Book: The Children’s Mandela
Author: Special project by Future by Design Publishing
Publishers: Wild Dog Press
Everybody’s favourite president, Nelson Mandela, has always had a special rapport with children. And who better than the children themselves to pay tribute to Madiba on his birthday, July 18 – also now commemorated as Mandela Day.
In The Children’s Mandela (Wild Dog Press), a lavish 245-page coffee-table book, children from all corners of South Africa show how Madiba magic has rubbed off on them.
Forty-thousand of the best submissions of colour drawings and answers to 25 specific questions, from around the country, have been put together as a heart-warming tribute to the most loved president of our times. The responses are straight from the heart but as diverse as our rainbow nation. What they all have in common, however, is love, admiration or downright awe of Mandela.
For example, the question, “What would you do if you saw him on the street,” got responses such as: “I would probably just stare like everyone else with my mouth open and look like I’m catching flies. I would do this because I would be flabbergasted… Would you blame me?” Ashleigh, 12.
Or, “I would turn red, blue and green. Then I would do 40 flick-flacks up and down the road and I might even jump up and down on some cars.” Sarah, 12.
Or, “I would run up to him and ask him for a signature or a bead from his necklace and then faint.” Nicole, 11.
There are countless other charming responses to questions like, “How old do you think he is?” and “If he came to your house for supper what would you make him and why?”
The book also offers insight into children’s understanding of our politicial history and social and economic needs.
The Children’s Mandela is a special project by Future by Design Publishing. It will provide much entertainment for both children and adults alike.