Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Five Children’s Books To Read

By Allison Cary | January 13, 2022

Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This holiday honors one of the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Despite the hate directed at him, Dr. King chose to lead through non-violence and promoted a vision of America where all people were equal. The rippling impact of his work can still be felt today.

Dr. King is a monumental figure in American history. While there are countless great children’s books that highlight who he was and what he did, here are some of our favorites. For each book, we included a link to Amazon to purchase. We encourage you to link your account with Amazon Smile, so that a small percentage of your purchases go to a charity of your choice. Once you sign up, you can select the Center for Creative Education for donation.

I am Brave: A Little Book About Martin Luther King, Jr.

Ages 2-5

This book is part of a series that highlights the traits that defined our greatest historical figures. Dr. King’s story focuses on his bravery and uses interactive elements and factual tidbits to show children how they can be like him!

Buy it here: https://amzn.to/3FjWW9v

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

Ages 7-10

A Place To Land homes in on a specific moment in Dr. King’s life—the night before his famous I Have A Dreamspeech at the 1963 March on Washington, when he and his advisors were struggling to finish the writing process. The book highlights his journey to find “a place to land” his famous speech.

Buy it here: https://amzn.to/3I2wNhj

March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed The World

Ages 8-12

Written by Dr. King’s sister, Christine King Farris, March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed The World is a personal celebration of the 1963 March on Washington. Farris explores her childhood with her brother, the night before his big speech, and the lasting impact of the march.

Buy it here: https://amzn.to/31XNyeg

Memphis, Martin, And The Mountaintop

Ages 7-10

Told from the perspective of a nine-year-old girl, Memphis, Martin, and The Mountaintop explores the 1968 Sanitation Strike in Memphis, Tennessee. This was Dr. King’s final stand for justice before his assassination.

Buy it here: https://amzn.to/3I18hNI