Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: Why His Legacy Matters to Our Children—and to Our Mission

We honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a moment not only to reflect on history, but to recommit ourselves to the values Dr. King stood for: justice, equality, service, courage, and love for humanity.

Dr. King believed that children were central to building a better future. He understood that if we want to change the world, we must start by shaping hearts and minds early—through education, compassion, and opportunity.

At Charity’s Readers for Tomorrow, this belief is at the very core of why we exist.

Why Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy Is So Important for Children

Dr. King’s message was never just about protest—it was about possibility. He envisioned a world where children of all backgrounds could grow up seen, valued, and empowered.

For children, learning about Dr. King helps them:

• Understand fairness and justice in age-appropriate ways

• Recognize the power of kindness and peaceful action

• Learn that their voices matter—even when they are young

• See leaders who look like them and leaders who stand up for others

When children are introduced to these lessons early, they don’t just memorize history—they internalize values that shape who they become.

Children’s Books That Help Carry Dr. King’s Message Forward

Books are one of the most powerful ways to teach Dr. King’s legacy in a way children can truly understand. Here are meaningful, classroom- and family-friendly recommendations:

• Books about Martin Luther King Jr.

  Age-appropriate biographies that introduce his life, leadership, and dream in a way that inspires rather than overwhelms young readers.

• Stories About Kindness and Inclusion

  Books that show children treating one another with empathy, standing up for fairness, and learning that differences make communities stronger.

• Books That Reflect Diverse Children and Experiences

  Representation matters. When children see themselves on the page, they feel validated—and when they see others, they learn understanding.

• Stories Focused on Service and Helping Others

  Dr. King emphasized service to others. Books that model generosity, compassion, and community involvement help children live out those values.

At Purple Diamond Press, many of our titles are intentionally created to align with these themes—because stories can be both joyful and transformative.

Why Dr. King’s Vision Is Central to Our Nonprofit Mission

Charity’s Readers for Tomorrow was created to remove barriers to access—to ensure children, especially those in underserved communities, have books that reflect them, affirm them, and inspire them.

Dr. King once said:

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?”

Our answer is simple and unwavering:

• We donate books to schools and communities that need them most

• We promote literacy as a pathway to confidence and opportunity

• We uplift stories that center kindness, inclusion, and humanity

• We believe every child deserves to feel seen, heard, and valued

Dr. King’s dream lives on every time a child opens a book and realizes:

I matter. I belong. I can make a difference.

How You Can Honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day With Us

This MLK Day, we invite our community to take action:

• Read a book about Dr. King with a child

• Donate a children’s book or support a literacy nonprofit

• Talk with children about kindness, fairness, and helping others

• Share stories that celebrate diversity and unity

Legacy is not preserved through words alone—it is sustained through action. At Charity’s Readers for Tomorrow, we are committed to carrying Dr. King’s vision forward, one child, one book, and one act of kindness at a time.

Because when children are given stories that uplift them, they grow into adults who change the world.