The Cart That Carried Martin

by Eve Bunting and Don Tate

"The cart was old. Its paint had faded. It was for sale outside Cook's Antiques and... read more

"The cart was old. Its paint had faded. It was for sale outside Cook's Antiques and Stuff. Nobody wanted it." But when someone finally did, the store was closed. The two men decided to borrow it. It was painted green. Two mules named Belle and Ada were hitched to it. "Ordinary mules for an ordinary funeral ... That was what he wanted." A stirring picture book describes the procession and funerals for Martin Luther King, Jr. "The church throbbed with the sounds of singing. The songs were not sad but there was a terrible sadness in them anyway. Men and women and children wept." The humble cart was carrying a great man whose life and dreams could not be overshadowed by his death. There are moments in the writing and illustrations both that are especially effective and moving as they capture the essence and intensity of feelings at the time of King's death. A photograph of the cart during the funeral procession appears at book's end with brief information about King. (Ages 5-8)

© Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2014

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