Books About Southern Africa · 16 titles considered

The Best Southern Africa Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about southern africa? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

Who Was Nelson Mandela?
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Southern Africa

Sale price
$574
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2013

Who Was Nelson Mandela?

By Pam Pollack, Who HQ, Stephen Marchesi (Illustrator) · Who Was . . . ? series

A biography of Nelson Mandela, from his childhood to his presidency of South Africa, highlighting his fight against apartheid and his efforts to bring about equality and justice to his country.

112 pages· 7,623 words· Est. 1 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 988 ratings
$5.99Save 4%
Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 2009

Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

By Paddy Bouma (Illustrator)

Journey from village boy to a nation's leader against apartheid.

64 pages· 2,937 words· Est. 25 min read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 367 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Picture Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

Railway Jack

By KT Johnston, César Samaniego (Illustrator)

A legless inspector and a baboon must prove their teamwork to skeptical authorities.

40 pages· 1,887 words· Est. 15 min read-aloud
4.5/5 Goodreads · 147 ratings
$18.95Save 5%
Picture Book · Ages 8–11 · 2019

Hector

A boy's tragic death during a protest sparks change in apartheid-era South Africa.

48 pages· 1,127 words· Est. 9 min read-aloud
4.3/5 Goodreads · 224 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2018

Grandad Mandela

Two children discover their great-grandfather's legacy as a freedom fighter and global icon.

40 pages· 1,299 words· Est. 10 min read-aloud
4.1/5 Goodreads · 214 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2009

Elizabeti's Doll

A girl discovers the depth of her love when her cherished doll goes missing.

Ezra Jack Keats Award (1999)
32 pages· 577 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud
4.1/5 Goodreads · 339 ratings
$11.95Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2010

Botswana

Two brothers race to save a wounded lioness from a poacher in the African wild.

160 pages· 27,893 words· Est. 3 hour read
4.0/5 Goodreads · 138 ratings
$14.95Save 6%
Picture Book · Ages 6–8 · 2014

The Soccer Fence

A boy's soccer dreams clash with apartheid's barriers in South Africa.

40 pages· 1,015 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud
3.9/5 Goodreads · 233 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 1996

A Girl Named Disaster

A girl flees an unwanted marriage, embarking on a perilous journey to find her father.

336 pages
3.8/5 Goodreads · 5,282 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Picture Book · Ages 10–13 · 2009

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

A boy builds a windmill to save his village from drought.

304 pages· 90,690 words· Est. 11.5 hour read-aloud
4.5/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 12,278 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
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Southern Africa Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about southern africa for preschool and elementary-age readers.

As Big as the Sky

Ages 4–18 · 2020

Separated siblings find hope in generosity and dreams of reunion.

Nelson Mandela

Ages 4–8 · 2012

A boy's journey to change a nation and fight for equality.

Nelson Mandela

Ages 4–7 · 2018

Discover the journey of a leader who fought apartheid and changed a nation.

Nelson Mandela

Ages 4–8 · 2022

A rebel's journey from prison to presidency in the fight for equality.

Living in . . . South Africa

Ages 5–7 · 2016

Explore South Africa through a child's eyes in this vibrant journey of culture and adventure.

View all southern africa picture books
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Books about apartheidBooks about history

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