DR. KING GOES TO INDIA!

Reese chronicles a little-known trip that Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King took to India in this children’s picture book.

In 1959, the Kings traveled from Montgomery, Alabama, to India. Martin had long been inspired by the teachings of Gandhi and the nonviolent movement he led: “Gandhi’s teachings took root in Martin’s heart, blooming strong and bright like royal sunflowers!” For more than a month, the Kings traveled through India, hoping to learn more as they toured the land where Gandhi had made such a difference; they did not expect to be greeted with cheers and treated like celebrities. Prime Minister Nehru thanked them for their freedom fighting, and college students gathered to learn about their activism. Reese’s poetic text guides readers through the wonders of the journey. The digital illustrations are based on photographs, stylizing the images to soften the edges and give them a somewhat abstract feel. The result makes the journey seem almost fantastical, a moment of magical connection. While many of the original photographs are in black and white, Reese’s design work floods the pages with colors and patterns, always complementing the text without overpowering it. Quotes from Gandhi’s teachings are peppered throughout. This historic moment of joy and celebration offers an uplifting look at two nations striving for a better future.

A beautifully designed, poetic historical picture book.