Martin Luther King Jr. picture book recommendation are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.
(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. These titles can be found on my Amazon Storefront under Martin Luther King Jr. Picture Books– https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/1Y44ZQM7YUC3M?ref_=aipsflist)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial
by Marie Roesser (Author)
Summary: This nonfiction book explains how and why the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial in Washington, DC, was built between 2009 and 2011. It provides background on the memorial’s design and symbolism, including the Mountain of Despair, the Mountain of Hope, and the fourteen Martin Luther King Jr. quotations engraved throughout the site.
Comments: This book includes several nonfiction text features, such as photographs, labels, a map, a glossary, an index, and a table of contents, to name a few. It is appropriate for students in grades 2–3.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day
by Katie Peters (Author)
Summary: This nonfiction book is ideal for toddlers through first grade, with large photographs and simple sentences that introduce the philosophy of Martin Luther King Jr.
Comments: This would be a good introductory nonfiction book. It includes an index, but has few other nonfiction text features.
Rating: 3.5 📗📗📗1/2
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
You Are a Star, Martin Luther King, Jr.
by Dean Robbins (Author), Anastasia Magloire Williams (Illustrator)
Summary: This narrative nonfiction book is told from the first-person point of view of Martin Luther King Jr. It begins with the March on Washington in 1963, then provides backstory about his life leading up to the “I Have a Dream” speech and continues with events afterward.
Comments: The author’s note at the back briefly mentions his assassination in 1968, but it is presented in a non-graphic and sensitive way that is not upsetting for young readers. The book also includes a glossary, a timeline, and additional supplementary material at the back.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
by Mari Shuh (Author)
Summary: This nonfiction children’s book begins with a young child, Eli, asking what they will do for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It explains the history of the holiday, shares facts about Dr. King, and highlights the lessons and values readers are encouraged to learn.
Comments: This book is geared toward primary elementary students in grades K–2. It includes many photographs, fun fact boxes, a glossary, and other nonfiction text features.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
We Dream a World: Carrying the Light From My Grandparents Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King
by Yolanda Renee King (Author), Nicole Tadgell (Illustrator)
Summary: This narrative nonfiction story is told from the perspective of Yolanda Renee King, the only granddaughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. In the book, she reflects on her elders’ accomplishments and expresses her wish to carry on their dream, while also asking others how they plan to continue the legacy of her grandparents.
Comments: The back sections include a message from Yolanda’s parents, a note from the illustrator, and a section on Yolanda’s inspiration. I also enjoyed seeing photos of everyone.
The illustrations are beautifully created using traditional techniques, including Winsor & Newton watercolors on Fabriano Artistico, hot-press paper with graphite, and digitally refined in Adobe Photoshop.
Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Ready-to-Read Level 1
by Margaret McNamara (Author), Mike Gordon (Illustrator)
Summary: The Robin Hill School kids go on a field trip to a museum and stop in front of a bust of Martin Luther King Jr. Their teacher tells the group about his dream, and back in the classroom, the students discuss their own dreams for the world.
Comments: This is a Level One Star Reader, making it a great introduction for teachers to share with their students. It can easily be followed by a discussion about the dreams students have for creating a better world.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Library Themed Books children’s book recommendation are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.
(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)
The selected children’s books are chosen by a certified, retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.
Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is for the complimentary copies that she receives for an honest review, which are duly noted.