Originally published in South Africa in 2002 under the title: Madiba magic : Nelson Mandela's favourite stories for children.

Published in the U.S. in previous editions under the titles: Nelson Mandela's favorite African folktales, and Favorite African folktales.

32 tales, selected by Nelson Mandela, retold by Jack Cope ... [et al.] and illustrated by Neels Britz ... [et al.].

The enchanting song of the magical bird (Tanzania) -- The cat who came indoors (Zimbabwe) -- The great thirst (San, Southern Africa) -- King Lion's gifts (Khoi, Southern Africa) -- The message (Namibia) -- The snake chief (West Africa/Zululand, South Africa) -- How Hlakanyana outwitted the monster (Nguni, South Africa) -- Words as sweet as honey from Sankhambi (Venda, South Africa) -- Mmutla and Phiri (Botswana) -- The lion, the hare, and the hyena (Kenya) -- Mmadipetsane (Lesotho) -- Kamiyo of the river (Transkei, South Africa) -- Spider and the crows (Nigeria) -- Natiki (Namaqualand, South Africa) -- The hare and the tree spirit (Xhosa, South Africa) -- The mantis and the moon (San, Southern Africa) -- The snake with seven heads (Xhosa, South Africa) -- The hare's revenge (Zambia) -- The wolf queen (Cape Malay) -- Van Hunks and the devil (Cape Dutch) -- Wolf and jackal and the barrel of butter (Cape Dutch) -- The cloud princess (Swaziland) -- The guardian of the pool (Central Africa/Zululand, South Africa) -- The sultan's daughter (Cape Malay) -- The ring of the king (Mythical African kingdom) -- The clever snake charmer (Morocco) -- Asmodeus and the bottler of djinns (South African English) -- Sakunaka, the handsome young man (Zimbabwe) -- The mother who turned to dust (Malawi) -- Mpipidi and the motlopi tree (Botswana) -- Fesito goes to market (Uganda) -- Sannie Langtand and the visitor (South African English).