Love Will See You Through: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Six Guiding Beliefs (as told by his niece)

by Angela Farris Watkins, Sally Wern Comport (Illustrator)

Overview

The niece of Martin Luther King, Jr. reveals six timeless and universal principles that encompass the civil rights leader’s greatest legacy: Love will see you through.

Growing up as the niece of Martin Luther King Jr., Angela Farris Watkins witnessed firsthand the principles and values that “Uncle M.L.” practiced and lived by throughout his fight for equality. Drawing from experiences and episodes both personal and well-known, Dr. Watkins artfully details the guiding beliefs of one of the greatest men in history. Including “have courage” and “love your enemies,” these six hallmarks of virtue and nonviolence reinforce the truth that “the universe honors love” and will inspire readers of all ages.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781416986935
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication date:	12/30/2014
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	10.10(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.60(d)
Lexile:	AD970L (what's this?)
Age Range:	6 - 11 Years

About the Author

Angela Farris Watkins, PhD, is the niece of Martin Luther King Jr. She is an associate professor of psychology at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Watkins is a certified trainer of Kingian Nonviolence, the principles and steps of social change espoused by her uncle. Her books for children include Love Will See You Through: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Six Guiding Beliefs; My Uncle Martin’s Words for America; and My Uncle Martin’s Big Heart.

Sally Wern Comport has illustrated numerous picture books and novels, including Love Will See You Through: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Six Guiding Beliefs (as told by his niece); Brave Margaret: An Irish Adventure; Hanging Off Jefferson’s Nose: Growing Up on Mt. Rushmore; and the Spy Mice series. She has also translated her picture making skills to various large-scale public, private, and institutional artworks. Sally lives with her husband and two daughters in Annapolis, Maryland, where she operates Art at Large Inc. Learn more at ArtAtLargeInc.com.

Editorial Reviews

11/10/2014
As in My Uncle Martin’s Big Heart and My Uncle Martin’s Words for America, Watkins pays tribute to her uncle, Martin Luther King Jr. She condenses King’s doctrine of embracing love and eschewing violence into six principles that include dictates (“Have courage”; “Love your enemies”) and reflections (“When innocent people are hurt, others are inspired to help”; “The universe honors love”). Some of the author’s observations, though, may require further explanation (“He put a lot of love out into the universe, and the universe honored him by giving him the power to achieve great things”). Watkins again uses events in King’s life (organizing the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott, protesting segregation in Birmingham in 1963) to illustrate his dedication to acting on his convictions. Comport (Hanging Off Jefferson’s Nose) features intense shades of orange, fuchsia, and purple in her energetic mixed-media art, which incorporates imposing display type and occasional newspaper excerpts illuminating the turbulence of the time. Especially striking are her conspicuous portraits of hands: raised in protest, folded in prayer, and linked in solidarity. Ages 6–11. Author’s agent: Jennifer Lyons, Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency. Illustrator’s agency: Shannon Associates. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

"The picture-book format features compelling, expressive artwork. King’s guiding beliefs spill across the pages in bold, oversize font, accompanied by detailed illustrations in rich, somber hues."

Booklist

"The picture-book format features compelling, expressive artwork. King’s guiding beliefs spill across the pages in bold, oversize font, accompanied by detailed illustrations in rich, somber hues."

Booklist

10/01/2014
Gr 2–6—In this vividly illustrated picture book, Watkins, niece of Martin Luther King Jr., provides a simplified version of his six guiding principles of nonviolence: have courage; love your enemies; fight the problem, not the person who caused it; when innocent people are hurt, others are inspired to help; resist violence of any kind; and the universe honors love. Referring to King as "Uncle Martin," Watkins states each principle and then describes one clearly written example of how King followed it. Instances selected include the burning of King's home in 1956 and King's famous "Letter from Birmingham Jail," in which he argued for nonviolent resistance. The bold, colorful mixed-media illustrations capture the emotion of the situations described, and Watkins's writing style is conversational but impassioned ("So even when Uncle Martin was hurt, he did not respond with violence."). Though informative, this title lacks back matter. An excellent choice for younger students studying King and for teachers explaining violence in history and current events, as well as for beginning middle school students.—Stephanie Farnlacher, Trace Crossings Elementary School, Hoover, AL

School Library Journal

2014-10-15
Lessons for life presented by Dr. King's niece.Watkins defines the "six guiding beliefs" of the subtitle by describing six events from the civil rights movement in which Dr. King was steadfastly governed by his faith in "love and nonviolence." The first precept, "Have Courage," was demonstrated during the Montgomery Bus Boycott when his home was bombed. "Love Your Enemies" is the message of a Sunday morning sermon. "Fight the Problem, Not the Person Who Caused It" is exemplified by the letters written during his imprisonment in Birmingham. The 1965 voter-registration drive in Selma, Alabama, illustrates the belief that "When Innocent People Are Hurt, Others are Inspired to Help." "Resist Violence of any Kind" refers to a 1966 incident in Chicago when Dr. King was hit in the head by a rock. And finally, "The Universe Honors Love" is seen in the tributes bestowed after his assassination. King is always referred to as "Uncle Martin" in this very personal homage. No references or sources are provided, and beyond a mention of President Lyndon Johnson's signing of the Voting Rights Bill of 1965, there is no indication that anyone else was involved in the struggle. Comport's double-page mixed-media collage and digital illustrations are strong and more effective than the text in conveying the measure of the man. A heartfelt sermon, but useful only as a supplement. (Informational picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews