The story describes a day in the life of an African herd boy from the Transkei region of South Africa. He watches over his flock all day, watches out for birds of prey and helps to save the life of a lamb attacked by baboons. On the way home a big shiny car passes the boy and his flock and the person inside winds down the window. It is Nelson Mandela. When he asks the boy what his dream is, the boy replies...to be President. And the book ends with the boy's big dream of a future very far from the sheep and the village. Nelson Mandela came from the Transkei region and was also a herd boy during his childhood. With an endnote about the link with Nelson Mandela and a glossary of African words.

 

There are 40 pages in this book. This is a picture book. A picture book uses pictures and text to tell the story. The number of words varies from zero ('wordless') to around 1k over 32 pages. Picture books are typically aimed at young readers (age 3-6) but can also be aimed at older children (7+). This book was published 2014 by Frances Lincoln Publishers Ltd .

Niki Daly grew up in Cape Town and later returned there with his wife and sons after living in London for ten years.