If you’re a teacher, you know time is precious. Between fast-paced curriculum and unexpected schedule changes, finding time to teach everything you need to can be challenging.
Picture books are one of my favorite tools when I’m short on time. The right picture book can be the perfect way to introduce a historical figure like Martin Luther King Jr.
Here are my five favorite Martin Luther King Jr. books for kids. Enjoy!
Disclosure: Some of the links below are Amazon affiliate links. This means that I may earn commissions for purchases made by clicking the link.
I am Martin Luther King Jr.
Book Description:
This is a great introductory book about the life of Martin Luther King Jr.
Starting with Dr. King’s childhood, this book chronicles his early experiences with racism and discrimination. It also discusses his influences and the principles that guided his fight for equality. This book does not discuss Dr. King’s assassination.
Your students will enjoy the fun, cartoon-style illustrations in this book.
This book is appropriate for ages 8 and up.
Ideas for using this book:
This book would be a great way to introduce Dr. King. Although your students might be familiar with Martin Luther King, it’s always a good idea to find out what your students know and what information might be missing. Before reading, discuss what students already know about Martin Luther King and Black History Month.
Consider asking students:
- Do you know who Martin Luther King is?
- What do you know about MLK?
- What do you know about Black History Month?
Reading to Kids has more helpful discussion questions to use before and after reading.
This book also covers many of Martin Luther King’s childhood experiences with injustice and racism. As you read, make a list of these experiences. Then, discuss how these experiences may have influenced Dr. King and his work in the Civil Rights Movement.
Martin’s Big Words
Book Description:
Each page of this powerful book features a quote from MLK. The book tells the story of Dr. King’s life through these quotes and beautiful illustrations. Rather than giving a detailed biographical overview, this book covers key events, emphasizing MLK’s principles of nonviolence and equality.
This book is appropriate for ages 10 and up.
Ideas for using this book:
Martin Luther King is known for his powerful speeches and quotes, many of which are included in this book. After reading, I’ve created a free MLK quote activity that is the perfect follow-up.
In this free MLK quote activity, your students will learn about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life, reflect upon their own lives, and illustrate their favorite quote from MLK.
If you want students to get even more creative, they can create a poster about one Martin Luther King Jr. quote. Students can create this artwork by hand or digitally. Learning to Give has more information on this and other extension projects here.
I Have a Dream
Book Description:
This book shares powerful portions of Dr. King’s I Have a Dream speech. Caldecott Honor winner Kadir Nelson’s colorful paintings help students better understand the meaning of the famous speech.
This book is appropriate for ages 8 and up.
Ideas for using this book:
This is a great book to read while studying Dr. King’s I Have a Dream speech. You can read a transcript of Dr. King’s original speech or listen to parts of Dr. King’s speech as read in the book here.
The beautiful pictures and messages in this book offer an excellent opportunity for students to create their own artwork representing a dream students have for their country. Grinnell College has some excellent guidelines for such a project here.
Be a King: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream and You
Book Description:
Each page of this next MLK book begins with “You can be a King” and explains how kids can fight for equality.
This book is appropriate for ages 8 and up.
Ideas for using this book:
Sometimes, helping students connect to historical figures can be challenging. This book allows students to see how they can make a positive difference, just as Dr. King did. After reading this book, ask students to discuss how to “be a King.” Students can write their ideas down to create a classroom bulletin board display. See an example here.
Let the Children March
Book Description:
Dr. King was known for leading and supporting nonviolent protests. This MLK book is written from the perspective of a young girl who marched in the 1963 Children’s Crusade in Birmingham, Alabama.
During this peaceful march, police released water hoses and dogs on the protesters. Although the main character experiences fear and uncertainty during the march, she also sees how their protest makes a difference.
This book is appropriate for ages 10 and up.
Ideas for using this book:
The illustrator Frank Morrison based many of his illustrations on actual photographs and film recordings of the Children’s Crusade. Ask students what images in the book stood out most and why.
Then, select a few photos from the Children’s Crusade to share with students. How do you think people reacted to these photos in 1963? How can media like images and photographs influence public opinion?
The American Library Association has more classroom activities and discussion questions for this book here.
More Resources
I hope these Martin Luther King picture books for kids will be a helpful resource for you.
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