Flyaway Books publishes children’s book by acclaimed author Michael W. Waters

‘Liberty’s Civil Rights Road Trip’ is an introduction to key people, places and events from the civil rights movement

by Flyaway Books | Special to Presbyterian News Service

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

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 some of the places, people, and events that transformed history during the civil rights movement. Featured people and places include Medgar Evers, Emmett Till, the Rev. 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 book includes an author’s note and additional information about the people and places highlighted during the road trip. “Liberty’s Civil Rights Road Trip” is available in a jacketed hardback format and the retail price is $18. 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.

“This introduction to historic individuals and monumental locations is both inspiring and a useful teaching tool, and will see wide use in most collections,” said School Library Journal about the book.

A book trailer about the picture book is available for viewing here. Order your copy of “Liberty’s Civil Rights Road Trip” today from your preferred bookstore.

 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 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, 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. The organization’s 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, go here.