‘Liberty’s Civil Rights Road Trip’ introduces children to significant people, places and events from the civil rights movement

A portion of the publisher’s sales proceeds will be donated to Foot Soldiers Park in Selma, Alabama

by Flyaway Books | Special to Presbyterian News Service

Published by Flyaway Books, “Liberty’s Civil Rights Road Trip” goes on sale Oct. 12.

LOUISVILLE — Flyaway Books will release “Liberty’s Civil Rights Road Trip” by award-winning author Michael W. Waters and acclaimed illustrator Nicole Tadgell on October 12.

The book tells the story of a young Black girl named Liberty and her friend Abdullah, who visit significant places from the civil rights movement in Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama. Inspired by a real-life trip led by the author, “Liberty’s Civil Rights Road Trip” is told from the view of a child and serves as an early introduction to the places, people and events that transformed history. Featured people and places include Medgar Evers, Emmett Till, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Lorraine Motel, the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, Kelly Ingram Park, Dexter Avenue Baptist Church Parsonage and the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Ideal for ages 3-7, the back of the book includes an author’s note and more information about the people and places highlighted on Liberty’s trip. The final book will be available in a jacketed hardback format. The retail price is $18, and a portion of the publisher’s sales proceeds will be donated to Foot Soldiers Park in Selma, Alabama, a nonprofit dedicated to honoring the history and continued relevance of the Selma movement.

“We’re delighted to once again work with Michael Waters on another important book that will help our children better understand the racial inequities in our country’s past and present, and the sacrifices that many have made to build a better future,” said David Dobson, President and Publisher of Flyaway Books. “We’re glad to be able to share some of the proceeds of the book to help build Foot Soldiers Park in Selma, one of the most important places in the history of the civil rights movement.”

“As I share with all of the visitors I host in Selma, young and old, I believe that movements for social change are like jigsaw puzzles. Everyone is a unique and special piece. If your piece is missing, the picture is not complete. Why? Because you’re the most important piece,” said JoAnne Bland, Foot Soldiers Park founder. “Michael Waters brings this idea to life in his new book, that we all have the power to make great change in our communities, each in our own special ways.”

“Liberty’s Civil Rights Road Trip” will be available for purchase this October wherever books are sold.

 About Flyaway Books

Flyaway Books is a picture book program dedicated to themes of diversity, inclusivity, compassion and kindness. For more information, visit www.flyawaybooks.com.

 About Michael W. Waters

Michael W. Waters is an award-winning author, activist, professor and pastor. His picture book, “For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World,” illustrated by Keisha Morris, won the 2020 Goddard Riverside CBC Youth Book Prize for Social Justice and was named a Must-Read Book about Race by Essence. A sought-after speaker, he is a frequent commentator for major media outlets and has been honored for his work in peace and justice. Waters lives in Dallas. For more information, visit www.michaelwwaters.com.

 About Nicole Tadgell

Nicole Tadgell is the acclaimed illustrator of more than 30 picture books, a speaker and workshop leader, and an advocate for diversity in children’s literature. Her many honors include the Children’s Africana Book Award, the Américas Award, and numerous best-books lists. She lives in Virginia. For more information, visit www.nicoletadgell.art.

 About Foot Soldiers Park

Foot Soldiers Park is dedicated to preserving and memorializing the civil rights history of Selma, Alabama, bringing economic and cultural revitalization to the city, and preparing the next generation of activists to lead the fight against racial injustice and voter suppression. Its goal is to create a place of joy, creativity and inspiration rooted in the history and continued relevance of the Selma movement. For more information, visit www.footsoldierspark.org.