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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
A 1001 CBYMRBYGU.
Mafaru had two beautiful daughters, but one was nice and one was not. The king wanted to find a wife and the two daughters are both sent to meet the king.
That night, when everyone was asleep, Manyara stole quietly out of the village. She had never been in the forest at night before, and she was frightened, but her greed to be the first to appear before the king drove her on. In her hurry, she almost stumbled over a small boy who suddenly appeared, standing in the path.
“Please, said the boy. “I am hungry. Will you give me something to eat?”
“I have brought only enough for myself,” Manyara replied.
“But, please!” said the boy. “I am so very hungry.”
“Out of my way, boy! Tomorrow I will become your queen. How dare you stand in my path!”
Mafaru had two beautiful daughters, but one was nice and one was not. The king wanted to find a wife and the two daughters are both sent to meet the king.
That night, when everyone was asleep, Manyara stole quietly out of the village. She had never been in the forest at night before, and she was frightened, but her greed to be the first to appear before the king drove her on. In her hurry, she almost stumbled over a small boy who suddenly appeared, standing in the path.
“Please, said the boy. “I am hungry. Will you give me something to eat?”
“I have brought only enough for myself,” Manyara replied.
“But, please!” said the boy. “I am so very hungry.”
“Out of my way, boy! Tomorrow I will become your queen. How dare you stand in my path!”
I thought I'd read Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters before, but I don't think I could have forgotten those gorgeous illustrations. What a talent John Steptoe was! I'm definitely going to have to check out some more of his books. The story, based on a folk tale collected in the late 19th century, has a Cinderella feel to it, but it's got it's own special twist. I would have adored this book as a child. Actually, I adore it now. Better late than never, right?
I checked this book out from the Mississippi Library Commission.
I checked this book out from the Mississippi Library Commission.
When the king decides to select a wife from the most beautiful maidens in the land, sisters Nyasha and Manyara are sent to the king by their father. But ill-tempered and selfish Manyara sets out the night before hoping to steal a march on her sister. On her way she meets some very strange characters, but she either ignores them or treats them rudely. The next morning when Nyasha sets out she meets the same characters, but she is generous and polite to them. Which sister will the king choose?
In this gorgeously illustrated book Steptoe retells a Xhosa tale of sibling rivalry and the virtue of compassion.
In this gorgeously illustrated book Steptoe retells a Xhosa tale of sibling rivalry and the virtue of compassion.
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I’ve had this book with me since I was in Elementary school and I’m so happy that I’ve kept it all this time. Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters is a fable, showing children why it is that they should be kind and the consequences of being mean and selfish, not only that but it also shows that little black girls can be and are beautiful.
As an adult I don’t like the aspect of only the girls going through trials to make sure that they were worthy of marriage to the king, but otherwise its a very thoughtful story that I would love for my future children to also experience.
As an adult I don’t like the aspect of only the girls going through trials to make sure that they were worthy of marriage to the king, but otherwise its a very thoughtful story that I would love for my future children to also experience.
My first book for The Reading Rush 2020 readathon. 32 pages. Meets the “read a book outside” and “read a book set on a different continent than yours” challenges.
I vaguely remember this book being featured on Reading Rainbow and have always wanted to read it for myself. This book is set in Zimbabwe, Africa. It is based on folklore and very similar to the Cinderella story with its own unique twists.
There are really no villains in this one, just a flawed sibling character to show the moral of the story. The story itself was solid and while it for the most part follows other Cinderella types of stories, had an interesting twist in the end.
The illustrations are what really makes this book shine—they are practically works of art. The story itself is fine but the stunning illustrations are what really brought it to life for me.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I plan to look for the Reading Rainbow episode it is featured in tomorrow. Highly recommend for the illustrations and moral of the story—kindness. I got this copy from the library but I will definitely be on the lookout for a copy for my own personal library.
I vaguely remember this book being featured on Reading Rainbow and have always wanted to read it for myself. This book is set in Zimbabwe, Africa. It is based on folklore and very similar to the Cinderella story with its own unique twists.
There are really no villains in this one, just a flawed sibling character to show the moral of the story. The story itself was solid and while it for the most part follows other Cinderella types of stories, had an interesting twist in the end.
The illustrations are what really makes this book shine—they are practically works of art. The story itself is fine but the stunning illustrations are what really brought it to life for me.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I plan to look for the Reading Rainbow episode it is featured in tomorrow. Highly recommend for the illustrations and moral of the story—kindness. I got this copy from the library but I will definitely be on the lookout for a copy for my own personal library.
An African folk-retelling formed around the Cinderella trope, Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters tells the story of two young women who are to vie for the affections of their King who seeks a wife. Whilst both sisters are loved by the community, Manyara sees herself a victim and bitter jealousy sinks in. She attempts to ostricise her better-natured sister from her father and the others in the hope of being chosen to be queen. Set a task by powers beyond their understanding or knowledge, both sisters' true natures eventually reveal themselves.
I found Steptoe's illustrations to be beautiful. Inspired by Zimbabwain ruins and local flora and fauna of the region, in wanting to present as accurately as possible, he asked for guidance from the Afro-American Institute. As authentic as it (possibly) was, it was interesting to see a review from the great Errol Lloyd which was not as flattering as I would have expected, calling out on the romanticised depiction of Africa.
I found Steptoe's illustrations to be beautiful. Inspired by Zimbabwain ruins and local flora and fauna of the region, in wanting to present as accurately as possible, he asked for guidance from the Afro-American Institute. As authentic as it (possibly) was, it was interesting to see a review from the great Errol Lloyd which was not as flattering as I would have expected, calling out on the romanticised depiction of Africa.
adventurous
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was one of my childhood favorites! It was a lot of fun being able to experience this again. Also, the art is beautiful!!
I read this in middle school and I adored it! I just found it on goodreads, ugh, I need to read this again!