The story starts with mufaro, a man with two beautiful daughters whom he loves equally. Mufaros 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. Anyway, with that said, this weeks mentor text is another tale an african tale that i love titled mufaros beautiful daughters by john steptoe. Both of mufaros daughters are beautiful but one is bad tempered.
Both are beautiful, but one is selfish and badtempered and the other is kind. Awardwinning artist john steptoes rich cultural imagery of africa earned him the coretta scott king award for mufaros beautiful daughters. Mufaros beautiful daughters was inspired by an african folktale. When the king decided to take a wife and invited the most worthy and beautiful daughters in the land to appear before him, mufaro declared proudly that only the king. The story of jumping mouse in 1985 and mufaros beautiful daughters in 1988. Nyasha was kind and considerate as well as beautiful, but everyone except mufaro knew that manyara was selfish, badtempered, and spoiled. 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. 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. He is best known for mufaros beautiful daughters, which was acknowledged by literary critics as a breakthrough in african history and culture. In his twentyyear career, john steptoe illustrated sixteen picture books, twelve of which he also wrote. Mufaro was a king of a small village who had two beautiful daughters, manyara and nyasha. I bought this book because its really hard to find childrens books where there are black characters. 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. Everyone agreed that his two daughters were very beautiful. The american library association named two of his books caldecott honor books, a prestigious award for childrens book illustration. The book also went on to win the boston globehorn book award.
The first daughter, manyara, is badtempered and very selfish. 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. John steptoe september 14, 1950 august 28, 1989 was an author and illustrator for childrens books dealing with aspects of the africanamerican experience. If you have students in your class from africa, invite them to share where they are from and show you on the map or globe. 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.
It has some elements of the classic grimms version of cinderella. 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. Manyara, an illtempered girl, is jealous of nyasha and vows to be queen and have nyasha as her. 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. Mufaros beautiful daughters by john steptoe a long time ago, in a. Inspired by a story in george mccall theals 1895 collection, kaffir folk tales apologies everyone, i did not name the book, john steptoes 1987 picturebook, mufaros 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. Yet the story is inspired by an original folktale from 1895. It is the tale of two very different daughters who learn the ills of pride, selfishness, and fierce competitiveness. 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.
Nyasha is saddened by her sisters anger, but goes on about her business of tending a garden, singing even more sweetly when the pretty. Mufaros two beautiful daughters, one badtempered, one kind and sweet, go before the king, who is choosing a wife. Mufaros beautiful daughters by john steptoe scholastic. Theals kaffir folktales, interestingly this story has similar characteristics to the american cinderella story. Tell students that the covers show mufaros two daughters. Mufaros beautiful daughters lesson plan scholastic. Nyasha is kind and considerate, but manyara is selfish and spoiled. This oversize edition 14 34 by 17 58 inches makes it easy to share the book in a library or classroom. 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. Since this book is considered to be an african tale some pictures may also be folk art. Multicultural, content course, international, award winner age range. Perfect for introducing variants to the cinderella story as well as the history, culture, and. 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.
John steptoe was born in new york and wrote and illustrated many successful childrens books. His work was often informed by his experiences as a black child. 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. Mufaros beautiful daughters is the story of a king who is looking for a wife. A man named mufaro lived in this village with his two daughters, who were called manyara and nyasha. See more support materials for mufaros beautiful daughters. With beautiful illustrations, mufaros beautiful daughters big book, 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. The book mufaros beautiful daughters by john steptoe, computer.
Donate your contribution will help us to provide free books and literacy resources to children across the nation. Steptoe twice received the coretta scott king award. Mufaros beautiful daughters by john steptoe lothrop themes. Mufaro s 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. 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. Badtempered manyara taunts nyasha behind mufaros back. Mufaros beautiful daughters childrens lit classics. Mufaros beautiful daughters is a caldecott honor book by john steptoe and it is. Mufaros beautiful daughters teaching children philosophy. Mufaros beautiful daughters by robin miles, other format. Mufaros two daughters react in different ways to the kings search for a wife one is aggressive and selfish, the other kind and dignified. Mufaros beautiful daughters is about two sisters, manyara and nyasha, who are. Inspired by a kafir folk tale published in an 1895 collection, caldecott honor winner steptoe has reset the classic cinderella pattern in an ancient zimbabwe city.
Explain that the book students will read is titled mufaros beautiful daughters. Whole class, on rug 6 when finished reading, discuss the story. The king tests the daughters without their knowledge to. One daughter, nyasha is kind and gentle while the other daughter, manyara was usually in a bad mood and. 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. This caldecott medalwinning african tale evokes the cinderella story, as well as the traditional theme of good triumphing over evil. Mufaros beautiful daughters by john steptoe synopsis. Mufaros beautiful daughters, john steptoe, is an african cinderella story. Story study title page for students before reading worksheet author resear. Mufaros beautiful daughters john steptoe hardcover. A caldecott honor and reading rainbow book, this memorable retelling of. Steptoe illustrated 15 more picture books, ten of which he also wrote. 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. Mufaros beautiful daughters this is a story study for mufaros beautiful daughters by john steptoe. Whenever her fathers back was turned shed tease her sister. 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. 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. After hearing mufaros beautiful daughters, students will be able to create a story map. Ask students to note how beauty is treated in this story. Word reaches them that the king of their land is searching for. Mufaros beautiful daughters lesson plans and teaching resources mufaros beautiful daughters scroll down on the page for crosscurricular lesson ideas. Mufaros beautiful daughters by john steptoe picture. Mufaro s beautiful daughters is about two sisters, manyara and nyasha, who are outwardly very beautiful, but who have completely opposite personalities.
Manyara is selfish and assertive, while nyasha is selfless and charitable. Have students illustrate cards one day and map the next. Mufaros beautiful daughters is an african tale that steptoe was inspired to write based on g. This african tale evokes the cinderella story, as well as the traditional theme of good triumphing over evil. Share with students that folktales are stories handed down from one generation to another by word of mouth. Nyasha is kind and considerate, but everyoneexcept mufaroknows that manyara is selfish and badtempered. Mufaros beautiful daughters audiobook by john steptoe. The book won many awards for steptoes illustrations, and went on. Mufaros beautiful daughters lesson plan and activities mufaros beautiful daughters is an african folktale from zimbabwe, a country in africa. This mufaros beautiful daughters story study includes the following.
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