On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his I Have a Dream speech, a speech that is still remembered and honored today. I Have a Dream by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., published in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the minister and civil rights leaders dramatic speech, is a childrens book for all ages that adults will also find meaningful. Excerpts of the speech, chosen for their accessibility to childrens understanding, are paired with the stunning oil paintings of artist Kadir Nelson.

At the end of the book, which is in picture book format, youll find the full text of the Dr. Kings speech. A CD of the original speech is also included with the book.

Dr. King delivered his speech to the more than a quarter of a million people participating in the March for Jobs and Freedom. He delivered his speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. While stressing nonviolence, Dr. King made it clear that, Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. In the speech, Dr. King outlined his dream for a better America. While the speech, which was interrupted by cheers and applause from the enthusiastic audience, only lasted about 15 minutes, it and the integrated march had a profound impact on the Civil Rights Movement.

I had the opportunity to hear Kadir Nelson speak at the 2012 Book Expo America Childrens Literature Breakfast about the research he did, the approach he took, and his goals in creating the oil paintings for I Have a Dream. Nelson said he had to memorize Dr. Kings speech on short notice as a fifth grader just after moving to a new school.

He said doing so made him feel stronger and more confident, and he hoped I Have a Dream would similarly affect children today.

Kadir Nelson said that at first he wondered what he could contribute to Dr. Kings magnificent vision. In preparation, he listened to