Brigitte Benchimol, illustrated by Mark W. Adams,
Jadyn and the Magic Bubble: I Met Gandhi!
East West Discovery Press, 2008.
Ages 5-12

This book, the second in the Magic Bubble series, the first being Jadyn and the Magic Bubble: Discovering India, has Jadyn returning to India via a magic bubble: but this time he also travels back in time and is accompanied by Gandhi himself!

Jadyn is present for many of the important events in Gandhi’s life, beginning with him being thrown off a train in South Africa for refusing to move to third class (where “colored” people were supposed to sit) while he held a first class ticket.  This event is regarded as one of the turning points that inspired Gandhi to dedicate himself to activism and nonviolence.  Despite his indignation, Jadyn grows from sharing this experience with Gandhi, becoming personally invested in recognizing the evils of racism and the virtues of nonviolent action.

The unlikely pair continues on several more adventures, and with each one Jadyn learns not only more about Gandhi but also more about himself. Meaningful quotes from Gandhi appear on nearly every page, encouraging Jadyn and the reader to reflect on the wisdom of this great man.  Jadyn also learns that, though one may believe in nonviolence and right action philosophically, it is sometimes very difficult to carry out those beliefs.  With each injustice, Jadyn feels anger welling up like a dragon inside him.  Fortunately Gandhi is always there to remind him that “nonviolence is the weapon of the brave” and that “an eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.”

Jadyn is eventually reunited with Anil, his friend from the previous book, and soon has to make his way back home where his parents reveal their plans for a special trip. The end of the story is followed by four pages of activities and facts about Gandhi’s life, and an envelope on the back cover supplies a CD that contains an audiobook version, music, and several other activities, puzzles of famous Gandhi quotes, and a poster of Gandhi. With this imaginative and compelling story, Brigitte Benchimol, an early childhood educator, has created an entire curriculum that will help kids learn about Gandhi, history, nonviolence, culture, and their own feelings. The supplemental materials help children receive Gandhi’s message with all six senses - imagination included! - in a way that will resonate with them now and far into their futures.

Abigail Sawyer
November, 2008