Benjamin Bear in Bright Ideas!  

by Philippe Coudray

Philippe Coudray creates very funny stories about a bear in his Toon Book series.  In his most recent book,  "Bright Ideas!,  each page  is a different problem for the clever Benjamin Bear to solve.   Think along with Benjamin and study the pictures to find a solution.  If you like joke books, you'll enjoy this funny romp in the mountains and streams of Benjamin's world.   Next you can read Phillipe Coudray's other Benjamin Bear Book, "Benjamin Bear in Fuzzy Thinking."

Level 2 Toon books are easy-to-read comics for grades 1 and 2.   

Parents, for more information go to http://www.toon-books.com

Nelson Mandela by Nadir Nelson

 Nelson  Mandela is  a very famous South African hero.  He is almost 95 years old.  The author, Kadir Nelson writes a beautiful story of the struggles and triumphs of this one-time president of South Africa.  With soft colorful pictures, Kadir shows Nelson Mandela as a child and later  as a prisoner.  Mandela spent 27 years in jail.  He peacefully fought for justice and equality in his homeland.  Read about the bravery and perseverance of this great man who is now in the hospital nearing the end of his life.  

You can get the book at your local public library.  I hope you will be inspired like I was to stand up for equality and justice for all people.   Your parents can read to you the note at the end of the book that further explains Nelson Mandela's life.

"Nelson Mandela" by Kadir Nelson