Reviews

Gr 2-4-In this fictionalized account of the major events in Dr. King's life, Ringgold retells his story as a dream sequence. Falling asleep while watching a TV program dedicated to King's memory, she imagines the civil rights advocate first as a young boy encountering racial hatred, insults, and degradation. Later, as an adult, he is shown as the familiar leader of his people. Intermingled with the biographical narrative is a recurring image of all the people in the world, representing every age, gender, race, and creed, coming together to trade their excess "baggage" of hate and prejudice for hope, freedom, peace, and love. The basic facts are here, but because of the literary device imposed upon the book, the chronology may be a bit difficult for young readers to follow. There are also some challenging words and concepts that will require adult explanation. King's message, contained in quotes from his "I Have a Dream" speech, is conveyed, but in attempting to include so much, the focus of the book is unclear. Ringgold once again achieves memorable pictorial success through her simple but powerful full-page paintings. In muting her palette to accommodate the serious nature of the subject, however, she does sacrifice some of the liveliness and vigor associated with her previous works. Books about the life and crusade of this celebrated African American hero abound. This addition to the canon would be useful where the demand for materials is high, and when used in conjunction with other biographies such as David Adler's A Picture Book of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Holiday, 1989).æMartha Rosen, Edgewood School, Scarsdale, NY

" Does the dream of Martin Luther King live on? Yes, says the narrator of this resonant picture book, which uses the peculiar logic of dreams to take the reader beyond straight biography into a more personal, heartfelt interpretation of King's legacy." --Publishers Weekly, starred review
" Ringgold's pictures are strong and powerful--there is an intensity to this that will affect readers." --Booklist (boxed review)
" Ringgold gives her scenes a simple, direct, childlike look--This is her most accessible work since Tar Beach." --Kirkus Reviews (pointer review)

Does the dream of Martin Luther King live on? Yes, says the narrator of this resonant picture book, which uses the peculiar logic of dreams to take the reader beyond straight biography into a more personal, heartfelt interpretation of King's legacy. In a dream, the narrator sees King as a boy experiencing both the well-known incidents of his childhood and those of his early adult life. Dream logic makes this switch not only acceptable but reasonable, suggesting the childhood roots of the man's concerns. The dream changes again: King, now shown as an adult, presides over the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and, in his great speech in Washington, proclaims his dream. The narrator dreams, too, of his death, but also of mourners "trading in bags containing our prejudice, hate, ignorance, violence, and fear for the slain hero's dream." As she awakens, we share with her a powerful message: "EVERY GOOD THING STARTS WITH A DREAM." Ringgold (Tar Beach) mutes her usually exuberant palette for the dream scenes, creating stark, flat illustrations painted in browns, grays, whites, blacks and touches of one other color. Innovative and stirring. Ages 4-9. (Dec.)