Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela is the 2013 biographical children’s picture-book written by American author and illustrator Kadir Nelson. Beginning with a large cover portrait, the book is a celebration of global icon Nelson Mandela’s life for readers between the ages of four and eight. Starting with Mandela’s childhood, the book follows the boy’s willingness to change the future of his native country, and the struggles he faces as a man who would go on to become president of South Africa. Told in free-verse accompanied by rich illustrations, Nelson Mandela cements the legacy of a world leader who promoted peace and equality for all, despite the color of their skin. Nelson Mandela received the 2014 Coretta Scott King Honor Award. In addition, the book has been called “an extremely powerful picture-book biography” by Publishers Weekly, and “beautifully designed” by Kirkus Reviews.

Narrated in the third-person omniscient perspective, the picture-book begins with Nelson Mandela’s childhood of fighting boys with sticks and shooting birds with slingshots. When Nelson is 13 year old, four years after his father died, his mother sends him to live with a tribal chief many miles away. The chief, who presides over warriors, medicine men, laborers, and farmers, begins telling stories about the history of old Africa. The chief describes the various tribes inhabiting South Africa, which include the Thombu, Pondo, Xhosa and Zulu. The land was “bountiful, fertile and rich,” allowing villagers to hunt and fish and raise crops. After a time of relative peace, the warriors begin fighting with European settlers who came in search for “land and treasure.” With much stronger weapons, the settlers conquer the Africans. Their native land was taken. “South Africa belonged to Europe.” Nelson feels sorry about this.



As Nelson grows into a young man, he attends the finest schools in the “golden city of Johannesburg.” Nelson becomes a lawyer and begins defending the poor and uneducated African natives that cannot defend themselves. Nelson faces a huge challenge when the government creates a policy of apartheid, giving power to the small population of white people and taking power away from the black majority. Society is split between Africans, Indians, and Europeans. As a result, “European Only” (meaning European whites only) theaters, beaches, and parks are built in Johannesburg. The natives begin to protest. Nelson organizes rallies to oppose apartheid in the attempt to “win back Africa.” Nelson declares that South Africa is for all South Africans and screams out “power to the people!” The natives love Nelson for his efforts. However, speaking out is against the law and Nelson is arrested and held for two weeks. Held with 100 men, they begin to sing, dance, and call out for the ancestors to join the fight for freedom. The ancestors sent their daughter, Winnie, to join Nelson’s cause. Nelson and Winnie fall in love and get married and have children. They stand untied in the fight against apartheid.

The state plans to jail Nelson, forcing him to escape underground. Nelson wears different disguises and lives in the shadows to remain hidden. He stays in his friends’ empty bedrooms and farmhouses while organizing more rallies to oppose apartheid. The police issue a warrant for Nelson’s arrest, but they are unable to find him. After awhile, Nelson crosses the border into free nations where black-skinned African populations (Liberians, Ethiopians, and Moroccans) were free to converse with white Europeans and brown Egyptians. The different groups shook hands and cooperated with each other. Using this relationship as a model, Nelson returns to South Africa determined to rid his homeland of hatred and discrimination. With a newfound vision, Nelson’s attempt to find peace and harmony continue. However, he is captured, arrested, and jailed for his actions. Native protestors take to the street, painting the walls and crying out “Free Mandela, Free Mandela!” Nelson is sent to serve time in a cell on an island off the southern coast of Africa. Nelson remains in a tiny cell as the world passes him by. He is treated poorly, given cold meals, thin blankets, and forced to do hard labor. When he isn’t crushing rocks into dust, Nelson reads and continues to educate himself while in jail.

Years go by. Nelson’s children grow up and many of his relatives pass away. South Africa begins to crumble. Protests, rallies and violence in the streets continue to increase. Desperate for a leader, the African people find a sense of hope when Nelson releases a message promising “I will return.” As the years go by, the world begins pressuring South Africa to change its ways. The new president agrees, and soon the “European Only” signs are taken down in parks, beaches, and theaters across the country. Nelson friends are set free and apartheid is ended. Now an old man, Nelson is released from jail after spending more than 27 years as a prisoner. Thousands of natives surround Nelson as Winnie gives him a hug. Nelson looks to the sky and says “Amandla. Thank You.” Later, Nelson proudly gives a speech to a large multiracial crowd of attendants. “We must forget our terrible past and build a better future for South Africa” Nelson declares. “Let us continue to fight for justice and walk our last mile to freedom.” When millions of South Africans are given the right to vote, Nelson Mandela is elected president of South Africa. South Africa is free at last and finally at peace.



Kadir Nelson is an author and illustrator best known for his paintings showcased on the cover of The New Yorker magazine. He’s also known for illustrating album covers for Michael Jackson and Drake. In addition to illustrating the works of other authors, Nelson has written three books himself, including Nelson Mandela, Baby Bear, and If You Plant a Seed.