I’ve Seen the Promised Land

I've Seen the Promised Land Book Cover Enlarge Book Cover

I’ve Seen the Promised Land

About the Book

A stunning picture book biography of the civil rights icon from the author of two Newbery Honor Books and six Coretta Scott King Awardees. Set against key moments of the civil rights movement, here is the story of the powerful, eloquent spiritual leader and his belief that nonviolence could be used as a tool to begin to address racial discrimination.

Walter Dean Myers’s moving narrative and Leonard Jenkins’s compelling paintings convey a vivid and striking image of the man who moved American society closer to the ideals of freedom and fairness.

“In a clear and cogent manner, Myers frames King’s political efforts and his belief in nonviolent demonstration for change with information about the personal consequences to the man and his family. Jenkins’s stunning collage artwork dramatically reflects the events described in the narrative.” (School Library Journal)

“Jenkins’ dramatic, double-page collage illustrations set close-up portraits of the leader against crowd scenes of political marches and violent conflict. Then, after the glory of the March on Washington, there’s a double-page spread showing the horror of the Birmingham deaths. The book ends with King’s assassination, but words and pictures show his strength and his enduring message against racism and for peace.” (Booklist)

“There’s always room for another book about the heroic leader, especially when it’s a picture-book biography as good as this one.” (Kirkus)

Product Details

ISBN: 9780060277031
Imprint: Quill Tree Books
On Sale: Dec 23, 2003
List price: $17.99
No of pages: 40
Trim Size: 9.100 in (w) x 10.300 in (h) x 0.550 in (d)
BISAC 1: JUVENILE NONFICTION / Biography & Autobiography / Social Activists
BISAC 2: JUVENILE NONFICTION / African American & Black
BISAC 3: JUVENILE NONFICTION / History / United States / 20th Century

Walter Dean Myers

Biography

Walter Dean Myers was the New York Times bestselling author of Monster, the winner of the first Michael L. Printz Award; a National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature; and an inaugural NYC Literary Honoree. Myers was recognized by every single major award in the field of children’s literature. He was the author of two Newbery Honor Books and five Coretta Scott King Book Award winners. He was the recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults and a three-time National Book Award finalist as well as the first ever recipient of the Coretta Scott King–Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Leonard Jenkins

Biography

Leonard Jenkins received his B.F.A. from the American Academy of Art in Chicago. He is the illustrator of Sunflower Island by Carol Greene, which received a starred review in Publishers Weekly. Mr. Jenkins lives in New York City.

Reviews

“Leonard Jenkins’s paintings are both novel and striking.” — Washington Post

“In a clear and cogent manner, Myers frames King’s political efforts and his belief in nonviolent demonstration for change with information about the personal consequences to the man and his family. Jenkins’s stunning collage artwork dramatically reflects the events described in the narrative. This book makes an excellent starting point to introduce young readers to King.” — School Library Journal

“Jenkins’s artwork is potent and explosive, freely melding finely drafted faces with almost photorealistic features, broad swaths of thickly applied media, hasty swirls of streetwise graffiti, superheated colors bursting from shadows, and Biblical imagery befitting a man of the cloth. Do you really need yet another biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? When it’s this one, yes, you do.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“The focus here is on his public image, and words and art combine the essentials of his life story with an overview of the civil rights movement. Jenkins’ dramatic, double-page collage illustrations set close-up portraits of the leader against crowd scenes of political marches and violent conflict. Then, after the glory of the March on Washington, there’s a double-page spread showing the horror of the Birmingham deaths. The book ends with King’s assassination, but words and pictures show his strength and his enduring message against racism and for peace.” — Booklist

About the Book

A stunning picture book biography of the civil rights icon from the author of two Newbery Honor Books and six Coretta Scott King Awardees. Set against key moments of the civil rights movement, here is the story of the powerful, eloquent spiritual leader and his belief that nonviolence could be used as a tool to begin to address racial discrimination.

Walter Dean Myers’s moving narrative and Leonard Jenkins’s compelling paintings convey a vivid and striking image of the man who moved American society closer to the ideals of freedom and fairness.

“In a clear and cogent manner, Myers frames King’s political efforts and his belief in nonviolent demonstration for change with information about the personal consequences to the man and his family. Jenkins’s stunning collage artwork dramatically reflects the events described in the narrative.” (School Library Journal)

“Jenkins’ dramatic, double-page collage illustrations set close-up portraits of the leader against crowd scenes of political marches and violent conflict. Then, after the glory of the March on Washington, there’s a double-page spread showing the horror of the Birmingham deaths. The book ends with King’s assassination, but words and pictures show his strength and his enduring message against racism and for peace.” (Booklist)

“There’s always room for another book about the heroic leader, especially when it’s a picture-book biography as good as this one.” (Kirkus)

Product Details

ISBN: 9780060277031
Imprint: Quill Tree Books
On Sale: Dec 23, 2003
List price: $17.99
No of pages: 40
Trim Size: 9.100 in (w) x 10.300 in (h) x 0.550 in (d)
BISAC 1: JUVENILE NONFICTION / Biography & Autobiography / Social Activists
BISAC 2: JUVENILE NONFICTION / African American & Black
BISAC 3: JUVENILE NONFICTION / History / United States / 20th Century

Walter Dean Myers

Biography

Walter Dean Myers was the New York Times bestselling author of Monster, the winner of the first Michael L. Printz Award; a National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature; and an inaugural NYC Literary Honoree. Myers was recognized by every single major award in the field of children’s literature. He was the author of two Newbery Honor Books and five Coretta Scott King Book Award winners. He was the recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults and a three-time National Book Award finalist as well as the first ever recipient of the Coretta Scott King–Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Leonard Jenkins

Biography

Leonard Jenkins received his B.F.A. from the American Academy of Art in Chicago. He is the illustrator of Sunflower Island by Carol Greene, which received a starred review in Publishers Weekly. Mr. Jenkins lives in New York City.

Reviews

“Leonard Jenkins’s paintings are both novel and striking.” — Washington Post

“In a clear and cogent manner, Myers frames King’s political efforts and his belief in nonviolent demonstration for change with information about the personal consequences to the man and his family. Jenkins’s stunning collage artwork dramatically reflects the events described in the narrative. This book makes an excellent starting point to introduce young readers to King.” — School Library Journal

“Jenkins’s artwork is potent and explosive, freely melding finely drafted faces with almost photorealistic features, broad swaths of thickly applied media, hasty swirls of streetwise graffiti, superheated colors bursting from shadows, and Biblical imagery befitting a man of the cloth. Do you really need yet another biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? When it’s this one, yes, you do.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“The focus here is on his public image, and words and art combine the essentials of his life story with an overview of the civil rights movement. Jenkins’ dramatic, double-page collage illustrations set close-up portraits of the leader against crowd scenes of political marches and violent conflict. Then, after the glory of the March on Washington, there’s a double-page spread showing the horror of the Birmingham deaths. The book ends with King’s assassination, but words and pictures show his strength and his enduring message against racism and for peace.” — Booklist

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