Nelson Mandela
Stellar art portrays key aspects of Mandela's life for kids.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Nelson Mandela is a kid-friendly biographical picture book that hits the turning points of the former South African president's life, from barefoot village kid to activist lawyer and anti-apartheid activist to prisoner for 27 long years, eventual freedom, and amazing rise to the presidency. Award-winning author-illustrator Nelson Kadir brings the same kind of dynamism and narrative power to his stunning oil paintings that he brought to I Have a Dream and Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans. Simple text combined with evocative paintings -- many with close-up views of emotive faces -- help kids see the how one individual was driven, against all odds, to bring justice, equality, and peace to his country.
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What's the Story?
NELSON MANDELA traces the life of the former South African president from his poor village childhood through his education, struggle for racial equality under apartheid rule, his 27-year imprisonment, and eventual freedom and presidency of the country.
Is It Any Good?
Dynamic art and simple text combine to convey the heroic nature of Mandela's life in ways even a young kid can understand. Author-illustrator Nelson Kadir's beautifully rendered moments in the great leader's life underscore the power of an individual to change the world, starting with the place where he lives, despite great odds and many years without success. An inspirational book about one of the world's most inspirational leaders.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what apartheid meant in South Africa. How was it different from or similar to segregation in the pre-Civil Rights United States?
Does Nelson Kadir's painting of a whites-only beach look like any historical photos of the American South that you've seen?
What other heroes of social justice have you read books or seen movies about?
Book Details
- Author: Kadir Nelson
- Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
- Genre: Biography
- Topics: Activism, Great Boy Role Models, History
- Book type: Non-Fiction
- Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
- Publication date: January 2, 2013
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 9
- Number of pages: 40
- Available on: Hardback
- Award: ALA Best and Notable Books
- Last updated: June 17, 2019
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