Children's Titles to Commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day
On January 18 we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day marking the accomplishments of Dr. King in the fight for racial justice and civil rights for all. Below are some book (both digital and print) and DVD recomendations about this inspiring leader to share with children, including some Spanish-language titles.
To Read: E-Books
I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King Jr., illustrated by Kadir Nelson
A Place to Land: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Speech that Inspired a Nation by Barry Wittenstein, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
Meet Martin Luther King Jr. by James T. De Kay
Martin Luther King Jr. : Walking in the Light by Jon M. Fishman (always available—no wait)
Dream March: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the March on Washington by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, illustrated by Sally Wern Comport
To Read: Graphic Novels
Martin Luther King Jr.: Let Freedom Ring by Michael Teitelbaum and Lewis Helfand, art by Sankha Banerjee
Martin Luther King Jr.: Great Civil Rights Leader by Jennifer Fandel and Brian Bascle
Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Graphic History of America's Great Civil Rights Leader by Rachel Ruiz, illustrations by Fiona W. Dunn and Sarah Skeate
Martin Luther King Jr. and the March on Washington by Gary Jeffrey
To Read: Print Books
Martin Luther King Jr. by Wil Mara (or, read from home with your library card via Bookflix)
Martin Luther King Jr.: The Peaceful Warrior by Ed Clayton, illustrated by Donald Bermudez
Martin Luther King Jr. by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara, illustrated by Mai Ly Degnan
Be a King: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Dream and You by Carole Boston Weatherfor, illustrated by James Ransome (also available as an e-book)
Martin Luther King Jr.: Civil Rights Leader and American Hero by Hugh Roome
To Watch
Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and More Stories From the African-American Tradition a video version of the book by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Bryan Collier (watch from home with your library card via Bookflix)
History Kids: Martin Luther King Jr. (DVD)
Our Friend, Martin (DVD)
The Cart That Carried Martin (DVD)
To Read: In Spanish
¿Quién fue Martin Luther King, Jr.?by Bonnie Bader (also available as an e-book)
Martin Luther King Jr.: Una vida de determinaciónby Sheila Rivera
El Día de Martin Luther King Jr. by Mir Tamim Ansary
Martin Luther King Jr.: Marchar por la igualdadby Stephanie Macceca
Natalicio de Martin Luther King Jr. by Connor Dayton (also available as an e-book)
Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.
Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your ideas too, so leave a comment and tell us what you’d recommend. And check out our Staff Picks browse tool for more recommendations!