You are reading: Children’s books about martin luther king jr
“it is always the right time to do the right thing.”
~ dr. martin luther king jr.
You are reading: Children’s books about martin luther king jr
Updated January 2021!
To honor one of the greatest civil rights leaders and activists, the United States celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. day as a federal holiday. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around the king’s birthday (15).
Inspire your children to stand up for equality with these beautiful children’s books about Martin Luther King Jr.!
22 children’s books about martin luther king jr
preschool
I’m martin luther king, jr. by brad meltzer
This lively, illustrated biography of historian Brad Meltzer gives kids the inspiring message that we can all be heroes. With simple text and cartoon-style illustrations, I’m Martin Luther King Jr. makes King’s life accessible to younger readers. ~ preschool
the story of martin luther king jr. by johnny ray moore
in just 200 simple words the story of martin luther king jr. explains to younger readers how martin luther king jr ended segregation in america. This little board book with its gentle watercolor illustrations is an accessible introduction to one of the most important figures in black history. ~ preschool
my uncle martin’s big heart by angela farris watkins
Told from the perspective of his young niece, Uncle Martin’s Big Heart offers a personal insight into one of the most influential figures of the 20th century. Complemented by Velasquez’s stunning artwork, Angela Farris Watkins gives kids a rare glimpse into their uncle’s life at home, including special family moments. ~ preschool
my first biography: martin luther king, jr. by marion dane bauer
with simple lyrical text and bold illustrations for children, martin luther king, jr. introduces one of the world’s greatest heroes to younger readers and inspires them to change the world. ~ preschool
a sweet smell of roses by angela johnson
there’s a very sweet smell in the air as two girls sneak out of their house, down the street and across town to where men and women gather for a march for freedom and justice led by martin luther king jr . Inspired by countless children and young adults who took a stand, A Sweet Smell of Roses offers a poignant insight into the role of children in the civil rights movement. ~ preschool
elementary school
be a king: dr. the dream of martin luther king jr. and you by carole boston weatherford
“You can be a king. beat the drum for justice. march towards your own conscience.” Through a school project, a class of young students learn to follow the example of dr. martin luther king, who dealt with adversity and never gave up hope for equality and justice. With inspirational text and beautiful watercolor illustrations by the same artist who illustrated before he was Harriet, Be a King is a perfect book to use in the classroom. ~ primary school
as good as any by richard michelson
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martin luther king jr. and abraham joshua heschel are two names that represent the search for justice and equality. Martin grew up in an America plagued by racial discrimination. he became a minister like his dad, preached and marched for civil rights. abraham in a europe that did not welcome the jews. He found a new home in America, where he became a respected rabbi like his father, carrying a message of peace and acceptance. as good as any is the moving story of the remarkable friendship between these two icons of social justice. ~ primary school
the story of martin luther king jr. by christine platt
martin luther king jr was one of the most important civil rights leaders in america. Before making history with his powerful speeches and peaceful protests, Martin was a dedicated and intelligent boy who loved to learn. he challenged racism and overcame the odds to follow his passion and do the right thing. The Story of Martin Luther King Jr. is a beautifully illustrated and easy-to-read chapter book about the remarkable leader. ~ primary school
martin’s great words: the life of dr. martin luther king, jr. by doreen rappaport
With simple text interwoven with some of the king’s famous words, and stunning art, this award-winning biographical book introduces young readers to the life of one of the world’s most influential leaders. Beginning with his childhood, Martin’s Big Words is an exquisite portrait of a man whose dream changed the world forever. Includes a brief chronology and bibliography. ~ primary school
national geographic readers: martin luther king, jr. by kitson jazynka
“Can you imagine a world in which laws kept blacks and whites apart? where black kids can’t swim in the same pools as white kids? national geographic readers: martin luther king, jr. engages level 3 readers with a colorful design and encourages them to explore king’s life through questions, boxes, schedules, diagrams, facts fun and a quiz. ~ primary school
i have a dream by dr. martin luther king jr.
on august 28, 1963, during the march on washington, martin luther king jr. delivered one of the most powerful and memorable speeches in American history. The award-winning i have a dream seamlessly melds the king’s words on liberty and equality with caldecott honor winner kadir nelson’s expressive paintings. Includes an audio CD of the speech. ~ primary school
a place to land: martin luther king jr. and the speech that inspired a nation by barry wittenstein
the night before the historic march on washington, martin luther king jr. he debated, worked, and wrote late into the night, trying to decide what to say and how to say it. Much has been written about Martin Luther King, Jr. and the 1963 march on washington. but there is little about his legendary speech and how he came to write it. strikingly illustrated a place to land tells the story behind one of the most celebrated speeches in united states history. ~ primary school
my brother martin by christine king farris
“dear mother, one day I’m going to turn this world upside down”. In My Brother Martin, King’s older sister shares some of her memories of young Martin, from playing pranks and practicing the piano to a pivotal childhood experience of racism and discrimination that started King’s dream. . ~ primary school
martin’s dream by jane kurtz
With simple text and engaging illustrations, martin’s dream is a perfect first book with biographical images about the king for elementary students. the book is also a great read aloud for non-readers. includes a timeline of important dates. ~ primary school
I’m #4: Martin Luther King Jr. by grace norwich
Written from his own perspective, this chapter book follows King’s life, from his childhood to his famous “I have a dream” speech. i am #4: martin luther king jr. features illustrations, a timeline, maps, sidebars, famous quotes, and a list of important facts about the iconic activist from civil rights. . ~ primary school
my dad, dr. martin luther king, jr. by martin luther, iii king
“I have a dream that my four young children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” One of the four little boys mentioned in King’s powerful “I Have a Dream” speech is Martin Luther King III. My Dad is a moving illustrated memoir that captures the ordinary and extraordinary moments of the author’s brief childhood with his famous father. ~ primary school
my dream of martin luther king by faith ringgold
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“this time we had come to mourn the death of martin luther king exchanging bags containing our prejudices, hatred, ignorance, violence and fear for the dream of the murdered hero. we emptied the bags into a big pile, and when we threw the last bag away, the pile exploded in a fire so bright it lit up the whole world. there, stamped in the sky, were the words: all good things begin with a dream.” My Dream of Martin Luther King is acclaimed artist and fellow civil rights activist Faith Ringgold’s personal and powerful tribute to King’s life. ~ primary school
more information about faith ringgold: featured author: faith ringgold
the march on washington (american girl: true stories of my time) by bonnie bader
Part of the True Stories From My Time series, this nonfiction chapter book introduces young readers to one of the most powerful moments in the civil rights movement. With full-page illustrations, historical photographs, maps, a timeline, a glossary, and a bibliography, The March on Washington is perfect for school use. Additionally, American Girl Melody shares her own experiences growing up during the civil rights movement and dealing with discrimination. ~ primary school
high school
martin rising: requiem for a king by andrea davis pinkney
This poetic and beautiful book analyzes the life of dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from an unusual angle. Through metaphor, spirituality, and multiple layers of meaning, martin rising offers a deeply moving account of the past few months and the murder of one of the most iconic figures in history. American history. perfect for classroom use! ~ elementary school, high school
who was martin luther king, jr.? by bonnie bader
In short chapters with clearly written text, who was martin luther king, jr. takes a look at king’s life and explains the historical context in a way accessible to older elementary and high school students. secondary. eighty black and white illustrations perfectly complement the text. ~ elementary school, high school
Free at last: the story of martin luther king, jr. by angela bull
With simple text, informative sidebars, and expressive illustrations, Free at last! is a Martin Luther King Jr. biography for competent readers that gives a good insight into the life of the slain civil rights leader, from his childhood to his death. ~ elementary school, high school
martin & anne: the kindred spirits of dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Anne Frank by Nancy Churnin
anne frank and martin luther king jr. they were born the same year in a world apart. both faced ugly prejudice and violence, to which they both responded with words of love and faith in humanity. beautifully illustrated martin & Anne is the story of their parallel journeys to find hope in the dark and follow their dreams. ~ high school
portraits of african american heroes by tonya bolden
Portraits of African American Heroes is a stunningly beautiful collection of biographies. Consisting of three-page biographies and striking black-and-white portraits, the book features twenty prominent African-Americans in fields including politics, sports, science, and entertainment. ~ elementary school, high school
martin luther king jr.: a graphic history of America’s great civil rights leaders by rachel ruiz
martin luther king jr. is a riveting graphic novel about the inspiring civil rights leader that will captivate even the most reluctant reader. Follows the life of Luther King from his early childhood in Atlanta to his leading role in the civil rights movement. ~ high school
memphis, martin, and the top of the mountain: the 1968 sanitation strike by alice faye duncan
Prompted by the deaths of two colleagues due to unsafe equipment, Memphis sanitation workers went on strike for two months in February 1968. The strike became Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. For justice. he was assassinated in his memphis hotel the day after he gave his “i’ve been to the top of the mountain” sermon. In a powerful combination of poetry and prose, Memphis, Martin and the Mountaintop presents these historic events from the perspective of nine-year-old Lorraine Jackson, whose father participated in the protest. ~ african – high school
high school
dear martin by nic stone
Top of his class and ready for the ivy league, justyce writes a diary for martin lurther king jr. in an attempt to make sense of a police encounter in which he was treated rudely and unfairly. When he is involved in another police encounter in which shots are fired, Justyce finds himself under attack from the media. dear martin is a must read that addresses the myth that if you do nothing wrong, you have nothing to fear from the police. ~ african – high school
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