We have all heard stories about Martin Luther King Jr. and his fight for equality, but Martin Luther King III gives us a glimpse into the lessons his father taught him. As Martin Luther King Jr. works to change the racial injustices in the world, his children are admiring his work. They see the hardships their father is facing in order to make their lives and the lives of all African Americans better. This book gives young readers the message to stand up for what they believe in. ( )

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The book My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is a book written by Martin Luther King III about his dad. I loved reading this book about Dr. King as a father and not the civil rights leader. Martin wrote about how he and his siblings wanted to enjoy doing things like other kids but were not allowed because of their race and their dad was like any other dad, he played ball with them and joked around. Martin didn't like his name because it was the same as his dad's name and he was afraid of all the things that were going on. At the end of the story Martin said he is proud to share his dad's name. ( )

A story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. the “dad” not the man. Told from the views of his son, Martin Luther King III. He explains the relationship Dr. King had with him and his siblings. How the family addressed Jim Crow and Dr. Kings stand. Martin Luther King III addressed his fear of others knowing his name, but is now proud of his name as it carries his father’s legacy. ( )

My Daddy, written by Martin Luther King III is a different type of MLK Jr. book. In this picture book we are shown Martin Jr. as a father, not just as an equal rights activist. Martin III shows even thought his father was famous he was a father first. We learn that Martin Jr.’s children didn’t always understand why they were not allowed to do certain things or go certain places. Martin III was even afraid to say his name to other kids because not many people approved the things his father was doing. There were times in his childhood when his father was put in jail for standing up for what is right, “Your dad went to jail to help people.” One Christmas the boys received toy guns as gifts but shortly after the family burned the guns “We believed we were destroying all the hate in the world”. Martin III writes this story in a way that children can understand segregation and how things were when he was a child, The story coming from the point of view of MLK Jr.’s son has much impact to the words on the page. The pictures show how he viewed MLK Jr. as a role model, a protector, and as a father.
I remember reading many stories about MLK Jr., but this one stands out because I have never read a book about him as a man, father, or husband. ( )