much and I’m an adult. My toddler loves it as well. The CD is such an awesome asset. Excellent excerpts from MLK’s I have a dream speech, beautiful illustrations, full speech at the end. I tear up and get goose bumps every time I read it.

I read this to my PreK 4 class. You could hear a pin drop. I used the smart board to project the beautiful illustrations. I paused to explain some words they might not be familiar with, such as content of character. They loved this book! They actually applauded when I was done reading which has never happened before. A very powerful book! Highly recommended.We followed this up with an “I have a dream” activity. Each child illustrated a dream which they dictated to me to write for them.

Excellent reminder about the values of all Americans! Exceptional insight into the hatred actions that have prevailed too long in certain areas of our country, and in too many minds. Only God can change us to love each other as we love ourselves.