John steptoe september 14, 1950 august 28, 1989 was an author and illustrator for childrens books dealing with aspects of the africanamerican experience. Mufaros beautiful daughters by john steptoe is a story based on an african folk tale, which seems to be a cinderella variant. Mufaros beautiful daughters lesson plan and activities mufaros beautiful daughters is an african folktale from zimbabwe, a country in africa. Read aloud mufaros beautiful daughters 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. Everyone agreed that his two daughters were very beautiful. The tale is charming with morals including treating others as. One daughter, nyasha is kind and gentle while the other daughter, manyara was usually in a bad mood and. Steptoes glowing palette captures the brilliant hues of the dense african forest in a time long past where everyone agreed that mufaros daughters were very beautiful. When the king sends notice far and wide that he is looking to choose a queen. Both of mufaro s daughters are beautiful but one is bad tempered and one is kind. Mufaros beautiful daughters by john steptoe scholastic. Since this book is considered to be an african tale some pictures may also be folk art. In fact, the lecture that i gave during the asian festival of childrens content may of last year had something to do. The king disguises himself to learn the true nature of both the girls and chooses nyasha, the kind and generous daughter, to be the queen.
One day, the king sends out a proclamation that he is looking for a wife and all eligible women need to report to. Multicultural, content course, international, award winner age range. Allison henry, award book, family, culture, picture book, fiction, 23, 45. Whenever her fathers back was turned shed tease her sister. Mufaros beautiful daughters lesson plan and activities. Mufaros beautiful daughters is an african tale that steptoe was inspired to write based on g.
They are passed from one generation to another by word of mouth. Mufaros two daughters react in different ways to the kings search for a wife one is aggressive and selfish, the other kind and dignified. An african tale book 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. Mufaro s beautiful daughters by john steptoe and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. In the classic folktale tradition, gentle nyasha justly earns the title most worthy and beautiful and becomes queen in spite of temperamental manyaras deceitful actions. Nyasha is kind and considerate, but everyoneexcept mufaro knows that manyara is selfish and badtempered. Mufaro has two daughters, the badtempered manyara and the loving nyasha, who must pass a series of tests in order for one of them to be considered a. The king takes on disguises to learn the true nature of both girls and of course chooses nyasha, the kind and gen. Introduce folktales and mufaros beautiful daughters by saying the following. 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.
I have an unabashed fascination with folklore and mythology. Mufaro s beautiful daughters picture puffin 9780140559460 by steptoe, john and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Donate your contribution will help us to provide free books and literacy resources to children across the nation. The book i am offering may not have the same cover as the one pictured. Mufaro s beautiful daughters was inspired by an african folktale. I recommend this for every child to read, worth every penny. Mufaros beautiful daughters lesson plan scholastic. This book is based on an african folk tale collected and published in 1895. John steptoes illustrations are sublime in their beautiful simplicity. An african tale picture puffin paperback july 1, 2008 by john steptoe author. Mufaros beautiful daughters was inspired by an african folktale.
This book is a beautiful african cinderella fairy tale. Dec 31, 2018 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. Unit 2b folklore folktales fairytales mufaros 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. Mufaros beautiful daughters hardcover childrens book. 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. Mufaros beautiful daughters by john steptoe and a great selection of related books. Inspired by a traditional african folktale, this is the story of mufaro, who is proud of his two beautiful. Award winning childrens authorillustrator john steptoe researched african history and culture to write mufaros beautiful daughters. Inspired by a traditional african folktale, this is the story of mufaro, who is proud of his two beautiful daughters. 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. An african tale paperback little proud kid marketplace this is the tale of mufaro s two daughters, two beautiful girls who react in different ways to the king s search for a wife one is aggressive and selfish, the. African tale john steptoe mufaros beautiful daughters read aloud book and illustrations by john steptoe. Folktales are stories that are heard and remembered. All the woman of the land are invited to the kings palace so he can choose his worthy bride.
An african tale paperback little proud kid marketplace 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. 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 daughtersbut. When the king decides to choose a bride from among the most worthy and beautiful daughters in the land, both mufaros girls travel to the capital city. Theals kaffir folktales, interestingly this story has similar characteristics to the american cinderella story.
When the king of the land asks the daughters to appear before him so he can choose a queen, the prideful, bad tempered daughter decides to set out in the night so she can get there first. They convey action, contemplation, confrontation, happiness and even kindness. This stunning story is a timeless treasure that readers will enjoy for generations. A man named mufaro lived in this village with his two daughters, who were called manyara and nyasha. Introduce folktales and mufaro s beautiful daughters by saying the following. Mufaros beautiful daughters picture puffin 9780140559460 by steptoe, john and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Mufaros beautiful daughters is the story of nyasha, the nice sister, and manyara, the mean sister. Mufaros beautiful daughters an african tale john steptoe.
Our celebration of black history month continues here in gatheringbooks with john steptoes adaptation of an african tale entitled mufaros beautiful daughters. Mufaros beautiful daughters lesson plan and activities woo. The inspiration for this book is the beautiful setting of an ancient city in zimbabwe. 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. An african tale pdf, 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. Share with students that folktales are stories handed down from one generation to another by word of mouth. Jul 08, 2012 this book is based on an african folk tale collected and published in 1895. Receiving the prestigious caldecott award, his work has been acknowledged as a breakthrough as it inspires african american children to respect their ancestral. Both mufaros daughters are beautiful, but only one is beautiful both inside and out. 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. This caldecott medalwinning african tale evokes the cinderella story, as well as the traditional theme of good triumphing over evil. I remember when i was a child listening to this story from reading rainbow and i was hooked. See more support materials for mufaros beautiful daughters. Mufaros beautiful daughters a long time ago in a small village half a days journey from where a great king lived, lived a man named mufaro and his two beautiful daughters, manyara and nyasha.
Nyasha is kind and considerate, but everyoneexcept mufaroknows that manyara is selfish and badtempered. Mufaros beautiful daughters teaching children philosophy. Nyasha was kind and considerate as well as beautiful, but everyone except. Mufaros beautiful daughters john steptoe hardcover. Nyasha is kind and considerate, but manyara is selfish and spoiled. He is best known for mufaros beautiful daughters, which was acknowledged by literary critics as a breakthrough in african history and culture. The king takes on disguises to learn the true nature of both girls andof course chooses nyasha, the kind and generous daughter, to be his queen. Once id finished reading the story, i immediately went back and began to pour over these gorgeous pictures. The ruins can be seen in the ancient and ruined city of great zimbabwe located in the southeastern hills of zimbabwe near lake mutirikwe and the town of masvingo. Any mfa in childrens writing must have this book on its required reading list such an important tale. The king takes on disguises to learn the true nature of both girls andof course chooses nyasha, the kind and generous daughter, to. One is kind and generous in spirit, while the other is illtempered and jealous. Its been one of my favorite stories since i was young that i still own the paper back copy i had since i was a young girl. A caldecott honor and reading rainbow book, this memorable retelling of cinderella is perfect for.
Perfect for introducing variants to the cinderella story as well as the history, culture, and. Mufaro has two daughters, the badtempered manyara and the loving nyasha, who must pass a series of tests in order for one of them to be considered a beautiful and worthy wife for the great king. A beautifully illustrated african tale of a man, mufaro, who has two beautiful daughters. Explain that long ago before books were available, people told stories as a way of. An african tales was an african tale reminiscent of cinderella. An african tale from the worlds largest community of readers. The tale of mufaro s two daughters, two beautiful girls who react in different ways to the king s search for a wife one is aggressive and selfish, the other kind and dignified. There is, however, no evil stpmother, and there are two daughters, both of them beautiful.
1256 558 254 398 1406 935 1433 668 939 1232 302 1046 1126 1471 1442 1251 1443 1626 888 1113 725 364 818 484 1529 99 323 932 1240 1336 539 872 611