The book also went on to win the boston globehorn book award. It is a wonderfully illustrated picture book with familiar characters a fairy godmother. An african tale written and illustrated by john steptoe inspired by a traditional african folktale, this is the story of mufaro, who is proud of his two beautiful daughters. Theal when he was in africa, and published in 1895 in his book kaffir folktales. Author and illustrator john steptoe created mufaros beautiful daughters from a story collected by g. Mufaro s beautiful daughters is about two sisters, manyara and nyasha, who are outwardly very beautiful, but who have completely opposite personalities. Mufaros beautiful daughters scroll down on the page for crosscurricular lesson ideas. John steptoe books list of books by author john steptoe. Donate your contribution will help us to provide free books and literacy resources to children across the nation. The story of jumping mouse in 1985 and mufaro s beautiful daughters.
Mufaros beautiful daughters is about two sisters, manyara and nyasha, who are. Perfect for introducing variants to the cinderella story as well as the history, culture, and. Nyasha is kind and considerate, but manyara is selfish and spoiled. This book module deals with multiculturalism and ethics, specifically happiness. In his twentyyear career, john steptoe illustrated sixteen picture books, twelve of which he also wrote. A man named mufaro lived in this village with his two daughters, who were called manyara and nyasha. Nyasha is kind and considerate, but everyoneexcept mufaroknows that manyara is. This story, based on an african folktale, is somewhat similar to other folktales and fairy tales from other parts of the world such as cinderella, mother holle, and vasilisa the beautiful, where a girl with a kind, hardworking nature triumphs over a mean sibling because someone in authority recognizes her good nature and rewards it. The king takes on disguises to learn the true nature of both girls. Mufaros beautiful daughters harpercollins publishers. Mufaros beautiful daughters is a childrens picture book published in 1987 by john steptoe. Mufaros beautiful daughters is a caldecott honor book by john steptoe and it is about how mufaros two beautiful daughters are invited to the kings palace so that the king will choose a worthy bride, but manyara, the greedy sister, tries to go off to the kings palace by herself and meets some disastrous results. A caldecott honor and reading rainbow book, this memorable. This is the tale of mufaros two daughters, two beautiful girls who react in different ways to the kings search for a wife one is aggressive and selfish, the other kind and dignified.
Inspired by a traditional african folktale, this is the story of mufaro, who is proud of his two beautiful. Share with students that folktales are stories handed down from one generation to another by word of mouth. Yet those who dislike that story because the idiot prince cant seem to recognize the love of his life without the aid of a shoe might enjoy this tale better. Mufaros beautiful daughters was inspired by an african folktale. Mufaros beautiful daughters john steptoe hardcover. Mufaros beautiful daughters audiobook by john steptoe. When the king decides to choose a bride from among the most worthy and beautiful daughters in the land, both mufaro s girls travel to the capital city. Nyasha is kind and considerate, but everyoneexcept mufaroknows that manyara is selfish and badtempered. John steptoe creator of awardwinning books for children. Venn diagram compare and contrast the book with other cinderella stories. It is the tale of two very different daughters who learn the ills of pride, selfishness, and fierce competitiveness.
Steptoe illustrated 15 more picture books, ten of which he also wrote. An african tale hardcover published december 1st 2001 by live oak media ny with cassette, hardcover, 32 pages. Everyone agreed that his two daughters were very beautiful. Mufaros beautiful daughters by john steptoe scholastic. Badtempered manyara taunts nyasha behind mufaro s back. See if it reminds you of a folktale you might know cinderella. Mufaro s beautiful daughters is wonderful book to read to your class. See all books authored by john steptoe, including mufaros beautiful daughters. Awardwinning artist john steptoes rich cultural imagery of africa earned him the coretta scott king award for mufaro s beautiful daughters. With beautiful illustrations, mufaros beautiful daughters, a caldecott honor picture book, is perfect for introducing children to the cinderella fairytale as well as the history, culture, and geography of the african nation of zimbabwe.
Mufaros beautiful daughters is a caldecott honor book by john steptoe and it is. When the king decided to take a wife and invited the most worthy and beautiful daughters in the land to appear before him, mufaro. The american library association named two of his books caldecott honor books, a prestigious award for childrens book illustration. The articulate accented and rhythmic narration of robin miles brings a new dimension to this readalong version of a beloved classic african tale of greed and pride, a variation of charles perraults fairy tale about the unkind sister. Mufaros beautiful daughters childrens lit classics. Mufaro s beautiful daughters is an african folktale from zimbabwe, a country in africa. See more support materials for mufaro s beautiful daughters. Mufaros beautiful daughters jestresss forgotten books. Steptoe twice received the coretta scott king award. Mufaro s beautiful daughters was inspired by an african folktale. The story of jumping mouse in 1985 and mufaro s beautiful daughters in 1988. I bought this book because its really hard to find childrens books where there are black characters. Multicultural, content course, international, award winner age range. Mufaros beautiful daughters teaching children philosophy.
The story starts with mufaro, a man with two beautiful daughters whom he loves equally. One daughter, nyasha is kind and gentle while the other daughter, manyara was usually in a bad mood and. 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. The story of jumping mouse in 1985 and mufaros beautiful daughters in 1988. The book tells the story of two sisters and their journey to become queen. Mufaro s beautiful daughters lesson plan and activities. Kindness just because students analyze acts of kindness and selfishness, place events of the story in their proper sequence, describe the setting, and trace a route on a map that shows rivers and mountains. Read aloud mufaro s beautiful daughters this is the tale of mufaro s two daughters, two beautiful girls who.
Nyasha is kind and considerate, but everyoneexcept mufaro knows that manyara is selfish and badtempered. Read book mufaros beautiful daughters an african tale john steptoe mufaros beautiful daughters an african tale john steptoe mufaro s beautiful daughters read aloud book and illustrations by john steptoe. Mufaros beautiful daughters an african tale john steptoe. The moral of the story, which seems to be that kind, selfless people are. Nyasha was kind and considerate as well as beautiful, but everyone except mufaro knew that manyara was selfish, badtempered, and spoiled. The illustrations in this book were inspired by the ruins and the flowers of an ancient city in zimbabwe. With deep rural african roots, steptoe teaches his audience about. So, when he hears that a prince is looking for a beautiful wife, he believes that both of his daughters have a chance at true happiness. Word reaches them that the king of their land is searching for. Mufaros beautiful daughters, john steptoe, is an african cinderella story. Mufaros beautiful daughters is an african folktale. Mufaros beautiful daughters lesson plan and activities. Inspired by a traditional african folktale, this is the story of mufaro, who is proud of his two beautiful daughters. Awardwinning artist john steptoes rich cultural imagery of africa earned him the coretta scott king award for mufaros beautiful daughters.
Manyara, an illtempered girl, is jealous of nyasha and vows to one day be queen and have nyasha as her servant. This oversize edition 14 34 by 17 58 inches makes it easy to share the book in a library or classroom. This african tale evokes the cinderella story, as well as the traditional theme of good triumphing over evil. Because of this love, he can find no fault with either of them. This stunning story is a timeless treasure that readers will enjoy for generations. Mufaro s beautiful daughters by john steptoe, 1987. Mufaro s daughters are tested unknowingly to reveal which one is worthy enough to marry the king in this awardwinning production, lush with steptoes magnificent paintings and a rich musical score. An african tale, and the story of jumping mouse caldecott honor books, and more on. Critique this book clearly falls under the genre of traditional literature for several reasons. Nyasha is saddened by her sisters anger, but goes on about her business of tending a garden, singing even more sweetly when the pretty little snake, nyoka, is there. Mufaros beautiful daughters lesson plan scholastic.
Mufaros beautiful daughters by john steptoe picture. Mufaros beautiful daughters discussion guide scholastic. Manyara is selfish and assertive, while nyasha is selfless and charitable. This is the tale of mufaros two daughters, two beautiful girls who react in. A caldecott honor and reading rainbow book, this memorable retelling of. Mufaros beautiful daughters by john steptoe a long time ago, in a. Unit 2b folklore folktales fairytales mufaro s beautiful daughters by john steptoe a long time ago, in a certain place in africa, a small village lay across a river and half a days journey from a city where a great king lived. Sequencing activity cut the cards and put the story i. Reading to kids is a grassroots organization dedicated to inspiring underserved children with a love of reading, thereby enriching their lives and opportunities for future success. Mufaros beautiful daughters discussion guide in a small african village lives a man named mufaro and his two beautiful daughters, manyara and nyasha. It has some elements of the classic grimms version of cinderella. The two are happily married, and mufaro tells everyone that he is lucky to have two, beautiful daughters.
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