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Martin Luther King, Jr.

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The MY FIRST BIOGRAPHY series brings the biggest life stories to the smallest readers.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a great man. His words changed the way people thought, and his actions spurred them on to change the world. With simple, lyrical text and bold, kid-friendly illustrations, this book introduces Dr. King to the youngest readers and inspires them to change the world.

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

4 people are currently reading
108 people want to read

About the author

Marion Dane Bauer

174 books186 followers
Marion Dane Bauer is the author of more than one hundred books for young people, ranging from novelty and picture books through early readers, both fiction and nonfiction, books on writing, and middle-grade and young-adult novels. She has won numerous awards, including several Minnesota Book Awards, a Jane Addams Peace Association Award for RAIN OF FIRE, an American Library Association Newbery Honor Award for ON MY HONOR, a number of state children's choice awards and the Kerlan Award from the University of Minnesota for the body of her work.

She is also the editor of and a contributor to the ground-breaking collection of gay and lesbian short stories, Am I Blue? Coming Out from the Silence.

Marion was one of the founding faculty and the first Faculty Chair for the Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her writing guide, the American Library Association Notable WHAT'S YOUR STORY? A YOUNG PERSON'S GUIDE TO WRITING FICTION, is used by writers of all ages. Her books have been translated into more than a dozen different languages.

She has six grandchildren and lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, with her partner and a cavalier King Charles spaniel, Dawn.

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INTERVIEW WITH MARION DANE BAUER
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Q. What brought you to a career as a writer?

A. I seem to have been born with my head full of stories. For almost as far back as I can remember, I used most of my unoccupied moments--even in school when I was supposed to be doing other "more important" things--to make up stories in my head. I sometimes got a notation on my report card that said, "Marion dreams." It was not a compliment. But while the stories I wove occupied my mind in a very satisfying way, they were so complex that I never thought of trying to write them down. I wouldn't have known where to begin. So though I did all kinds of writing through my teen and early adult years--letters, journals, essays, poetry--I didn't begin to gather the craft I needed to write stories until I was in my early thirties. That was also when my last excuse for not taking the time to sit down to do the writing I'd so long wanted to do started first grade.

Q. And why write for young people?

A. Because I get my creative energy in examining young lives, young issues. Most people, when they enter adulthood, leave childhood behind, by which I mean that they forget most of what they know about themselves as children. Of course, the ghosts of childhood still inhabit them, but they deal with them in other forms--problems with parental authority turn into problems with bosses, for instance--and don't keep reaching back to the original source to try to fix it, to make everything come out differently than it did the first time. Most children's writers, I suspect, are fixers. We return, again and again, usually under the cover of made-up characters, to work things through. I don't know that our childhoods are necessarily more painful than most. Every childhood has pain it, because life has pain in it at every stage. The difference is that we are compelled to keep returning to the source.

Q. You write for a wide range of ages. Do you write from a different place in writing for preschoolers than for young adolescents?

A. In a picture book or board book, I'm always writing from the womb of the family, a place that--while it might be intruded upon by fears, for instance--is still, ultimately, safe and nurturing. That's what my own early childhood was like, so it's easy for me to return to those feelings and to recreate them.
When I write for older readers, I'm writing from a very different experience. My early adolescence, especially, was a time of deep alienation, mostly from my peers but in some ways from my family as well. And so I write my older stories out of that pain, that longing for connection. A story has to have a problem at its core. No struggle

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5 stars
51 (38%)
4 stars
48 (36%)
3 stars
24 (18%)
2 stars
5 (3%)
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3 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
Profile Image for J9.
2,283 reviews132 followers
November 18, 2013
A great educational book for your children of all ages. My 6 yr old loved it as well as my 3 yr old twins. Lots of good information with beautiful pictures that will help keep children engaged. A great addition to any children's library.
Profile Image for Caroline.
75 reviews
February 25, 2020
This was a great, simple educational book about MLK. I thought it was a perfect primer for my 3 year old.
20 reviews
August 9, 2023
The book Martin Luther King Jr. written by Marion Dane Bauer falls under the genre of biographies. The intended audience is 3-6 years old. This book introduces the topic of racial segregation that was present in the United States and what Martin Luther King Jr. did to ensure nobody is discriminated against based on their skin color.

I gave this book 5/5 stars because the author introduces the sensitive topic of segregation and prejudice in a way that young children are able to understand. The main character is Martin Luther King Jr. who is depicted at different periods throughout his life. The author includes when MLK was a boy and was not allowed to attend the same school as white people or drink out of the same water fountain, solely based on the color of his skin. MLK’s I have a dream speech was also included to show the profound impact his words had on many people and the ripple affect it had on the United States. When looking at the background characters on each page you can see that the white characters are giving dirty looks to black individuals trying to eat at a restaurant or finding a seat on a bus. This book depicts the harsh realities of segregation that occurred in the United States' past and how the country has become more accepting over the course of many years.

As a future early childhood education teacher, I will definitely share this book with the students. This would be a great book to share on MLK day, during black history month, or discussing leaders who have had profound impact in the evolution of our country. This book also promotes the idea of accepting one another despite differences in skin color, culture, religion, and beliefs.
11 reviews
April 23, 2020
This a biography intended for children ages 4-8 years old. This book introduces Martin Luther King Jr. to young readers. It talks about his life as it pertains to segregation during his childhood and how his beliefs and fight for equality led to desegregation. It introduces the significance of MLK day. I rated this book 4 stars. It has great illustrations full of color to go along with the text. I love this book because it shows the importance of togetherness. It also shows the problems blacks had to face during those time in a way that young children will understand easily. This is definitely a great book to read to a child to introduce them to the topic of racism, prejudice, and segregation. The colorful pictures take away from how harsh things actually were. This great because as the children get older they will be introduced to harsher sides of these topics. This is a great book for a conversation starter for young children as it pertains to the topics to. You could read the book and ask their feelings about what you read. GREAT BOOK!
Profile Image for Lee Ann.
778 reviews20 followers
January 22, 2018
A great children's book that explains why MLK is so important to our history. I don't think it explained why segregation is bad though at all. It just kind of stated that white people didn't want to use the same fountains/schools/etc. as black people, without saying anything about why that's not nice. And I think that's a pretty simple thing to state in children's terms, just by saying "that's bullying" or something along those lines. So only 4/5 stars.
Profile Image for Elaine.
984 reviews15 followers
June 30, 2020
The ending is a little brighter and broader than is accurate, but otherwise, the book does a pretty good job of recognizing that white people were being unfair and unjust and unkind in a way that’s easily presentable to young children.
Profile Image for Chris Schaben.
159 reviews1 follower
January 18, 2018
Probably one of the easiest books about Martin Luther King, Jr. for preschoolers or young children to understand.
Profile Image for Yvonne O'Connor.
1,098 reviews9 followers
February 1, 2019
I kind of wish this was a little longer - a bit too simplified and created a lot of questions from my toddlers!
Profile Image for Kristina.
1,155 reviews1 follower
July 30, 2019
This is a great book to start reading to younger kids. It opens up a good discussion with the kids. My 3 kids enjoyed reading this book. I would recommend this book to others.
217 reviews
January 4, 2022
A very general overview- I read this to my 2nd graders and then we read a second, more detailed biography.
163 reviews1 follower
November 21, 2021
Biographical
K-1st

I love how simple books in this collection are for younger children. They are a great way to introduce them to biographies. With that I love how this book is not only a simple read but also one that does get the main facts about Martin Luther King Jr’s life down. I love how it highlights what MLK did for us and what we now have because of it. I love how interesting this book made history for children and the takeaways children can get from it. Lastly, the illustrations were great. In the end this is a book that I want to have in my classroom some day.
36 reviews2 followers
December 5, 2016
Reading level: 2.5

Summary: Martin Luther King, Jr. was a great inspirational man. In this biography the book begins with an explanation of what it was like for Martin Luther King, Jr. to grow up as a little boy. He believed that he was just as good as everyone else. He was a great leader and when he spoke, his words changed the way people thought which ultimately helped change the world. Marion Dane's biography of Martin Luther King, Jr. provides simplistic text and kid-friendly illustrations to young readers.

Characteristics that support the genre: Autobiography and Biography, Civil Rights Movement,
African American, and Historic Figures.

Bookshelf Mentor Writing Traits:
Lesson Plans, Activity Ideas & Other Resources for Teaching MLK Day

By Phil Nast, retired middle school teacher and freelance writer

Found In: Arts, Language Arts, Social Studies, PreK-2, 3-5



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ARTICLE SECTIONS

Lesson Plane
Activities
Background Resources
Printalbes
Videos
Help students in grades K-5 put in perspective the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., his impact on the Civil Rights Movement, and his significance to American culture and history.

Lesson Plans

Dr. King's Dream
Students in grades K-2 learn about the life and work of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., listen to an excerpt from his “I Have a Dream” speech, and create picture books about freedom for Americans today.

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Me: Ideas - Identifying with a Hero. Students in grades K-2 can learn about the life of Dr. King, record information on a KWL chart, and keep a journal of thoughts and ideas. Organization - Martin Luther King Jr. Interactive Timeline. After listening to a reading of A Picture Book of Martin Luther King Jr., students in grades 3-5 use sequencing skills to create a timeline of MLK’s life.

Classroom Integration/Mini-lessons/Content Connections: Theme - Dr. King's Dream
Students in grades K-2 learn about the life and work of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., listen to an excerpt from his “I Have a Dream” speech, and create picture books about freedom for Americans today.
Profile Image for Amber Thompson.
15 reviews
April 27, 2012
Bauer, M. D., & Smith, J. (2009). Martin Luther King, Jr. New York: Scholastic Inc.

Citation created by- Amber Thompson

Call Number- JB King

Description- This book is part of the My First Biography Series. This book is about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His words changed the way people thought, and his actions spurred them on to change the world. The book contains 32 pages with color illustrations.

Content/Scope- This book is part of a wonderful bibliography series for the juvenile audience. The content is about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Accuracy/Authority- The Scholastic Company is a credible source that was established in 1920 and has produced many items for use in education.

Arrangement/Presentation- With simple, lyrical text and bold, kid-friendly illustrations, this book introduces Dr. King to the youngest readers and inspires them to change the world.

Relation to Similar Works- This book is one of several books in the My First Biography series. The books are easy reads with color illustrations and are loaded with great information.

Timeliness/Permanence- Martin Luther King, Jr. is a vital part of the United States history. Information about him will continue to be useful to students and teachers.

Cost- $3.59

Rationale for Selection- This book is great for the collection because it is kid friendly and the information is presented in such a great way. It is an easy read for younger boys and girls and contains wonderful information about Martin Luther King, Jr. This book is also culturally diverse which is needed in this collection.

Reviewed in a Professional Resource- Reviewed by Sharon Salluzzo in Children’s Literature




8 reviews
February 9, 2014
Martin Luther King Jr. by Marion Dane Bauer is a great book to use for a read aloud in a third grade class room. The picture book introduces students to what Martin Luther King Jr. stood for as an adult, as well as the hard times that he encountered as a kid living during a time when African Americans were segregated from and thought to be inferior to white people. Martin Luther King wanted his kids to live in a world where it didn't matter if you were white, black, Asian or any other race, that everyone was created equal and deserved the same amount of respect. It also gives kids a glimpse into the racial tension that existed back then without getting too graphic. This book can be used as a social studies lesson, whether it is during Black History Month or on a regular school day, as well as a lesson to encourage students to treat others like they want to be treated and to not be afraid to stand up for what they believe in. Race is still a problem in today's classrooms, and while it is not as prevalent as it was during the time that Martin Luther King Jr. was alive, it is still present, and I believe it is important for students to learn about this as early as possible. The author seems to believe this too, as he has done everything he can to make sure that he captures the attention of the kids with the detailed illustrations that help tell the story and keep the kids actively engaged in this biographical book.
Profile Image for Twinholly1.
20 reviews1 follower
October 28, 2012
My First Biography: Martin Luther King, Jr. by Marion Dane Bauer is a great introduction to biographies for young readers from Scholastic Inc. I recommend this book for children ages 5-9 years old. The biography tells of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life as a young boy and how he wasn’t able to “go to the same schools as white children. He couldn’t play in the same parks or eat in the same restaurants.” It goes on to tell the resilience of MLK jr. and his passion and achievements as a civil right activist. It is done in simple text that gets the young readers excited about learning more about Martin Luther King Jr. and how they can strive to make a difference too. The young students get a better understanding of equality and how you can change the world too. The illustrations by Jane Smith are a nice addition to biography to keep the young reader interested and wanting to learn more. They are colorful and detailed. Overall a great choice for educators and parents who want to teach their children the importance of Martin Luther King Jr. and the day in which we celebrate his life and his accomplishments.
35 reviews
Read
April 12, 2014
My First Biography: Martin Luther King, Jr. is a simple book for young children to comprehend. It is for children ages 5-9.
This book goes through the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. It illustrates how African Americans were treated differently during his time. For example he was not allowed to go to the same schools the "white" children went to. Segregation is something children most often at the ages 5-9 are unaware of. This book is a great way to start explaining it. Then the book explained the ambitions that Martin Luther King, Jr had.
I like how the images were bold and large. The text was clear and easy to read. Children often choose books they understand. This book can be one of those. The book also contained a lot of information that is important for children to know. I think children would like this book because the topic is interesting and it is told in a kind and friendly way.
I would use this book in working with children, especially in teaching them American history. It is not a great part of our history but it did happen and our children should know it.
Profile Image for Michelle Doerr.
30 reviews3 followers
April 11, 2012
This book is included in a great bibliography series for young children. Bauer takes real life situations that are important for all to know and transforms them into understandable, kid-friendly stories. This story about Martin Luther King Jr. introduces segregation and the civil rights era. The pictures are big and bold, perfect for young ones to take in. The one sentence pages make it easy for discussion on one point at a time through the life of MLK. The intended audience is primary readers. A teacher can use this child-intended bibliography in many ways to instruct. It is perfect when children are being introduced to segregation and discrimination of the past. Also, this book can be used to learn about people who helped changed the world. One more way to incorporate this book into your curriculum is to use it during black history month.
Profile Image for Meghan Mcmanis.
25 reviews4 followers
October 4, 2012
This nonfiction book about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is a great example of how to use (Boring) history and factor it into making it interesting for children and relating it to every day life. The book graphically goes into a vivid description about what MLK's goals were and why he was making a difference. It makes it easy and simple for the child to interpret. Its accurate and shows imagery as well as FACTS. I think that is the hardest part about teaching children nonfiction books, is to get their attention. If I read this in my class I would relate it to real life pictures and stories. My grandpa is African American also, so i have a pretty good background on what went on during that time, I think telling children real life experiences also gets them engaged in what they are learning.



Bauer, Marion. Martin Luther King, Jr.. New York: Scholastic, 2009. Print.
18 reviews1 follower
November 12, 2015
Marion Dane Bauer’s children’s biography Martin Luther King, Jr. tells the story of who Martin Luther King, Jr. was in his adult life, with details from his childhood. He grew up during a time with a lot of racism, and he fought for equality for all races in his late years. This book has amazing details while still being appropriate for young children. The pictures in this book help tell the story and keep kids engaged. I would recommend this book for young children; there are only a few sentences on each page so it is a good beginner book.
18 reviews
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November 17, 2015
This is a nonfictional story about the Dr. Martin Luther King and his dream for equality. It is a story for early elementary students (K-2). The illustrations are quite cartoonish and animated. The illustrations interrelate to text. There are pictures of black children drinking at a "FOR COLORED" fountain and on the next page a picture of white children drinking at a "FOR WHITES" fountain. The story is simple and explains the historical significance of this great leader in U.S history.
Profile Image for LaToya Hixon.
18 reviews
December 8, 2015
This book is consider as a biography book. It speaks about the same things that the other books on Martin Luther King Jr. did. It is just put into a shorter version. This is a great book for young children to read to get a better understand on what Dr.King Jr. did for everyone. I thought this book was going to go into more details but it perfect just the way it is. It pulls out all the important information needed to educate children on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
26 reviews
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November 30, 2016
"Martin Luther King, Jr." by Marion Dane Bauer is a historical picture book that tells the story of one of the most famous African-Americans in history, Martin Luther King, Jr. This book is a part of the "my first biography" series, which teaches small readers about important people in history. This book is meant for young readers, and does a good job at illustrating the life of a famous person who shaped the course of history forever.
12 reviews
November 15, 2013
This was a very k-3 friendly book and introduction to biographic literature. The book covers important parts of King's life while also noting his importance in our history. We used it as a tool to make out a timeline of King's life and all that he accomplished. The vocabulary was elementary school friend, but at the same time rich.
8 reviews
April 24, 2015
This history book is excellent for young readers who learn about race, ethnicity, minority groups, and how some of them have impacted not only the country but the world with the philosophy they predicated during their lives. A book that invites students to dream great things for them, their family, and the community.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
100 reviews
November 7, 2011
This book is a colorful and vivid way to introduce Martin Luther King Jr. and all of his many works through a biographical text structure. This is a great nonfiction fiction text that uses other elements to engage the students in the reading.
Profile Image for Gala.
182 reviews1 follower
January 21, 2012
This was an easy book to read about the history of Martin Luther King Jr. and the people who did not believe that Mr.King and his people deserved to eat and drink with them. Children can read this book in the first and second grade.
78 reviews1 follower
April 2, 2013
This is a great early biography of Martin Luther King, Jr. The text is very simple and early readers will be able to read this on their own. The main fats are represented and the overall story is well put together.
34 reviews
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May 9, 2014
This is a great book to introduce the concept of a biography. This is a biography because it is a person telling the true story of Martin Luther King Jr. This book would be great for a unit during the month of February, and can be used to teach children about civil rights.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews

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