As promised (click here) I wanted to feature an example of vital picture books. Usually I’d promote individual picture books that were remarkable in themselves, which is not particularly the case here. This post is about a remarkable man and his ideas. Picture books about him best communicate his important message into the budding thought of the children who will make an ongoing difference in this world.
The innocent childlike thought can soonest glimpse the obvious and necessary stance this man gave to the world. They are the best perpetuators of tolerance, equality and non-violence. This is education at it’s best, not dumbed down, merely made accessible. We need children grasping the vision of men like Martin Luther King Jr., and then be inspired to stand on his shoulders.
One of my favorite quotes of Martin Luther King Jr.’s is,
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
Books like these, off our own shelves, teach kids the impetus, the blessing and the cost of speaking up. Mostly, they highlight how much one person can do. What are you doing for someone else? Are you overcoming? What are you waiting for?
