Desmond and the Very Mean Word
Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Douglas Carlton Abrams, Authors
A.G. Ford, Illustrator
Candlewick Press, Biography, 2013
Suitable for Ages: 6-10
Themes: Bullying, Racism, Compassion, South Africa, Archbishop Tutu
Opening: “Desmond was very proud of his new bicycle. He was the only child in the whole township who had one, and he couldn’t wait to show it to Father Trevor.”
Jacket Synopsis: When Desmond takes his new bicycle out for a ride, his pride and joy turn to hurt and anger when some boys shout a very mean word at him. No matter what he tries, Desmond can’t stop thinking about what the boys said. With the wise advice of kindly Father Trevor, Desmond learns an important lesson about understanding his conflicted feelings and how to forgive.
Why I like this book: This heartfelt story is based on a true-life story from Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s childhood in South Africa. Like many African children, Tutu is bullied and words of hatred shouted at him by other boys. He is angry and after several incidents, he turns and shouts the meanest word he can think of. At first he is proud of himself, but later feels shame good over his actions. I really think it’s important for children to know how a Nobel Peace Prize winner comes to terms with issues that are still relevant today. Desmond finds that forgiveness is the only way to free himself from his anger. This is a very important step for the young Desmond — for all children. The author focuses on his feelings instead of sounding preachy. Ford’s stunning oil paintings powerfully depict Desmond’s early life in South Africa and capture the emotion of the characters.
Resources: Archbishop Tutu has a forward about the story and a backpage of history about his relationship with Father Trevor. Tutu has spent his life bringing equality, justice, and peace to South Africa. He continues to be a leading spokesperson for peace and forgiveness. Candlewick Press has prepared a Teacher’s Guide for use with the book in the classroom.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.
Children's Books Heal 
This is a GREAT book, Pat! Thank you so much for adding it to our list. I read it in a bookstore in Vermont a while back, and it’s wonderful!
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I love to share books like this. I’m glad you enjoyed it as much as I did, Susanna. It is a gem!
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I’m adding this one to my list! What a terrific book to spark conversation with children. Desmond isn’t a preachy, ‘just turn the other cheek’ character, but one that shows real pain and anger. I love that he walks children through his experience of how his own mean words made him feel, and how forgiving was what brought him peace. Forgiving is a verb- it’s an action that often takes a lot of effort, but it’s a gift that can bring us peace. Great book, Pat!
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Thank you Lana for the lovely comments. You touched on the central theme of the book, learning about forgiveness. A great teaching moment for children. Holding onto to anger only hurts us, because the other person has moved on. So it is a gift to forgive and feel peace within.
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Looks like another important book for my shelf. Forgiveness … the win-win virtue that you give to yourself as well as to others. Thank you, Pat!
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Yes, this would go nicely with the Character Values you teach your students. I love this virtue as it is a win situation for all! Glad you liked my choice.
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What an amazing tale. I guess I don’t think about the fact that bullying happens all over the world, even to Desmond Tutu. Thanks Pat.
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I think bullying exists everywhere. And, it’s a great lesson in how Desmond handled the situation by reacting, then feeling bad about what he said. Many teachable moments in this story of this great man.
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Another excellent book Pat! As always, thanks for sharing!
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I’m so pleased you enjoyed my selection. The illustrations are beautiful and message important.
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Just the other day I was thinking to myself “Gee, I seem to be finding so many great titles from Candlewick Press!” With titles like Desmond and the Very Mean Word, Ladder to the Moon, and Journey, I’m going to keep my eye on their catalogs. Thanks for sharing this book. It will definitely land on our shelves and in people’s hands in our shop in San Mateo!
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Candlewick specializes in children and there are so many great authors who publish under them. This book is important and similar to the books I’ve reviewed on Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King and Helen Keller. All with similar messages. Check out their website. You may want to scroll back through my blog, as there are some books I’ve reviewed I’m not sure you’ve seen that I know you’d like.
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Thanks for reviewing this book Pat. My son had been bullied last year, and even though the child is no longer at the school, it’s amazing how he still dwells upon it. Will look for this one in the library. It might be very helpful to him.
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This would be a great book to share with your son. My daughter was bullied as a child and she still remembers vividly as an adult. There are many good bullying books out there. Check my sidebar for some of the ones I’ve reviewed.
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Will do! Thank you!
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Pat, the words are beautiful! I love the intro addressed to Dear Child! Thank you for the post.
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Thank you. It is a powerful book for children. I also loved the intro to children.
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What could be better? A book from Desmond Tutu’s childhood! A real gift.
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Thank you for your lovely comment. His book is a gift to children.
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This should be interesting – thanks!
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Thanks Julie!
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It’s great to here such an honest, uplifting childhood story of someone like Desmond Tutu. Great find.
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Yes, it was a great find. The book actually found me. I loved it right away! It reminds me of the great books about Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King and Helen Keller that I’ve reviewed this past year!
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Pat, thank you for this suggestion. I want to find this to share with my class. Our oldest was bullied in 4th grade, she was very forgiving, but it took a while to sort things out with the bully.
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Laura, I’m glad you responded. I left you a note on Susanna’s blog about the post button missing from your blog, so I couldn’t comment.
It is a great classroom book and I do hope you use it. Last year I reviewed a series of books called the Weird Series. If you click on bullying in my right sidebar, you can find the books. Each book focuses on the victim, the bystander and the bully. Another excellent series for the classroom.
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Everyone else noted the content but I just wanted to add that I haven’t seen this book yet but I’m drawn in by the richness of the oil portraits. While other illustration techniques may look more modern, there’s a lot to love about the oils.
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Wendy, the oil painting were gorgeous. That’s why I compared it the book on Mandela, MLK and Helen Keller as they were all gorgeous oils and the artwork would easily grace a gallery.
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This sounds like a magnificent book on bullying, and that you shouldn’t “strike back” with anger. 🙂 Find it interesting that Archbishop Tutu wrote this. 🙂
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He wrote it because it is was a significant time in his youth when he learned about bullying, not reacting and learning to forgive. You would love the illustrations, Erik.
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Desmond Tutu himself, forgiveness, lovely illustrations. Looks like a nice package. Thanks for sharing. I think I need to find this for my book bag.
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Yes, another good book for your sharing book bag at school. Great discussion book for kids. And, the oil paintings are beautiful!
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I didn’t realize this book existed. Appropriate and timely. Thanks for reviewing it.
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I’m glad you enjoyed the book review Joanne. Timely message and the artwork is stunning.
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What a wonderful book with a lesson and some history behind it. It is all the more meaningful since it is about a public figure. Children need to read books like this.
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I loved this story! It is a very meaningful book for kids about such a public figure and how he dealt with bullying and racism. Thanks for sharing my review on twitter.
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Hi Pat. This book sounds just wonderful. There is a huge percentage of children that get bullied in some way and harbor anger. It sounds like this story is perfect for those who are bullied and for those who do the bullying. You want to hope at some point that bullies will hear something that will make them reconsider their words.
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I’m glad you enjoyed my selection. Not only are the oil paintings gorgeous, but the message is important. Even famous individuals have dealt with bullying. With the theme of learning to forgive, it’s also good for MLK Day.
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