Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Martin Luther King in Picture Books


Cover art for WE MARCH
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 17, 2012
by Shane W. Evans, illustrated by Shane W. Evans

"Share with readers of all ages as a beautiful message about peaceful protest and purposeful action. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-8)"
An African-American family awakens before dawn to prepare for the historic March on Washington in August, 1963. Read full book review >
Cover art for MY UNCLE MARTIN'S WORDS FOR AMERICA
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2011

"Though picture books about Dr. King by his family members and others abound, this stands out for its graceful, age-appropriate treatment of the Movement. (glossary, bibliography, books for young readers, index) (Picture book/biography. 5-9)"
Following My Uncle Martin's Big Heart (2010), this effort focuses more on King's work to end segregation than his life as a family man. Read full book review >
Cover art for CLIMBING LINCOLN'S STEPS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2010
by Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Colin Bootman

"Thumbnail biographies of other changemakers and a timeline follow the text. (Informational picture book. 5-8)"
When work was begun on the Lincoln Memorial in 1914, no one could have imagined the history that would later unfold at the site. Read full book review >
Cover art for MY UNCLE MARTIN'S BIG HEART
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2010

"This unusual perspective and the dramatic art make this a worthwhile addition to the ever-growing MLK collection. (Informational picture book. 4-7)"
Martin Luther King's niece offers a child's-eye tribute to her famous uncle, whom she remembers as warm and loving, a man with a loud voice who enjoyed a good laugh. Read full book review >
Cover art for MARCH ON!
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2008
by Christine King Farris, illustrated by London Ladd

"This is an essential addition to family, church, school and public-library collections. (Informational picture book. 7-12)"
Farris, the sister of Martin Luther King Jr., offers her own singular perspective on the historic March on Washington and her brother's memorable "I Have a Dream" speech. Read full book review >
Cover art for MY BROTHER MARTIN
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 1, 2003

"A very welcome addition to the King story. (illustrator note) (Picture book/biography. 6-10)"
In the years since his death, too many biographers of Martin Luther King Jr. have made him so much larger than life that to the current generation of children he has become more of an idealized heroic icon than a real person. Read full book review >