Throughout the book, the combination of watercolor and collage takes the reader through key moments in MLK’s life. Collier stated himself that “it's about all these different pieces of glass and colors put together to make something whole” (Collier). On page one, readers can see Martin and his mother standing against a cityscape. At first glance, three aspects of the image catch one’s eye: Martin, his mother, and the fountain that reads “Whites Only” (Rappaport and Collier 1). Martin and his mother stand out from the cityscape because they are made out of watercolor. Martin points with his hand toward the fountain which centers it in contradiction with the two figures. Instead of the watercolored figures jarring readers against the background made out of different shapes, they work together to create synergy, and therefore, they become a part of the collage.

Considering the collage background by itself, different shapes work together to create the cityscape of Atlanta. Cut outs of different types of papers mixed with different patterns and colors almost create a patchwork similar to a quilt or, considering what Collier stated himself in an interview, a stained glass window: “The stained glass windows run throughout the whole book just because of that metaphor of Dr. King bringing something together to make something whole” (Collier). This interconnectedness continues throughout the book and creates an effective overarching theme for the reader to weave into the story of MLK.

Word Count: 278

Works Cited:

Collier, Brian. Meet-the-Illustrator Recording with Bryan Collier. 2009. TeachingBooks, TeachingBooks, https://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?a=1&id=3730.

Rappaport, Doreen, and Bryan Collier. Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2001.