Martin Luther King Jr Books for Kids

* A Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book *

On August 28, 1963, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington, Martin Luther King gave one of the most powerful and memorable speeches in our nation’s history.

His words, paired with Caldecott Honor winner Kadir Nelson’s magnificent paintings, make for a picture book certain to be treasured by children and adults alike.

The themes of equality and freedom for all are not only relevant today, 50 years later, but also provide young readers with an important introduction to our nation’s past.

Included with the book is an audio CD of the speech.

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 in his father’s church — shaped the future civil rights leader.

And they’ll gain a clear understanding of the way he became an eloquent, powerful voice for African Americans.

This picture-book biography is an excellent and accessible introduction for young readers to learn about one of the world’s most influential leaders, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Doreen Rappaport weaves the immortal words of Dr. King into a captivating narrative to tell the story of his life.

With stunning art by acclaimed illustrator Bryan Collier, Martin’s Big Words is an unforgettable portrait of a man whose dream changed America-and the world-forever.

Featuring a dual narrative of the key 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. 

As times change, Dr. King’s example remains, encouraging a new generation of children to take charge and change the world.

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 together for nonviolent protests and marches, and he always spoke up about loving other human beings and doing what’s right.

He spoke about the dream of a kinder future, and bravely led the way toward racial equality in America.

With simple, lyrical text and bold, kid-friendly illustrations, this book introduces Dr. King to the youngest readers and inspires them to change the world.

In this level two biography, difficult concepts are made understandable and transitioned into a more approachable manner.

This includes the use of sidebars, timetables, diagrams and fun facts to hold the interest of the young reader.

The colorful design and educational illustrations round out this text as an exemplary book for their young minds to explore.

A brief, illustrated, biography of the Baptist minister and civil rights leader whose philosophy and practice of nonviolent civil disobedience helped American blacks win many battles for equal rights.

Beginning readers will learn about the milestones in Martin Luther King Jr.’s life in this Level Two I Can Read biography, which combines a traditional, illustrated narrative with historical photographs at the back of book — complete with a timeline, illustrations, and interesting facts.

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 in support of the right to vote, desegregation, and other basic civil rights.

Maintaining nonviolent and peaceful tactics even when his life was threatened, King was also an advocate 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.

This little board book uses only approximately 200 words to tell about the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. and to explain, in simple terms, how he ended segregation in America.

When Mrs. Conner’s class learns about a great man, they discover their own dreams and hopes for a better world!

Long before he became a world-famous dreamer, Martin Luther King Jr. was a little boy who played jokes and practiced the piano and made friends without considering race.

But growing up in the segregated south of the 1930s taught young Martin a bitter lesson — little white children and little black children were not to play with one another.

Martin decided then and there that something had to be done.

And so he began the journey that would change the course of American history.

This book is beautifully-rendered study of Martin Luther King Jr.’s life, told in simple, straightforward language for even the youngest of readers to understand.

Pinkney’s scratchboard and oil pastel illustrations convey both the strength and gentleness of King’s character.

Both text and art carry his central message of peace and brotherhood among all people.