Kids’ Books Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

BE A KING Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream and You

Featuring a dual narrative of the critical moments of Dr. King’s life alongside a modern class as the students learn about him, Carole Weatherford’s poetic text encapsulates the moments that readers today can reenact in their own lives. See a class of young students as they begin a school project inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and learn to follow his example as he dealt with adversity and never lost hope that a future of equality and justice would soon be a reality. As times change, Dr. King’s example remains, encouraging a new generation of children to take charge and change the world . . . to be a King.

The Story of Martin Luther King Jr. A Biography Book For New Readers

Martin Luther King Jr became one of America’s most important civil rights leaders by fighting for equality for black people. Before he made history with his powerful speeches and peaceful protests, Martin was a dedicated, smart kid who loved to learn. He challenged racism and overcame hardships to follow his passion and do the right thing.

Of all the Martin Luther King Jr books for kids, this one helps you explore how Martin went from being a kid with a dream to an outstanding leader who made America a better place for everyone. How will his life inspire you to do what’s right?

I Have A Dream Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

From Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s daughter, Dr. Bernice A. King: “My father’s dream continues to live on from generation to generation, and this beautiful and powerful illustrated edition of his world-changing “I Have a Dream” speech brings his inspiring message of freedom, equality, and peace to the youngest among us—those who will one day carry his dream forward for everyone.

Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr., was among the most influential and gifted speakers. Doreen Rappaport uses quotes from some of his most beloved speeches to tell the story of his life and work in a simple, direct way. Bryan Collier’s stunning collage art combines remarkable watercolor paintings with vibrant patterns and textures. A timeline and a list of additional books and websites help make this a standout biography of Dr. King.

 I am Martin Luther King, Jr.

Even as a child, Martin Luther King, Jr. was shocked by the terrible and unfair way African-American people were treated. When he grew up, he decided to do something about it—peacefully, with powerful words. He helped gather people for nonviolent protests and marches and always spoke up about loving other human beings and doing what was right. He spoke about the dream of a kinder future and bravely led toward racial equality in America.

My Dream of Martin Luther King 

In My Dream of Martin Luther King, Caldecott Honor artist Faith Ringgold brings her voice and artistic vision to the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the history of the civil rights movement. Illustrated with the dramatic folk-modern paintings for which Faith Ringgold is renowned, this inspiring story begins with her dream of Dr. Martin Luther King and ends with the promise of peace and hope.

My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King III was one of those four little children mentioned in Martin Luther King’s groundbreaking “I Have a Dream” speech. In this memoir, Martin Luther King Jr.’s son gives an intimate look at the man and the father behind the civil rights leader. Mr. King’s remembrances show his warm, loving family and a momentous time in American history.

Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr.?

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was only 25 when he helped organize the Montgomery Bus Boycott and was soon organizing black people across the country to support the right to vote, desegregation, and other fundamental civil rights. Maintaining nonviolent and peaceful tactics even when his life was threatened, King advocated for the poor and spoke out against racial and economic injustice until his death—from an assassin’s bullet—in 1968. With clearly written text that explains this tumultuous time in history and 80 black-and-white illustrations, this Who Was? celebrates the vision and the legacy of a remarkable man.

A Place to Land: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Speech That Inspired a Nation

Much has been written about Martin Luther King, Jr. and the 1963 March on Washington. But there’s little on his legendary speech and how he came to write it.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was once asked if the most challenging part of preaching was knowing where to begin. No, he said. The hardest part is knowing where to end. “It’s terrible to be circling up without a place to land.”

Martin Luther King, Jr. struggled with finding this place to land, alongside advisors and fellow speechwriters, in the Willard Hotel the night before the March on Washington, where he gave his historic “I Have a Dream” speech. But those famous words were never intended to be heard on that day, not even written down for that day, not even once.

We March

On August 28, 1963, a remarkable event took place–more than 250,000 people gathered in our nation’s capital to participate in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The march began at the Washington Monument and ended with a rally at the Lincoln Memorial, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his historic “I Have a Dream” speech, advocating racial harmony. Many words have been written about that day, but few are as delicate and powerful as those presented here by award-winning author and illustrator Shane W. Evans. Combined with his simple yet compelling illustrations, the thrill of the day is brought to life for even the youngest reader to experience.

My Little Golden Book About Martin Luther King Jr.

This Little Golden Book captures the essence of Martin Luther King, Jr. for the littlest readers. They’ll learn how his childhood in segregated Atlanta—and his father’s church—shaped the future civil rights leader. And they’ll understand clearly how he became an eloquent, powerful voice for African Americans.

Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop: The Sanitation Strike of 1968

This picture book tells the story of a nine-year-old girl who, in 1968, witnessed the Memphis sanitation strike – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s final stand for justice before his assassination – when her father, a sanitation worker, participated in the protest.

In February 1968, two African American sanitation workers were killed by unsafe equipment in Memphis, Tennessee. Outraged at the city’s refusal to recognize a labor union that would fight for higher pay and safer working conditions, sanitation workers went on strike. The strike lasted two months, during which Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was called to help with the protests. While his presence was incredibly inspiring to the community, this, unfortunately, would be his last stand for justice. In his Memphis hotel, he was assassinated the day after delivering his “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” sermon in Mason Temple Church. Inspired by the memories of a teacher who participated in the strike as a child, author Alice Faye Duncan reveals the Memphis sanitation strike’s story from the perspective of a young girl with a riveting combination of poetry and prose.