15 Picture Books That Help Keep Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream Alive
by Charnaie Gordon
The life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is observed on the third Monday in January throughout most of the United States. I usually like to take the day off of work to reflect on Dr. King’s message in some sort of meaningful way. I take a break from my day-to-day obligations to think about the future I want for my children and the dreams I have for them as a parent.
Even if you don’t formally celebrate or commemorate Dr. King, the holiday is a great opportunity to talk to children about important values he emphasized like peace and racial and cultural equality. It’s also a good time to talk about simple ways that kids can help keep his dreams and wisdom alive. To support these conversations, I like to read books with my children that teach them about the civil rights movement and how Dr. King helped to fight for equality.
Since my kids were born, I’ve been reading Kadir Nelson’s book I Have a Dream with them. The book contains snippets from the famous “I Have a Dream” speech as well as the speech in its entirety in the back of the book. There is also an accompanying CD to go along with it.
Reading this book makes me think about my own dreams for my children. My goals and dreams for my children are simple: I want them to be happy, smart, loving, caring, successful, to be treated fairly, and to be respectful citizens of the world. Ultimately, I want my children to remember how fortunate we are not only to have dreams but to have the opportunity and chance to make our dreams come true — just like Dr. King did.
Below are 21 more picture books that help keep Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream alive.
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My Little Golden Book About Martin Luther King Jr.
Buy from:This Little Golden Book biography of Martin Luther King, Jr. tells his story in a way that's digestible for the littlest of readers. Preschoolers will learn all about his life — from growing up in segregated Atlanta to his impact on the civil rights movement.
(Ages 2 - 5)Buy from: -
A Flea for Justice
Buy from:As a child, Marian fought against injustices she noticed. As she grew older, she studied law and created a fund to help children in need. She also became a “flea” or a pest whenever she noticed racial injustices crop up. This inspiring book shows children that even small actions can make a big difference.
(Ages 6 - 9)Buy from: -
The Dream Builder’s Blueprint
Buy from:This gorgeous and uplifting book introduces Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech to a new generation. Through kid-friendly poetry adapted from the speech, children will learn to make the world better by striving for excellence, peace, and purpose.
(Ages 7 - 10)(On sale: 1/6/2026)
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My Dream of Martin Luther King
Buy from:This story is told from an imaginative and creative child’s perspective through a dream. It discusses the history of Martin Luther King Jr. along with the civil rights movement.
(Ages 6 – 9)Buy from: -
Writing Toward Justice
Buy from:At age 13, Alice Dunnigan got a job working for a Black newspaper. Over the years, she used her writing skills to lobby for civil rights for Black Americans and even met the president of the United States. This inspiring picture book shows kids that they can use their voices (and their pens) to create change.
(Ages 7 - 10)Buy from: -
I Am Martin Luther King, Jr.
Buy from:This picture book biography shows Martin Luther King Jr. taking notice of injustice during his childhood, further proving that you’re never too young to start a life of activism. Pair it with I am Brave, another MLK-focused title from the Ordinary People Change the World series.
(Ages 4 – 8)Buy from: -
Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer: The Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement
Buy from:I adore this powerful biography of Fannie Lou Hamer, an activist and singer. I think it’s the perfect read for Martin Luther King Day as it gives a good overview of Fannie’s life from her early days as a sharecropper to the many contributions she made to the civil rights movement.
(Ages 8 – 12)Buy from: -
All Are Welcome
Buy from:The heartening environment pictured in All Are Welcome — a diverse and inclusive school community, where everyone’s traditions are not just tolerated but celebrated — is what Dr. King fought for. Every child deserves a school like this one.
(Ages 4 – 8)Buy from: -
Lillian’s Right to Vote
Buy from:It's Voting Day and Lillian is determined to vote. As she climbs up a steep hill to the voting booth she reflects on the history of her ancestors who were denied the right to vote. This book is intended as a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
(Ages 5 – 9)Buy from: -
Sharing the Dream
Buy from:Sharing the Dream takes readers to the March on Washington, as seen through a child’s eyes. Agnes, sitting on her father’s shoulders, is in awe of the thousands of people of every color standing up for equal rights. She is inspired by the words of the speakers, especially Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream that all children will one day be equal. A beautiful story for Black History Month, and every day of the year!
(Ages 3 – 7)Buy from: -
Granddaddy's Turn: A Journey to the Ballot Box
Buy from:Little Michael couldn’t be more proud — he’s about to accompany his grandfather to Town Hall to witness him voting for the first time in his life. A powerful picture book to introduce children to the civil rights movement and the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
(Ages 6 – 9)Buy from: -
Child of the Civil Rights Movement
Buy from:A niece of Dr. King’s, Paula Young Shelton wasn’t yet a year old when her parents moved the family from New York City back to the South in order to be on the front lines of the civil rights movement. Paula narrates this moment in history from the perspective of her 4-year-old self, making the story uniquely accessible for young readers.
(Ages 4 – 8)Buy from: -
She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World
Buy from:She Persisted features 13 amazing women from history — people like Harriet Tubman and Ruby Bridges — who decided to persist and refused to take no for an answer. The book opens with these lines: "Sometimes being a girl isn't easy. At some point, someone probably will tell you no, will tell you to be quiet and may even tell you your dreams are impossible. Don't listen to them."
(Ages 4 – 8)Buy from: -
That Is My Dream!
Buy from:In stunning watercolors, Daniel Miyares illustrates his vision of Langston Hughes’s renowned poem, “Dream Variation.” As a young boy navigates life dominated by segregation and discrimination, he dreams of a brighter tomorrow.
(All Ages)Buy from: -
Counting on Community
Buy from:Nagara’s follow-up to A is for Activist deserves a shout out in its own right for its celebration of community in all its forms, and its empowering message to young readers — they, too, can contribute to their communities, from their neighborhood to the planet itself.
(Ages 3 – 7)Buy from:
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2018 and updated in 2026.