This is a list of children’s picture books that tell the stories of the people and events of the Civil Rights Movement. While these are picture books, they are stories that all ages can appreciate. Some of my very favorite children’s books are on this list because they tell such inspiring stories of courage and determination. The Civil Rights Movement is such an important topic in American history and these books do an excellent job of introducing young readers to this pivotal era. These picture books on Civil Rights are great for reading aloud and are perfect for a Charlotte Mason approach. I hope you enjoy them as much as my children and I have!
Non-Fiction Children’s Picture Books about Civil Rights
I Have a Dream by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
This is a must read! The text of this picture book is portions of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech given on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington. The excerpts are ones that will resonate with children and are paired with beautiful illustrations. The entire speech is in the back of the book. This book is a great way to introduce young readers to Dr. King’s powerful words.
I am Rosa Parks by Rosa Parks with Jim Haskins
This book is unique because Rosa Parks is telling her story in her own words, which I love. She tells her story in a simple way that is easy to understand and easy for a young reader to read independently. She talks about segregation, refusing to give up her seat on the bus, her subsequent arrest, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and a little bit about her childhood and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.. This is a fantastic children’s book for getting to know Rosa Parks!
Pies from Nowhere: How Georgia Gilmore Sustained the Montgomery Bus Boycott by Dee Romito
If you don’t know Georgia Gilmore’s story, you need to read this book! Georgia Gilmore was a talented cook who helped fund the Montgomery Bus Boycott. She cooked, baked, and delivered food, along with other women who helped her, all in secret. They used the funds from this secret food service to help purchase gas and vehicles that were used to transport people during the boycott. Georgia ended up losing her job when her employer discovered that she was assisting the bus boycott. After that, Dr. King encouraged her to start her own business, which she did. Georgia Gilmore is an inspiring woman and a great example of courageously standing up for what is right, and how one person can really make a difference. This is one of my top picks for picture books about Civil Rights!
I am Ruby Bridges: How One Six-year-old Girl’s March to School Changed the World by Ruby Bridges
Ruby Bridges tells the story of being the first black child to attend the previously all-white school, William Frantz Elementary. She talks about being escorted by federal marshals to school every day and how she was surprised to be the only child at school when she arrived. Ruby tells us about the changes that came as a result of Brown v. Board of Education from the point of view of herself as a child with a celebratory and hopeful tone. The result is an upbeat and cheerful story that is great for young children. One of my top picks for picture books on Civil Rights for preschool (older kids will like it too!).
The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles
This picture book tells Ruby Bridges’ story of being the first black child to attend William Frantz Elementary. The actual events took place in New Orleans after Brown v. Board of Education ruled against segregation in the public schools. This version of the story goes more in depth than the book by Ruby herself (listed above). We get some insight into Ruby’s childhood growing up in poverty with parents who loved her and taught her to have faith. Then the book tells us about Ruby’s experience going to school at Frantz Elementary. We learn about how she walked past an angry crowd every day as she went to school. We learn about how Ruby arrived to an empty classroom because of that angry mob. And most incredibly, we learn how Ruby prayed every single day on her way to school without fail for the people who screamed hate at her.
The book includes quotes from Ruby’s mother, teacher, and Ruby herself, which is nice. This is a moving and poignant telling of Ruby Bridges’ experience. This picture book about Civil Rights is a must-read!
Thurgood by Jonah Winter
Thurgood Marshall is a person every school child (and every adult!) should know about, and this book does a great job of introducing him and all that he did to fight for equality for black people in America. He was a powerful lawyer (and later a Supreme Court justice) and the force behind Brown v. Board of Education, as well as many other important court cases that fought racial injustice. Although there is no overly graphic or explicit content, parents will want to preview for very young or sensitive children because of the upsetting nature of racism and because Thurgood received threats to his life.
A Time to Act – John F. Kennedy’s Big Speech by Shana Corey
Touches on life during the Civil Rights Movement and segregation. Tells a little about the life and legacy of JFK, and his courage in trying to lead the United States to racial equality.
Martin’s Big Words by Doreen Rappaport
Beautiful story about how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. used powerful words of love and hope to fight for justice. Highly recommend!
The United States v. Jackie Robinson by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
The inspiring story of Jackie Robinson and the role he played in the Civil Rights Movement. Highly recommend!
Voice of Freedom, Fannie Lou Hamer: Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement by Carole Boston Weatherford
I can’t recommend this book enough! A true account of the life of Fannie Lou Hamer and her contributions to the Civil Rights Movement. Heartbreaking, moving, hopeful, and inspiring, this is an emotional read. Note: there are some difficult topics mentioned in this book: forced sterilization (p. 12), and the overall injustice and violence that were realities during this time. There is also strong language (p. 21). This is a beautifully written picture book and excellent story of the Civil Rights Movement, but I strongly encourage pre-reading before sharing it with your children. Highly highly recommend!
Child of the Civil Rights Movement by Paula Young Shelton
The author tells the true story of her experience as a child observer and participant in the Civil Rights Movement. Told from a child’s perspective, so it is excellent for children. Features other prominent Civil Rights leaders who she knew and had a relationship with, such as Martin Luther King Jr.. Highly recommend!
The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist by Cynthia Levinson
This story is amazing and fabulous for children! Tells the true story of a nine year-old girl who bravely went to jail to protest segregation. This picture book explains segregation and the Civil Rights Movement in a way that is very accessible to children. This is one of my very favorite picture books about Civil Rights!
Between the Lines by Sandra Neil Wallace
This is the true story of Ernie Barnes who was a football player and artist. It highlights some of obstacles that he faced because of the segregation and discrimination of his time.
We Shall Overcome: The Story of a Song by Debbie Levy
Talks about the history of the Civil Rights Movement and the role of the song “We Shall Overcome” not only in the United States, but in civil rights movements throughout the world. The text is very clear and easy for children to understand. This is a good picture book about Civil Rights for younger children.
Carter Reads the Newspaper by Deborah Hopkinson
The story of Carter G. Woodson, the son of former slaves who was born post Civil War, and who raised himself from poverty, gained an education, and became an advocate for black Americans. He formed the movement that later led to Black History Month. Great read!
Ron’s Big Mission by Rose Blue and Corinne J. Naden
This story is based on a real event from the childhood of astronaut Ron McNair. It tells about how nine year-old Ron courageously stood up to the unfair rule that allowed only white people to check out books from the library. I love this story so much! It is especially accessible for young children, because it is easy for them to see the injustice in forbidding a child to bring library books home because of his skin color.
A Bus of Our Own by Freddi Williams Evans
This is a really great true story. The story takes place just before the Civil Rights era and follows a group of black children who can’t go to school because the weather is too harsh to walk the long distance. The county only provides a bus for the white children, so the black children of the community are stranded. Despite this injustice, and despite their poverty, the community comes together to figure out a way to provide a bus for the children. I really love this one!
Seeds of Freedom: The Peaceful Integration of Huntsville, Alabama by Hester Bass
This is a great book for learning about how civil rights were won. It explains several forms of nonviolent resistance that were used in Huntsville, such as the lunch counter sit-ins and Blue Jean Sunday. I especially appreciate this book because it highlights how change can be made in a very peaceful manner.
Going Places: Victor Hugo Green and His Glorious Book by Tonya Bolden
This story is all about the development of the Green Book, which was a guide to hotels, restaurants, etc. that were friendly to black people during the Jim Crow era, and the reason it was needed. Great read!
Lift as You Climb: The Story of Ella Baker by Patricia Hruby Powell
This story is so inspiring! Ella Baker truly lifted others throughout her life in her work in civil and human rights.
The Teachers March! How Selma’s Teachers Changed History by Sandra Neil Wallace and Rich Wallace
This inspiring true story about the courageous teachers of Selma and how they stood up for social justice in their community. An excellent read!
Because Claudette by Tracey Baptiste
Many people know of Rosa Parks and her bus sit-in, but she wasn’t the first to refuse to give up her seat! Claudette Colvin was only 15 years-old when she refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white woman. The book discusses Claudette’s arrest for this act of peaceful resistance, her subsequent connection to a lawyer named Fred Gray and to Rosa Parks, and her involvement in the youth division of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The book ends triumphantly as the bus boycotts led to the court cases which overturned the unfair bus laws – all with the help of Claudette! This book is brief, easy to read, and very inspiring. It shows the power of one person – even when that one is a child! This is one of my favorite Civil Rights books for kids!
Fighting with Love: The Legacy of John Lewis by Lesa Cline-Ransome
This is a fantastic children’s book about congressman John Lewis. It tells about his participation in the Civil Rights Movement, including many significant historical moments. The book covers John Lewis’s introduction to the fight for equal rights by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his study of and training for nonviolent protest, and his participation in sit-ins and marches. Some of the significant events that the book covers are the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The back of the book gives us more information about the topics introduced in the book, including “Bloody Sunday” and the murder of Emmett Till.
This is probably the most comprehensive story of the Civil Rights Movement on this book list, and the author does a masterful job of weaving all of the information into an interesting and engaging true story about John Lewis. This book is a wonderful choice for young people who are mature enough to handle some of the very brutal aspects of the movement for equal rights and the treatment of black Americans. It is also text heavy, so I would say this book is best for children in late elementary and up. I highly recommend this book for older children.
Coretta Scott by Ntozake Shange
A lovely life story of Coretta Scott King, the wife of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., told in poem form. The poem touches on the topics of segregation, the Montgomery bus boycott, the March on Washington, and Coretta’s marriage to Dr. King. The book is kind of an appetizer, giving you just enough information to make you want to know more. The back matter does expound on some of the topics. A lovely place to start a study on Coretta Scott’s life.
Historical Fiction Picture Books about Civil Rights
Lillian’s Right to Vote: A Celebration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by Jonah Winter and Shane W. Evans
Told through the memories of “Lillian” and her ancestors, this story takes the reader from the time of slavery to 1965, when the right to vote was finally guaranteed for all African Americans. Good read!
Ruth and the Green Book by Calvin Alexander Ramsey
This is a story about an African American family trying to travel to the deep south in the Jim Crow era and the obstacles and dangers that they face. The story gives insight into segregation, discrimination, and the need for the fight for equal rights. Highly recommend!
If a Bus Could Talk: The Story of Rosa Parks by Faith Ringgold
This story takes the reader on an imaginary bus ride during which the bus tells the story of Rosa Parks. The author does a good job of making the story engaging and accessible. This is a great picture book about Civil Rights for younger children.
Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins by Carole Boston Weatherford
This picture book is based on real events from the sit-in movement, but told from a fictional child’s point of view. This story is a gentle but powerful window into segregation and the movement to change it. This is one of my favorite picture books about Civil Rights!
Granddaddy’s Turn: A Journey to the Ballot Box by Michael S. Bandy
Granddaddy gets dressed in his Sunday best and waits patiently in line for his very first chance to vote, only to be denied through an illegal “reading test.” This story brings to life the injustice of such practices, which were common in the south pre-Civil Rights. The author did a great job of helping us feel Granddaddy’s pain when after waiting for so long for a chance to vote, he had to keep waiting after all.
Back of the Bus by Aaron Reynolds
This excellent book tells the story of Rosa Parks defying segregation from the point of view of a child looking on. It’s an easy an enjoyable read and opens the discussion of segregation and themes of the Civil Rights Movement in a natural way for a child.
I hope that you enjoyed this list of high-quality books for kids on the Civil Rights Movement. Feel free to check out more of my history-themed lists of children’s books. Thank you for visiting! Please come back soon!
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