18 Civil Rights Picture Books for Kids

Uses these kids books about the civil rights movement to start a conversation with your kids about important events and the people who fought for equality.

These picture books about the civil rights movement give one so much to think about. One of my favorite characteristics of the books on this list is that most of them emphasize the role children played in the civil rights movement, which will inspire them to use their own strengths to make a positive change in the world.

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MORE: Big list of children's books about African-American history

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I Have a Dream, speech Speech by Martin Luther King, Jr, illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Nelson's gorgeous illustrations accompany an excerpt from Dr. King's most famous speech. The paintings cover a broad range of images–from close ups of clasped hands, to views of the national landscape, to the crowd at the Washington Monument. The hardcover book includes a CD of the official recording and the entire speech is included at the end of the book.

MORE: List of Martin Luther King, Jr. books for kids

Ruth and the Green Book by Calvin Alexander Ramsey and Gwen Strauss, illustrated by Floyd Cooper. From 1936-1964, “The Green Book” was a travel guide for African-Americans that included a listing of service stations that would serve them.  Ruth and her family are en route from Chicago to Alabama to visit grandma. Ruth learns about Jim Crow laws for the first time and makes it her job to help navigate with the help of The Green Book. (A good chapter book to read in conjunction with Ruth and the Green Book is the superb, The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963.)

The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by E.B. Lewis. The more I read this book, the more I love it. A fence, both metaphorical and physical, defines the boundary between Annie’s white family and Clover’s African-American one. Clover’s mom has told her not to cross the fence because it is unsafe. Instead, Clover sits on the fence, watching the other girl play. Annie eventually approaches Clover and the two sides begin talking, a friendship is formed and the fence, finally crossed. The final image of a line of girls sitting on the fence points to the possibilities of the future.

Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles, illustrated by Jerome Lagarrigue. Joe and John Henry are great friends. But, because Joe is white and John Henry is Black they can't swim in the public pool together. This is Mississippi in 1964, after all. Instead, they spend their summer swimming in the creek. When the Civil Rights Act is finally passed, the boys look forward to finally going to the pool, only to find it filled with concrete. White leaders would rather forgo swimming that desegregate recreation areas. There's hope, too, though, as the boys head to buy their ice pops at the newly integrated general store.

Fighting with Love: the Legacy of John Lewis by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by James E. Ransome. Kids will learn about civil rights activist, John Lewis, and his "good trouble." The boldly illustrated book takes a look at Lewis' childhood, recalling his observations about growing up in segregated Georgia, his desire for education, and the love of his family. His determination not to back down during the most difficult times of the struggle and his insistence on peaceful demonstrations will inspire kids to follow in his footsteps.

Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight for Desegregation by Duncan Tonatiuh. This book tells the story of school desegregation 10 years before Brown v. the Board of Education. In 1944, Sylvia's family moved to a new community. When she tried to attend school, she was told that she would have to go to "the Mexican school". Sylvia and her family fight back and eventually win a very important court battle, setting the stage for future desegregation cases. This is a great book to teach our kids that segregation extended beyond the Jim Crow laws of the South.

Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Jerome Lagarrigue Lagarrigue. In 1960 four black college students sat down at the Woolworth's lunch counter, labelled "WHITES ONLY." The story is told from young Connie's perspective. She sips her soda while standing but her siblings become active in the lunch counter boycott and she helps them make signs. I like that the author still included Connie's youthful desire to just have a banana split, which she finally gets to do -- while sitting.

MORE: Children's books about protest and civil disobedience

The Teachers March!: How Selma's Teachers Changed History by Sandra Neil Wallace and Rich Wallace, illustrated by Charly Palmer. This is a fascinating look at a lesser-known event during the Civil Rights movement. Using extensive research, the authors tell the story of Reverend F.D. Reese, who organized his fellow educators to march for voting rights in 1965.

MORE: Picture book biographies of lesser-known Black heroes

Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney. This is the story of the 1960 Greensboro lunch counter sit in.  I quite enjoyed the food metaphors. “At first they were treated like the hole in the doughnut—invisible.” “The kids had a recipe, too. A new brew called integration.” I love Pinkney's splendidly expressive illustrations, with their swirly lines and colors.

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This Is the Dream by Diane Z Shore, and Jessica Alexander, illustrated by James Ransome. This Is the Dream tells a story of change in three parts. First we learn about the rules of segregation at drinking fountains, on busses, in restaurants and public spaces. "These are the buses–a dime buys a ride, but the people are sorted by color inside." The second third then moves on to the events, large and small, that began the civil rights movement. Finally, the last few pages re-look at the places in the first part of the book–now open and available to all. James Ransome's striking illustrations and Shore and Alexander's concise, rhyming text make this a great read aloud.

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Bryan Collier.  This is a good beginner's guide to MLK. It's informative but not overly long as some picture book biographies can be. It gives a solid introduction to MLK's life and work and is beautifully illustrated.

Boycott Blues: How Rosa Parks Inspired a Nation by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney. This book tells the story of how the African-American community walked for 382 days rather than ride the segregated busses in Montgomery, Alabama. The rhythmic text and vibrant illustrations, which themselves appear to move, beautifully capture the spirit of the amazing individuals who brought change to their community and the nation.

He's Got the Whole World in His Hands by Kadir Nelson. I'm throwing this feel-good choice in for good measure. This is not specifically a civil rights book but a wonderful we-are-all-one type of picture book. The classic Sunday School song is brilliantly illustrated by Kadir Nelson and will get you singing in no time.

MORE: Picture books to teach peace

The blog, Teach with Picture Books has a terrific post about civil rights books that includes ideas for questions to ask your kids (or lesson plan ideas for teachers). Some of the books above are included in her post in addition to a few others.

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