Preaching to the Chickens: The Story of Young John Lewis

"Preaching to the Chickens: The Story of Young John Lewis" offers a heartwarming and illuminating peek into the early life of civil rights icon John Lewis. Published on October 11, 2016, and beautifully complemented by E.B. Lewis's evocative watercolors, this New York Times Best Illustrated Book captures young John's early dreams of becoming a preacher. Even as a child managing his family's chickens, he realizes his natural gift for leadership, preaching to a captivated audience of poultry. Authored by Jabari Asim, this tale not only entertains but inspires with its message of early ingenuity and the power of dreams. It's a perfect introduction for elementary school readers to the themes of racial justice and personal determination. This story sets the stage for John Lewis's later achievements as a Freedom Rider, a leader in the Civil Rights Movement, and a voice against gun violence in the U.S. Capitol. Readers will be encouraged to think about how they, too, can make a difference, starting in their own unique ways.