Liberty’s Civil Rights Road Trip

Inspired by a civil rights pilgrimage for faith leaders that the author led commemorating the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, this picture book follows the author’s young Black daughter Liberty and her light brown–skinned Muslim best friend Abdullah, both of whom attended the real trip through sites in the U.S. South. From the third-person perspective, Waters focuses on Liberty’s viewpoint and emotions at each stop, in particular, an author’s note clarifies, how she “turned these harrowing spaces into hopeful ones”: “Even though the Lorraine Motel was a serious place, Liberty imagined that Dr. King had liked to laugh, just like her dad.” Tadgell illustrates an interfaith tour group of varying abilities, ages, sizes, and skin tones in soft washes of watercolor; small inserts feature the historical figures mentioned. An accessible, anecdotal introduction to pivotal civil rights events and luminaries. Back matter includes an author’s note and supplementary information. Ages 3–7. (Oct.)