What was it like growing up as a son of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? This picture book memoir, My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Martin Luther King III, provides insight into one of history’s most fascinating families and into a special bond between father and son.
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
Martin Luther King III was one of those four little children mentioned in Martin Luther King’s groundbreaking “I Have a Dream” speech. In this memoir, Martin Luther King Jr.’s son gives an intimate look at the man and the father behind the civil rights leader. Mr. King’s remembrances show both his warm, loving family and a momentous time in American history.
AG Ford is the illustrator of several other books for children, including the New York Times bestselling Barack. He is the recipient of an NAACP Image Award.
My sister Yolanda, who we called Yoki, and I wanted to go to Funtown more than anything. "Well, kids, you know Daddy is working very hard so that you and all children can go to Funtown, but it's not possible today," Daddy would say. "Maybe next week." But that week never came.
"You just don't want to take us!" Yoki wailed. And finally my mother explained. We were not allowed in Funtown. The rides and the roller coasters were for white people only. That's how it was when I was growing up. My dad fought to change that.
It wasn't always easy being the young son of the famed civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Lots of people didn't agree with Dr. King and Martin Luther King III, who was called Marty as a child. Marty faced bullies who picked on him because of his name and skin color. But Marty knew his father wanted to make the world a better place for everyone. And he was also a part of the changing times.
In this poignant picture book memoir, Martin Luther King III and New York Times bestselling artist AG Ford capture the ordinary and extraordinary moments from Martin's brief childhood with his father, the revered civil rights hero.
