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Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale
A Caldecott Honor and Reading Rainbow book, this memorable retelling of Cinderella is perfect for introducing children to the fairy tale as well as the history, culture, and geography of the African nation of Zimbabwe.
Inspired by a traditional African folktale, this is the story of Mufaro, who is proud of his two beautiful daughters. Nyasha is kind and considerate, but everyone—except Mufaro—knows that Manyara is selfish and bad-tempered.
When the Great King decides to take a wife and invites the most worthy and beautiful daughters in the land to appear before him, Mufaro brings both of his daughters—but only one can be queen. Who will the king choose?
Award-winning artist John Steptoe’s rich cultural imagery of Africa earned him the Coretta Scott King Award for Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters. The book also went on to win the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award. This stunning story is a timeless treasure that readers will enjoy for generations.
Awards:
- Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration
- Caledcott Honor
- Reading Rainbow Book
- Boston Globe-Horn Book
Inspired by a traditional African folktale, this is the story of Mufaro, who is proud of his two beautiful daughters. Nyasha is kind and considerate, but everyone—except Mufaro—knows that Manyara is selfish and bad-tempered.
When the Great King decides to take a wife and invites the most worthy and beautiful daughters in the land to appear before him, Mufaro brings both of his daughters—but only one can be queen. Who will the king choose?
Award-winning artist John Steptoe’s rich cultural imagery of Africa earned him the Coretta Scott King Award for Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters. The book also went on to win the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award. This stunning story is a timeless treasure that readers will enjoy for generations.
Awards:
- Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration
- Caledcott Honor
- Reading Rainbow Book
- Boston Globe-Horn Book
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1987
About the author
John Steptoe
22 books54 followersJohn Steptoe was an award-winning author and illustrator of children's books from New York City. He began working on his first children's book, Stevie, while still a teenager and achieved great success during his tragically short career, encouraging the advancement of African American culture by producing work about the African American experience that children could appreciate. Recipient of two Coretta Scott King Awards and two Caldecott Honors, Steptoe was posthumously honored by the creation of the John Steptoe New Talent Award, an award designated annually by the Coretta Scott King Award Task Force. Steptoe's best known work is Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters, for which he won his second Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,125 reviews
June 5, 2019
This is a Fantastic Fairytale from Africa. There are 2 daughters of a chief that are both very beautiful. One daughter is kind and beautiful on the inside and one daughter would rather be Queen and have people serve her. She is unkind to the other sister. The kind sister tends a beautiful garden and befriends a snake in the garden and sings to it. They are summoned to the great city so the king may choose a wife. The unkind sister sneaks out at night and encounters several people along the way asking for something. She is not kind to them thinking she will be queen and why should a queen be kind. The kind sister sets out with her village and she meets the same people with kindness and gifts. When she gets to the village the sister is screaming in terror as there was a 5 headed snake on the throne. You really need to read the ending. It’s a great tale and like many fairy tales, it ends so well.
I love this story. It has some amazing art and characters and Disney could do a lovely job with this on the big screen. It has some great views and plenty of people. How do I miss so many great stories in the world? I have learned the world is filled with great stories.
The niece couldn’t believe the nice sister would pet the snake in the garden. She said she would not do that. I told her I wouldn’t either. She thought the story was really good too. She gave this 4 stars. She liked the kind sister more. The nephew thought this was a cool story. He liked the snake in the garden and he liked the king at the end. He thought the kind was pretty great. He didn’t like the mean sister either. He gave this 3 stars.
I love this story. It has some amazing art and characters and Disney could do a lovely job with this on the big screen. It has some great views and plenty of people. How do I miss so many great stories in the world? I have learned the world is filled with great stories.
The niece couldn’t believe the nice sister would pet the snake in the garden. She said she would not do that. I told her I wouldn’t either. She thought the story was really good too. She gave this 4 stars. She liked the kind sister more. The nephew thought this was a cool story. He liked the snake in the garden and he liked the king at the end. He thought the kind was pretty great. He didn’t like the mean sister either. He gave this 3 stars.
April 20, 2018
John Steptoe's absolutely brilliant Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters is basically an African take on the globally-known and ever popular Cinderella folklore theme (both narrative and illustrations are outstanding in every way and their lovely and evocative marriage, their delightful combination, turn Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters into truly a shining and glistening gem of a picture book, and not only for children, but actually for anyone interested in and appreciative of global folk and fairy tales). And while the tale, while John Steptoe's presented or rather his adapted narrative (like many if not most Cinderella-type stories) is indeed perhaps rather predictable, it is still and indeed engagingly narrated and the evocative accompanying illustrations are simply and utterly almost too beautiful for words. Furthermore, the fact that details of the illustrations are based on the ruins of an ancient city found in Zimbabwe, pays necessary and cultural homage to the historic civilisations of Africa.
Now personally, I especially and particularly have enjoyed that Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters really features no absolute and horrible villains. Manyara might be vain, proud, unhappy and most definitely constantly teases her sister Nyasha, but she also NEVER tries to actively harm her sister (unlike so many of the other Cinderella-type stories, where the stepsisters or siblings, as well as the stepmothers not only constantly make life miserable for the heroine, but often try to actively harm, and sometimes even kill the poor girl). And when Mufaro and Nyasha finally arrive in the city, Manyara even attempts to warn her sister about the supposed monster. Manyara thus, even with her proud vanity, even though she is selfish and often prone to teasing and nastiness, cares about her sister's safety and she obviously could not have known that for Nyasha, having passed the test that Manyara herself has failed, the snake would turn into the king (and then of course become Nyasha's husband).
Now with regard to folkloric equivalences, aside from the obvious Cinderella thematics, Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters also rather strongly does remind me of some of the (what I would call) sibling quest type of tales, where two very different sisters or brothers go on a similar quest, but only one (the virtuous, humble sibling, who shares his/her food and is kind and loving to all) receives a reward (and there is perhaps even a suggestion of folklore that features a monster bridegroom, namely the snake that turns into the king). And finally, while I do appreciate that John Steptoe has included a short author's note, acknowledging his main sources, the folklore enthusiast in me would have most definitely preferred a more in-depth analysis and discussion of origins, sources and comparisons; his author's note is more than adequate, but it does leave me wishing for a bit more detail (and indeed, a more thorough and involved author's note would definitely have made Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters into a five star book for me).
Now personally, I especially and particularly have enjoyed that Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters really features no absolute and horrible villains. Manyara might be vain, proud, unhappy and most definitely constantly teases her sister Nyasha, but she also NEVER tries to actively harm her sister (unlike so many of the other Cinderella-type stories, where the stepsisters or siblings, as well as the stepmothers not only constantly make life miserable for the heroine, but often try to actively harm, and sometimes even kill the poor girl). And when Mufaro and Nyasha finally arrive in the city, Manyara even attempts to warn her sister about the supposed monster. Manyara thus, even with her proud vanity, even though she is selfish and often prone to teasing and nastiness, cares about her sister's safety and she obviously could not have known that for Nyasha, having passed the test that Manyara herself has failed, the snake would turn into the king (and then of course become Nyasha's husband).
Now with regard to folkloric equivalences, aside from the obvious Cinderella thematics, Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters also rather strongly does remind me of some of the (what I would call) sibling quest type of tales, where two very different sisters or brothers go on a similar quest, but only one (the virtuous, humble sibling, who shares his/her food and is kind and loving to all) receives a reward (and there is perhaps even a suggestion of folklore that features a monster bridegroom, namely the snake that turns into the king). And finally, while I do appreciate that John Steptoe has included a short author's note, acknowledging his main sources, the folklore enthusiast in me would have most definitely preferred a more in-depth analysis and discussion of origins, sources and comparisons; his author's note is more than adequate, but it does leave me wishing for a bit more detail (and indeed, a more thorough and involved author's note would definitely have made Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters into a five star book for me).
February 13, 2018
Loved it!
February 25, 2017
I like retellings of folk tales and this one was good. An African cinderella story with the moral that niceness is rewarded in the end. I liked the way the story included kindness to animals and those in a weaker position than yourself. I didn't like the way that when Nyasha's sister was unkind to her she knew she mustn't bother her father about this. I think it's really important for children to always feel comfortable telling their parents if something has happened to them they don't like. The illustrations were technically very good, almost like photos in places but I felt had a dated 80's feel, but I think children will really enjoy them. I struggle with passing on the message to marry someone you have just met, but I doubt children will be taking that into account for future use! Couldn't decide between 3 or 4 stars but I think children wouldn't see of be attected much by the things I didn't like about the book so 4 stars.
March 16, 2011
The illustrations are magnificent, with lovely depictions of the people and animals.
This tale is fairy tale like predictable but very entertaining.
I appreciated how the author-illustrator gave credit to the folktale that was his inspiration and how at the beginning he translates the meanings of a few names. (But, why name each of your daughters that way?! Self-fulfilling prophesy???)
The Children's Books group has chosen this book for one of its picture books for April, for the Picture Books Club there; the April theme is royalty. This book fits well enough, and it’s such a beautiful book that I’m glad it was chosen. I already had it out from the library when the 5 winners and 1 alternate books were announced.
This tale is fairy tale like predictable but very entertaining.
I appreciated how the author-illustrator gave credit to the folktale that was his inspiration and how at the beginning he translates the meanings of a few names. (But, why name each of your daughters that way?! Self-fulfilling prophesy???)
The Children's Books group has chosen this book for one of its picture books for April, for the Picture Books Club there; the April theme is royalty. This book fits well enough, and it’s such a beautiful book that I’m glad it was chosen. I already had it out from the library when the 5 winners and 1 alternate books were announced.
July 1, 2014
I have not read this book in such a long time. I was probably 10 years old or younger when I first read this book. Reading Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters again brought back the memory of how inspiring and moving it was. I remembered the plot, but what was new to me this time was the illustrations, language and how the story used multiple subjects to disguise the prince. This story touches lightly on the African culture through these things. I liked the story when I was younger, but even more so now that I am older.
January 31, 2012
“Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters” is a Caldecott Honor Book by John Steptoe and it is about how Mufaro’s two beautiful daughters are invited to the king’s palace so that the king will choose a worthy bride, but Manyara, the greedy sister, tries to go off to the king’s palace by herself and meets some disastrous results. “Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters” is a magnificent tale that children will definitely read for many years!
John Steptoe has done a magnificent job at both illustrating and writing this book. John Steptoe effectively retells this ancient African folktale with such tenderness that children will easily get the message about how true kindness towards others will bring the greatest rewards and how greed will bring about the downfall of a person with an extremely proud heart. John Steptoe’s illustrations are extremely beautiful as he makes the characters look extremely realistic and colorful. The highlighted images in this book are the images of the forest itself as the forest looks eerie at night since the branches of the trees are shadowed in a creepy way and when the forest is shown during the day, then the forest looks tranquil and beautiful as you can see various flowers blooming all over the pages of the forest.
“Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters” is great hit for children who love African folktales and will be a favorite for the whole family to enjoy for many years. I would recommend this book to children ages five and up since there are some African names like “Manyara” and “Nyasha” that might be difficult for smaller children to pronounce.
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
John Steptoe has done a magnificent job at both illustrating and writing this book. John Steptoe effectively retells this ancient African folktale with such tenderness that children will easily get the message about how true kindness towards others will bring the greatest rewards and how greed will bring about the downfall of a person with an extremely proud heart. John Steptoe’s illustrations are extremely beautiful as he makes the characters look extremely realistic and colorful. The highlighted images in this book are the images of the forest itself as the forest looks eerie at night since the branches of the trees are shadowed in a creepy way and when the forest is shown during the day, then the forest looks tranquil and beautiful as you can see various flowers blooming all over the pages of the forest.
“Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters” is great hit for children who love African folktales and will be a favorite for the whole family to enjoy for many years. I would recommend this book to children ages five and up since there are some African names like “Manyara” and “Nyasha” that might be difficult for smaller children to pronounce.
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
May 1, 2011
A tale of kindness and selfishness, and their corresponding consequences.
I've loved this book ever since I saw it on "Reading Rainbow" as a child. For whatever reason the book was burned into my memory and I was always delighted whenever it was featured on the show. The story, the illustrations... everything made a huge impression on me.
SO, as an adult I was anxious-excited and anxious-apprehensive to find out if the book would still be as wonderful as I remembered.
I still love it! Yes, upon reading it as an adult there are things that I would like a teeny more depth to, and for that I'd probably have awarded this four stars, but I thought the fact it made such an impression on me when I was younger deserved the extra star.
I've loved this book ever since I saw it on "Reading Rainbow" as a child. For whatever reason the book was burned into my memory and I was always delighted whenever it was featured on the show. The story, the illustrations... everything made a huge impression on me.
SO, as an adult I was anxious-excited and anxious-apprehensive to find out if the book would still be as wonderful as I remembered.
I still love it! Yes, upon reading it as an adult there are things that I would like a teeny more depth to, and for that I'd probably have awarded this four stars, but I thought the fact it made such an impression on me when I was younger deserved the extra star.
December 28, 2008
I should say this is a gorgeous, gorgeous book and Steptoe deserved all the awards and acclaim for it as a work of art. What it is NOT is a book to introduce children to either Cinderella or Zimbabwe. He was inspired by a visit to Zimbabwe to do the story and beautiful it is, but it is absolutely not the way to introduce children to the continent of Africa or Zimbabwe, for that matter. And since the story is one made-up by Steptoe I question using it as an intro into Cinderella stories.
October 11, 2016
I remember having thins book as a child and bought it for my own daughters a few years ago. I've read it many times, and love that something I cherished could be passed on to them, teaching a great lesson in being kind to others, including your own sister.
January 16, 2023
I wasn't a fan of the over-the-top evil sister and the art looked more like photography than illustrations for a fairy tale. Definitely not to my liking, although I did like the mix of Beauty & Beast and Cinderella motifs and elements this retelling of an African tale had.
October 15, 2009
Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters, John Steptoe, is an African Cinderella story. Mufaro was a happy man and a very proud father. Mufaro had two very beautiful daughters who lived with him. Nyasha was kind, considerate, and very beautiful. Manyara, Mufuaro’s other daughter was very cruel, mean, and rude. Everyone knew this about Manyara; everyone except for Mufaro. Manyara spent all of her time teasing her sister. On day, the king decided he wanted to get married and invited "The Most Worthy and Beautiful Daughters in the Land" to appear before him. Manyara wanted her father only to send her, but Mufaro decided that only the king could choose between his most worthy daughters. Manyara, of course, didn't agree, and set out to make certain that she would be chosen by leaving before everyone else. Along the way, the magical king had disguised himself as an old woman, a garden snake, and a young (and very hungry) boy. Manyara treated all of these people very rudely, however Nyasha was kind. Her kindness in the end is what won the heart of the king, and they lived happily ever after!
February 15, 2015
Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters is loosely based on the traditional Cinderella story, and elements of that can be seen throughout the story. It begins with two sisters, Manyara who is selfish and cruel and Nyasha who is clever and kind. Mufaro never saw the difference in personality in his two daughters, but Manyara continually mistreated her sister and others, much like the evil step-sisters in Cinderella. When the King asked to see the sisters, they were put through a series of character tests along the way. In the end, the morality of the sisters meant their fate.
I did see connections to Cinderella, but thought the stronger foil between two characters made this story unique. It also represented another culture and country, adding to the interesting nature of this book. The illustrations are good extensions of what is happening in the text. This would be a good book to use when exploring lessons and themes with younger readers.
I did see connections to Cinderella, but thought the stronger foil between two characters made this story unique. It also represented another culture and country, adding to the interesting nature of this book. The illustrations are good extensions of what is happening in the text. This would be a good book to use when exploring lessons and themes with younger readers.
May 1, 2024
Who do you like better me or ___?
Amen 🥰🌹❤️🙏
Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale by John Steptoe
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8...
Amen 🥰🌹❤️🙏
Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale by John Steptoe
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2024
Gorgeous book!
June 3, 2018
This is a fabulous tale, full of magic, wonder, kindness, grace and even greed and jealousy.
The illustrations are marvelous and really enhance the story. Our girls enjoyed this story a lot and I had fun reading it to them.
This book was selected as one of the April 2011 Royalty themed reads for the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Book group here at Goodreads.
This book was also selected as one of the books for the August 2016- Caldecott Honor discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
This book was also selected as one of the books for the May 2018 - Boston Globe-Horn Book Picture Book Award Winners 1983-1990 discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
The illustrations are marvelous and really enhance the story. Our girls enjoyed this story a lot and I had fun reading it to them.
This book was selected as one of the April 2011 Royalty themed reads for the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Book group here at Goodreads.
This book was also selected as one of the books for the August 2016- Caldecott Honor discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
This book was also selected as one of the books for the May 2018 - Boston Globe-Horn Book Picture Book Award Winners 1983-1990 discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
October 17, 2012
This is such a fantastic "Cinderella Story" that teaches the importance of kindness towards everyone, regardless of their appearance, not just because of the potential rewards (snakes are probably not all kings), but because you are no better than them. The illustrations are wonderfully detailed, it is obvious why it received a Caldecott honor; I loved that Steptol reflects African culture in a beautiful way, rather than depicting it as dirty or "third world" as we are so accustomed to seeing. This reflection allows an outlet for learning about the African culture, which is one that young students rarely hear about outside the context of slavery, which I believe is as important as its moral lesson. It also provides an alternate version of Cinderella, which can allow students to compare how stories can vary by culture. There really is just nothing I disliked about this book, as it has something to offer from almost every angle of storytelling; there are diverse characters, an interesting plot and integral setting, illustrations that contribute to the emotions felt by the characters, and a great moral lesson that is simplified for children to prevent a feeling of heavy-handedness. Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale is definitely worthwhile to read.
April 5, 2011
Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tales was an African tale reminiscent of Cinderella. The illustrations were lovely. I can see how it was a Caldecott Honor Book.
All the woman of the land are invited to the king's palace so he can choose his worthy bride. Both Mufaro's daughters are beautiful, but only one is beautiful both inside and out. Nyasha was so compassionate that she didn't even tell her father the way Manyara treated her because she was too considerate of her father's feelings to complain. I love the magic of the story and the way the story ends. A classic good trumps evil tale.
This was another wonderful monthly read of the Picture Book Club http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...
All the woman of the land are invited to the king's palace so he can choose his worthy bride. Both Mufaro's daughters are beautiful, but only one is beautiful both inside and out. Nyasha was so compassionate that she didn't even tell her father the way Manyara treated her because she was too considerate of her father's feelings to complain. I love the magic of the story and the way the story ends. A classic good trumps evil tale.
This was another wonderful monthly read of the Picture Book Club http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...
December 30, 2008
Inspired by an African folktale, this story relays the virtue of kindness to its readers. Two sisters who have little in common outside of their shared beauty live with their father in a small village. One sister is bad tempered while the other is kind, a fact they both hide from their adoring father. An invitation from the king to bring forth "The Most Worthy and Beautiful Daughters in the Land" brings these differences to light. The story takes place against a beautiful Zimbabwean backdrop alive with an abundance of greens and brightly colored birds. Highly realistic illustrations depicting the facial expressions of the main characters help tell the story. The book may seem predictable at times, but fantastical elements and a surprise ending will keep readers on their toes. Recommended for elementary school libraries.
January 31, 2021
If you have ever heard of "Diamonds and Toads", this African Tale shows off the rich Zimbabwe culture.
Mufaro's beautiful daughters, Nyasha (Mercy) and Manyara (Ashamed) are off to meet the King as an ideal match, one sister will show compassion and one will not.
Multiple scenarios will put the sisters to the test, but Nyasha's compassion to Nyoka, a snake, will be humility, kindness and gratitude.
Beautiful illustrations!
Coretta Scott King Award Winner for Illustration!
Mufaro's beautiful daughters, Nyasha (Mercy) and Manyara (Ashamed) are off to meet the King as an ideal match, one sister will show compassion and one will not.
Multiple scenarios will put the sisters to the test, but Nyasha's compassion to Nyoka, a snake, will be humility, kindness and gratitude.
Beautiful illustrations!
Coretta Scott King Award Winner for Illustration!
March 30, 2021
Inspired from G. M. Theal’s Kaffir Folktales published in 1895. A tale set in Africa of Mufaro and his two beautiful daughters, Manyara and Nyasha. Arrogant and vain Manyara is jealous of her sister, which saddened Nyasha. In the garden kind and friendly Nyasha attended and befriended a snake, Nyoka. The Great King has issued an invite to all the daughters in the land to become his queen. A worthy read with beautiful artwork in this children’s book.
January 31, 2019
I remember enjoying this book as a child. It was such a fantastic tale with good lessons in it, and the artwork is absolutely gorgeous. We need more books like this. Thinking about this book makes me so nostalgic that now I want to buy a copy for myself to read again some 20 years later. Absolutely fantastic book, would recommend, A+++
July 17, 2022
A magnificent retelling of an old African tale that centers on two beautiful sisters, one who’s vain and the other who’s selfless, and how one of them might become the bride of a great village king. It’s the amazing lifelike illustrations that tell the story perfectly. A (100%/Outstanding)
February 5, 2011
This Caldecott Honor picture Book of an African folk tale is illustrated and shared with us by John Steptoe. It is the story of a man, Mufaro, in an African village whose king is seeking a bride and how the man's two daughters, Nyasha and Manyara, persue that dream. It's premise is of pride going before a fall, but for me it was more than anything a story of kindness rewarded for its own sake.
This is one of the most beautifully illustrated books I have read, with lush, deep shades of colors in the foliage and sky. It is illustrated in the Realism style and Steptoe's artistry with the expression on the characters' faces and hand gestures is superb.
I highly recommend, however, listening to this tale as it is read by Robin Miles and following along in the book. Her African accent lends a beauty to the fable that my feeble imagination could not.
Dedicating his book to the children of South Africa, Steptoe writes that he was inspired by a folktale collected by G.M. Theal and published in 1895 in his book, Kaffir Folktales. The illustrations were inspired by the ruins of ancient city in Zimbabwe. The author note also goes on to explain the characters' names and what they mean in their native language.
I think this book could be used in a classroom curriculum in multiple ways, such as unit studying the message and characters in the fables and folk tales from foreign countries, that could include as "How many spots does a leopard have? and other tales" by Julius Lester which includes African and Jewish tales, "Folk tales & fables of Asia & Australia" by Robert Ingpen & Barbara Hayes, "Russian folk-tales" retold by James Riordan, as a few examples. Whenever possible, have the same choices available to be heard as well as read, such as "The rainbow people" by Laurence Yep.
Or it could be paired with other African folktales, such "The Lion and the Ostrich Chick" by Ashley Bryan, which includes folk tales from Hausa, Angolan, Masai, and Bushmen people of Africa and then extend it on with non-fiction during a unit on Africa.
It also could be as an example of how to notice important parts of the illustrations. It could be used for lessons on sequencing, or writing with dialogue. The overall message could spur a good discussion at many grades, from kindergarten up. It would be a wonderful thing to have in a listening center for younger students such as second -graders.
Also there is a recorded Spanish version of this that I haven't listened to yet or read, as well as another version of the tale by Debbie Diller and a teacher's resource guide for the tale that I haven't found yet, but plan on getting.
This is one of the most beautifully illustrated books I have read, with lush, deep shades of colors in the foliage and sky. It is illustrated in the Realism style and Steptoe's artistry with the expression on the characters' faces and hand gestures is superb.
I highly recommend, however, listening to this tale as it is read by Robin Miles and following along in the book. Her African accent lends a beauty to the fable that my feeble imagination could not.
Dedicating his book to the children of South Africa, Steptoe writes that he was inspired by a folktale collected by G.M. Theal and published in 1895 in his book, Kaffir Folktales. The illustrations were inspired by the ruins of ancient city in Zimbabwe. The author note also goes on to explain the characters' names and what they mean in their native language.
I think this book could be used in a classroom curriculum in multiple ways, such as unit studying the message and characters in the fables and folk tales from foreign countries, that could include as "How many spots does a leopard have? and other tales" by Julius Lester which includes African and Jewish tales, "Folk tales & fables of Asia & Australia" by Robert Ingpen & Barbara Hayes, "Russian folk-tales" retold by James Riordan, as a few examples. Whenever possible, have the same choices available to be heard as well as read, such as "The rainbow people" by Laurence Yep.
Or it could be paired with other African folktales, such "The Lion and the Ostrich Chick" by Ashley Bryan, which includes folk tales from Hausa, Angolan, Masai, and Bushmen people of Africa and then extend it on with non-fiction during a unit on Africa.
It also could be as an example of how to notice important parts of the illustrations. It could be used for lessons on sequencing, or writing with dialogue. The overall message could spur a good discussion at many grades, from kindergarten up. It would be a wonderful thing to have in a listening center for younger students such as second -graders.
Also there is a recorded Spanish version of this that I haven't listened to yet or read, as well as another version of the tale by Debbie Diller and a teacher's resource guide for the tale that I haven't found yet, but plan on getting.
October 5, 2011
Mufaro's Beeautiful Daughters is a very-nicely illsutrated picture book that teaches a very importmant moral. From the beginning of the story, the one sister, Manyara, is very rude and selfish, and ignores others. On the other hand, her sister, Nyasha, is a sweet, compassionate, and caring girl. When their Father, Mufaro, tells the girl they will soon depart on a journey to see which girl the King would choose to marry, Manyara becomes cocky and gives attitude towards Nyasha when she see says, "Someday, Nyasha, I will be a queen, and you will be a servant in my household." Kind and timid Nyasha simply replies, "If that should come to pass, I will be pleased to serve you. But why do you say such things? You are clever and strong and beautiful. Why are you so unhappy?" Manyara carries on about how everyone views Nyasha as the "nice" sister, and goes on to call Nyasha silly and weak for being so nice to everyone she encounters. Manyara is visited along the way by a mythical creature who can transform from human to animal, and is put through a series of tests of kindness by this creature. However, Manyara fails every chance she gets to redeem her mean and awful ways. If only Manyara had known the true identity of this creature, she may have realized what she was searching for was right in front of her. The end of this story shows children that it pays off to be kind to others, and that good prevails over evil. I really liked the visual aids throughout the book; they were attention grabbing and very colorful. I would use this story when introducing a lesson about right and wrong, good and evil, and kindness and ask students what they think the lesson of this story is.
February 27, 2012
This story teaches a lesson in kindness. Mufaro (meaning “happy man” in Shona) is a king who has two beautiful daughters one named Manyara, meaning “ashamed”, who is a mean spirited princess while the other named Nyasha meaning “mercy”, is kind towards everyone even her mean sister. I was glad to read a folk/ fairytale of a different culture this one being formed from the African culture. The images in the book reflected the events in text but they showed what the text didn’t and couldn’t describe about the setting of this story. The illustrations of this book immediately immersed me into the lush green setting that resembled Zimbabwe. I loved getting to see all the bright beautiful birds and flowers. The story can not only teach kids about how their kindness will be rewarded but it can also introduce them to some aspects of the African culture.
May 2, 2016
I read this when I was about 10 at my school and it was a beautiful story about beauty not always being on the outside, but the inside, and that being a good person was better than being beautiful.
I've always kept this story in my heart and I think it's a great reendition of Cinderella for little black girls and even other races.
Give it a try.
I've always kept this story in my heart and I think it's a great reendition of Cinderella for little black girls and even other races.
Give it a try.
September 6, 2020
Reviewed for THC Reviews
As a new grandmother, I’ve been searching for more diverse children’s books to add to my library, and I ran across Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters at the library sale a while back. I bought it and I’m so glad I did. It’s a lovely Cinderella-esque story of a man named Mufaro who lives in an African village and has two beautiful daughters, Manyara and Nyasha. Manyara is selfish and cruel, while Nyasha is always sweet and kind to humans and animals alike. One day, a messenger arrives from the city, saying that the king is searching for a wife and he’s invited all the most beautiful and worthy daughters in the land to appear before him. Wanting to be the first to arrive, Manyara sneaks out ahead of everyone else, but fails to heed the warnings of the people she meets along the way. Meanwhile Nyasha leaves with everyone else the next morning and when she arrives a surprise awaits her.
As a lover of all things fairy tale, I very much enjoyed this story. It’s everything I expect a fairy tale to be, including the HEA, just with an African backdrop and characters. According to the author’s note inside, the story was inspired by an African folktale that was published in the late 19th century, while the characters names are taken from the Shona language. The illustrations are quite beautiful, detailed, and realistic, and again, according to the note, the settings were inspired by the ruins of an ancient city in Zimbabwe, as well as the plants and animals of the region. Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters was a Caldecott Honor Book and also the recipient of the Coretta Scott King Award for its illustrations, and I can definitely see why. In addition to the wonderful illustrations and the fairy tale quality of the story, I also very much appreciated the message about true beauty having more to do with a kindness of the heart and that pride and selfishness have consequences. The book is a keeper for me, and with this being my first read by the late John Steptoe, I’ll certainly be checking out his other work.
As a new grandmother, I’ve been searching for more diverse children’s books to add to my library, and I ran across Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters at the library sale a while back. I bought it and I’m so glad I did. It’s a lovely Cinderella-esque story of a man named Mufaro who lives in an African village and has two beautiful daughters, Manyara and Nyasha. Manyara is selfish and cruel, while Nyasha is always sweet and kind to humans and animals alike. One day, a messenger arrives from the city, saying that the king is searching for a wife and he’s invited all the most beautiful and worthy daughters in the land to appear before him. Wanting to be the first to arrive, Manyara sneaks out ahead of everyone else, but fails to heed the warnings of the people she meets along the way. Meanwhile Nyasha leaves with everyone else the next morning and when she arrives a surprise awaits her.
As a lover of all things fairy tale, I very much enjoyed this story. It’s everything I expect a fairy tale to be, including the HEA, just with an African backdrop and characters. According to the author’s note inside, the story was inspired by an African folktale that was published in the late 19th century, while the characters names are taken from the Shona language. The illustrations are quite beautiful, detailed, and realistic, and again, according to the note, the settings were inspired by the ruins of an ancient city in Zimbabwe, as well as the plants and animals of the region. Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters was a Caldecott Honor Book and also the recipient of the Coretta Scott King Award for its illustrations, and I can definitely see why. In addition to the wonderful illustrations and the fairy tale quality of the story, I also very much appreciated the message about true beauty having more to do with a kindness of the heart and that pride and selfishness have consequences. The book is a keeper for me, and with this being my first read by the late John Steptoe, I’ll certainly be checking out his other work.
March 15, 2020
Inspired by a story in George McCall Theal's 1895 collection,
Kaffir Folk Tales
(apologies everyone, I did not name the book), John Steptoe's 1987 picture-book, Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters, was awarded a Caldecott Honor (as well as being chosen as a Reading Rainbow selection), and it is not difficult to see why! The gorgeous illustrations capture the beauty of Mufaro's village, and the surrounding countryside, the majesty of the King's great city, and the very different dispositions of Mufaro's two beautiful daughters, Nyasha and Manyara. The tale itself, in which inner beauty is rewarded, while vanity and disrespect are not, has many motifs that folklore enthusiasts will recognize, from the competition amongst sisters for royal favor, to the three tests which the characters must face.
Chosen as one of our April selections, over in the Picture-Book Club to which I belong, where our theme this month is "Royalty," Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters is a book that I first encountered as a young girl, and which I have always loved. The story itself is charming, the artwork immensely appealing, and the setting at Great Zimbabwe - an ancient civilization that has always intrigued me - all combine in a most satisfying way. I was struck, on this rereading, by the disconnect between Steptoe's source material (the original tale would have been Xhosa) and the cultural setting he chose (Shona), but appreciated his honesty, in not trying to claim that his retelling was traditional. Leaving this issue aside, this is a wonderful book, one I would recommend to young folk and fairy-tale lover everywhere!
Chosen as one of our April selections, over in the Picture-Book Club to which I belong, where our theme this month is "Royalty," Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters is a book that I first encountered as a young girl, and which I have always loved. The story itself is charming, the artwork immensely appealing, and the setting at Great Zimbabwe - an ancient civilization that has always intrigued me - all combine in a most satisfying way. I was struck, on this rereading, by the disconnect between Steptoe's source material (the original tale would have been Xhosa) and the cultural setting he chose (Shona), but appreciated his honesty, in not trying to claim that his retelling was traditional. Leaving this issue aside, this is a wonderful book, one I would recommend to young folk and fairy-tale lover everywhere!
November 22, 2016
“Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale”, written by John Steptol and inspired by a folktale from Southern Africa, is a story of two sisters who want to marry a king. Nyasha is kind-hearted, humble, and hardworking, while her sister Manyara is selfish and scheming, and treats Nyasha terribly. When news arrives that the king is looking for a wife, Manyara sneaks away to the kingdom immediately. Manyara insults many people on her way to the kingdom, including a starving boy who asks for food. Nyasha, on the other hand, is kind to everyone she meets, feeding the same starving boy. Nyasha is even kind to the snake she meets in the kingdom. The snake then transforms into the king and reveals that he was disguised as all of the people the sisters confronted along the way. Justice prevails, as the king chooses Nyasha as his queen and Manyara becomes a servant.
This story is powerful because is presents a Cinderella-like story from a different cultural perspective. It also teaches a powerful lesson that it is important be respectful to every person you meet, because you never know how that person may impact your life later one.
This book is a Caldecott Honor Book.
I would highly recommend this book as a quality read aloud option for first or second grade students. Because of this book’s similarities and differences to our traditional Cinderella story, it could be used when teaching a unit that compares and contrasts cultures. Additionally, because it teaches the importance of kindness and respect, it could be used at the beginning of the year when introducing classroom expectations, or as part of a social studies unit on good citizenship.
This story is powerful because is presents a Cinderella-like story from a different cultural perspective. It also teaches a powerful lesson that it is important be respectful to every person you meet, because you never know how that person may impact your life later one.
This book is a Caldecott Honor Book.
I would highly recommend this book as a quality read aloud option for first or second grade students. Because of this book’s similarities and differences to our traditional Cinderella story, it could be used when teaching a unit that compares and contrasts cultures. Additionally, because it teaches the importance of kindness and respect, it could be used at the beginning of the year when introducing classroom expectations, or as part of a social studies unit on good citizenship.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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