Product Description

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. 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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4909 in Books
• Published on: 1997-06-26
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 32 pages

About the Author
John Steptoe was born in New York and wrote and illustrated many successful children's books. His work was often informed by his experiences as a black child living in near-ghetto conditions. He is known for the almost photographic realism of his drawings. John Steptoe died in New York in 1989.

Customer Reviews

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters
Mufaros Beautiful Daughters is a wonderful book with all of the magicalelements required to entrance younger readers. Mufaro has two daughters,both beautiful to look at, but one, Manyara, has a terrible temper and isvery jealous of her gentle, sweet tempered sister. She is careful to hidethis side of her nature challenging her sister, Nyasha, only when herfather is not around. It is set in the past in a small African village.The story takes its characters, Mufaro and his two daughters, from theiridyllic village home, on an eventful journey through the rainforest. Theyare travelling to the neighbouring city (which they have never visitedbefore inspite of its proximity) to present themselves to the King who hasannonced that he is looking for a beautiful wife. Both qualify with theirlooks, but what about their natures? Who would make a better queen and howwould the King decide? What unfolds for them in the city, and the way JohnSteptoe describes it,is truly inspired.
As a teacher I have used thisbook on numerous occasions and it lends itself to much discussion oncultural issues, sibling rivalry, dilemmas facing charaters and predictionof possible endings. My favourite character is the quiet and gentle snakeNyoko, all seeing and with an amazing part to play. We have linked a verysuccessful drama unit to the book and whilst parents reading with a childat home might not want to act out parts they could discuss many of thesesituations with their child.
But the very best part of the book is itsfabulous illustrations. Those not inspired by the story cannot help but becaptivated by the full page, lavishly decorated scenes of the village,Nyasha's garden, the forest and its secrets and the dazling palace in thecity. You will be fascinated by the detail and use of colour anf find morethat you missed the first time when reading again. The illustrations alonecan stimulate endless conversation about the characters, by clever use offacial expression and body language and give clues of events yet tohappen. Don't miss it, it's a treasure on anyone's bookcase.

The African 'Cinderella'
The tale is a version of Cinderella. Mufaro's is a challenging text for some eight year old children and therefore would be more suitable for a shared reading or guided reading activity.I anticipate that the story, set in Africa, might enable the black and bilingual children of Britain to gain confidence and bring forth their knowledge of a range of cultures and pratices to the text and to a classroom.

Mufaro's Beautiul Daughters
Excellent book supports literacy lessons by looking at other cultures.
Children of all ages can understand and relate to the story.