NELSON MANDELA by Nelson Kadir

Review by Christi De Leon

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Nelson, Kadir. Nelson Mandela. New York, HarperCollins, 2013. ISBN 0061783749

PLOT SUMMARY

This picture book biography tells about a global icon, Nelson Mandela. When he was a young boy, he was sent away to go to school and saw Africans who were in need of help. He became eager to change South Africa and protect the people. The government began separating people by the color of their skin, and Mandela spoke out for equality for everyone. Despite the struggles along the way, he did his part in making his country a place of freedom and equality.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

At first glance, readers immediately know that Nelson Mandela was a strong man. The front of the book is completely covered by a portrait of Nelson Mandela, bold and intelligent. The title is found on the back of the book. Each stage of Mandela’s life is told in a way that is brief and understandable. All accurately depicted, key events include his tribal childhood, experience as a young lawyer, leadership in the fight for freedom, time in prison, and appointment as first Black president of South Africa. The last lines of the story say it all as a celebration of Mandela’s life, “The ancestors, The people, The world, Celebrated. Amandla! Ngawethu!” This book is a great way to introduce Nelson Mandela and share all that he did to help make the world a better place for all.

Kadir Nelson’s impressive illustrations combined with the well-written story will grasp the reader’s attention. Although the artwork consists of paintings, it has a realistic look. The images are big and powerful, complementing Mandela’s achievements. The two beach scenes convey the changes brought to South Africa. In the first beach scene, there are only Europeans at the beach due to apartheid. In the final beach scene, everyone is at the beach together. Towards the end of the story, Nelson speaks “to a colorful sea of people” in which the illustrations are a true reflection. At the end of the book, readers will find more biographical information written by the author and a page designated for the bibliography.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Coretta Scott King Honor Book

From Publishers Weekly: “An extremely powerful picture-book biography of South Africa’s first black president. It’s a solid biography in its own right, but thanks to Nelson’s characteristically stunning paintings, it soars.” 

From School Library Journal: “This picture-book biography matches Mandela’s outsize achievements with large, powerful images, resulting in a presentation that will seize and hold readers’ attention.”

CONNECTIONS

Gather other Kadir Nelson books to read such as:

Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans. ISBN 0061730793

We Are The Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball. ISBN 0786808322

Gather other Coretta Scott King Honor Books to read such as:

Levine, Ellen. Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad. Ill. by Nadir Nelson. ISBN 043977733X

Possible activities:

Read additional books and explore online resources about Nelson Mandela for further learning.

Have a class discussion about apartheid to ensure students' understandings.