Character picture books: Twenty-One Steps, Bartali’s Bicycle, and Nelson Mandela’s Plan

Three nonfiction picture books offer examples of faithful service, reconciliation, and self-sacrifice.

Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by Jeff Gottesfeld, illustrated by Matt Tavares. Candlewick, 2021, 32 pages.

Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 4-8

Recommended for: ages 6-10

“My dedication to this sacred duty is total and whole-hearted.” Those are the first words of the Sentinel’s Creed, affirmed by a very select number of service men and women who stand guard over the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The soldier “known only to God” was recovered after the battle of Belleau Wood during WWI and buried with full honors at Arlington National Cemetery on November 11, 1921—Armistice Day (now Veterans Day). Since then, unknowns from WWII and Korea were interred as a memorial to all unidentified service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their country. The text, told from the perspective of the original Unknown, may wax a bit flowery at times but is ultimately a moving tribute honoring not the sentinels but those they guard.

Overall Rating: 4.5 (out of 5)

• Worldview/moral value: 4
• Artistic/literary value: 5

A Plan for the People: Nelson Mandela’s Hope for His Nation by Lindsey McDivitt, illustrated by Charly Palmer. Eerdmans, 2021, 46 pages.

Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 4-8

Recommended for: ages 6-12

Nelson Mandela was on his way up in the world. From a poor beginning in rural South Africa, he graduated with honors from the University of Fort Hare and was earning a good living as a lawyer in Johannesburg. Though despised, like all of his race, by the minority white population he was secure in his profession. But he couldn’t sit still while the white government mandated more laws about strict separation between the races. Blacks could not marry, live, worship, or attend school with whites. As the laws became even more restrictive, the African National Congress, which Mandela had joined in Johannesburg, began pushing back. The government pushed back harder, and eventually Mandela was sentenced to life in prison for treason (i.e., agitating against unjust laws).

Much of Nelson Mandela’s story is a sad tale of bigotry and injustice. What set him apart—and what this biography emphasizes—was his efforts toward reconciliation as well as justice. Even in prison, where he was not allowed visits from his family, he reached out to white guards and eventually made friends of some of them. His focus on reconciliation made it possible for President deKlerk to reach out to him in return, and together in the early 90s they brought about a reformed, unified government. Though problems remain in South Africa, Nelson Mandela’s example should be an inspiration for racially-conflicted societies everywhere. An extensive appendix includes sources, timeline, and author/illustrator notes.

Overall Rating: 4

• Worldview/moral value: 4
• Artistic/literary value: 4

Bartali’s Bicycle: The True Story of Gino Bartali, Italy’s Secret Hero by Megan Hoyt, illustrated by Iacopo Bruno. Quill Tree (HarperCollins), 2021, 34 pages.

Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 4-8

Recommended for: ages 5-8

Everyone in Italy (and throughout the cycling world) knew of Gino Bartali—Italy’s spectacular cyclist and winner of the Tour de France. In 1938 he stood on the threshold of a brilliant career, but then goose-stepping Germans strode into his country. Their mission was troubling, to say the least: “A powerful leader said, ‘People will fall more easily for a big lie than a small one,’” and that particular leader’s lie was that Jews were the problem with the world. Even though Italy allied with Germany (a point barely made in this account), many Italians joined the resistance. At first, Gino’s friend Archbishop Della Costa recruited him to deliver fake identity papers to Jews in hiding—all on his bicycle. No one questioned the champion cyclist, who could cover 250 miles in a day. Later on his activities branched out. He even helped rescue allied soldiers who were imprisoned in his home town. But no one knew of his deeds until long after, when diaries kept by a leader of the Italian Resistance came to light.

The remarkable story is told in a way well suited to early-elementary ages—Hitler isn’t named and Mussolini isn’t even mentioned. A timeline, author note, and letter from Bartali’s grandfather fill in more information. Illustrations are bold and fluid with a retro feel.

Overall Rating: 4.5

• Worldview/moral value: 4
• Artistic/literary value: 5

Read more about our ratings here.

Also at Redeemed Reader

• Reviews: More real-life “secret heroes” of WWII: Masters of Silence and Nicky and Vera.
• Reviews: See our reviews of Nelson Mandela by Kadir Nelson and Young, Gifted, and Black.
• Resource: A roundup of picture books for Veterans Day.

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