Loving picture books as I do, and often finding picture book biographies more compelling than longer 'grown-up' books, I was eager to read this picture book abridgment of Mandela's autobiography 'Long Walk to Freedom' Alas, I was not as interested in it, or moved by it, as I had hoped to be. I admit that, while I've always held an admiration for Nelson Mandela and what he accomplished, it wasn't until I watched 'Invictus' that I began to become more curious about the man himself. Recommended to any picture-book reader who enjoys biography, or is interested in Nelson Mandela. All in all, a most welcome addition to the field of biography for the younger child. Paddy Bouma's evocative color illustrations ably accompany the text. A timeline and glossary are included at the rear. The book concludes with the story of Mandela's release, and his election as South Africa's first black president.Ĭreated in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, this lovely picture-book gives an excellent overview of Mandela's life, covering all the bases. The infamous Sharpeville Massacre, Mandela's trial for plotting the 'overthrow the government,' and his subsequent twenty-seven years in prison, are all briefly covered. Beginning with his birth in the small Thembu village of Mvezo in 1918, Chris van Wyk's adaptation traces Mandela's story through his school years, his early career as a lawyer, and his role in the African National Congress.

Based upon Nelson Mandela's autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, this picture-book presents the story of the long-time activist who fought against the injustices of South Africa's apartheid regime to younger readers.

Long walk to freedom author