Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day by reading these books with your kids! Check out GVanGorder ‘s book reviews and recommended family activities.
I Am Brave: A Little Book about Martin Luther King, Jr. by Brad Meltzer
This colorful and fun children’s nonfiction adaptation of the New York Times bestselling “Ordinary People Change the World” biography tells the story of Martin Luther King, Jr. It is part of Brad Meltzer’s “I Am…” series, which consists of many fun illustrated books that are designed to teach children about heroes in history! The book focuses not only on the story of MLK but also on the traits in him that allowed him to do all of the great things he did.
It’s great for kids because they might be able to recognize some of those traits in themselves! The book is sold as a board book which is excellent for younger readers, and it explores a serious topic in history in a fun and lighthearted way. The book is written entirely in rhyme and includes some bonus fun facts about MLK on every page, making it a fun informational read without it being too long or difficult for young kids to process. A very topical book with many of fun elements that I think would be awesome! All of the reviews I’ve read recommended this book for children ages 3-5.
A fun activity that families could do after reading this book is to develop facts about themselves and tell their own story, autobiography style. This could also be a fun opportunity to talk about family history!
Liberty Legends Alphabet Book by Beck Feiner
This addition to Beck Feniers alphabet series includes liberty legends like the Dalai Lama, Harvey Milk, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Martin Luther King, Jr. The book tells the story of heroes who fought for our rights and freedoms and changes our world for the better.
It is filled with unique and colorful illustrations and is laid out like an alphabet book, with both uppercase and lowercase letters, making it ideal for children who are working on their alphabet skills. It’s a great balance of learning and fun.
Written with the intent of inspiring young readers to grow up and make a difference, this book is the perfect read to celebrate MLK day. According to the publisher, the book is great for introducing the alphabet in some way, but the actual reading is more suited for children 6-12 years old.
A fun activity that a family could do together is to come up with names of people that fit with each letter of the alphabet, making a book of “legends” from their personal life.
The Day you Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
Written by the National Award winner, Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by the two-time Pura Belpre Illustrator Award winner, Rafael Lopez, this story is really beautiful and moving. This book is a heartwarming story of a young girl and encourages kids to connect even when they may feel scared and alone. It talks about celebrating our differences, whether it be looking different, talking different, eating different, or all of the other things that make you stand out, this book teaches kids to connect despite these differences.
The book is lyrical and the illustrations are expertly drawn and beautiful. This book talks about celebrating our differences, which is exactly what Martin Luther King Jr. fought for. It’s an awesome book to help kids to realize their differences and to celebrate them. It’s gentle, optimistic storyline makes it an important read but not an overly heavy or difficult one. It is best for children between the ages of 5-8.
A fun activity for this book would be to talk about what makes every member of the child’s family special and different.