Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King by Coretta Scott King

Coretta herself tells the story of her life with Martin Luther King, Jr., in this beautifully illustrated picture book biography.

Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King by Coretta Scott King and illustrated by Ekua Holmes. Godwin Books, 2024. 40 pages.

• Reading Level: Picture books, ages 6-10
• Recommended For: Ages 6 and up

Coretta’s husband, Martin Luther King, Jr., is well-known enough that we have a day in our calendar honoring him. But Coretta is the reason we have that day. Those of us in the children’s literature world know that one of the big ALA Awards is known by her name as well; the Coretta Scot King Award “encourages the artistic expression of the African American experience via literature and the graphic arts, including biographical, historical, and social history treatments.”

This picture book is Coretta’s story, told in her own words. As such, the events are personal and ring with her thoughts, emotions, and more. The text mentions the Kings’ faith, but far more emphasis is put on Love, not their faith in Christ. This includes mention at the end of justice and equity for all peoples, equating sexual and gender preference with ethnic issues.

The text appears to be excerpted from a longer work. As such, it reads like a condensed, watered-down version of a book for adult readers. It doesn’t “sing.” Holmes’s art, however, does sing. It always does! Her illustrations make the book. Thus, the book works well as a an introduction to Coretta Scott King. After all, part of the benefit of a picture book biography is, well, the pictures! I’m not the only one who thinks the illustrations are excellent; Holmes was awarded an honor for the Coretta Scot King illustrator category at the 2025 American Library Association’s Youth Media Awards.

Bottom Line: A suitable introduction to Coretta Scott King and a good choice for a school or public library collection. Most families will not feel the need to have this one in their home libraries.

Recommended Reading at Redeemed Reader

• Book Reviews: Picture Books by Celebrities
• Resource: Picture Book Biographies for Black History Month
• Book Reviews: A Coretta Scott King Award Roundup!

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