Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe

A beautiful book, deserving a permanent place in library collections. Kirkus Star review

"A man named Muraro lived in his village with his two daughters, who were called Manyaya and Nyasha. Everyone agreed Manyaya and Nyasha were very beautiful."

The twin girls might look beautiful but only one has a kind heart. Manyara boasts to her sister that when she becomes the queen Nyasha will be her servant. She even says these terrible words: "I'm certain that father loves you best. But when I am a queen, everyone will know that your silly kindness is only weakness."

Nyasha does not let these harsh words affect her. She tends her garden, sings over her work and even befriends a small garden snake. 

One morning a messenger arrives - the time has come for the King to select a wife. Manyaya is sure she will be picked so she sets off before everyone else is awake. On the way several things happen. She meets a boy who asks for food - she yells at him and moves on. She meets an old woman who tries to give her advice. As with the young boy, she scolds the woman and rushes away. The old woman has told Manyaya not to laugh at the trees and to be polite to the man who has his head under his arm. Of course she disregards this advice. 

Nyasha makes the same journey but her actions are the opposite. She shares food with the young boy; she listens to the old woman and shares some sunflower seeds with her. On arrival at the city her sister rushes out to warn her about a great monster with five heads, but when Nyasha enters the chamber she finds her garden snake - and then watches as he transforms into the King.

If this story feels familiar you might be thinking of Cinderella. My friend from Kinderbookswitheverything has a fantastic Pinterest collection of Cinderella stories. 

Your school or public library are such important places. Yes they will have many of the newest books and the popular books but they should also have older books - treasures like this one from 1988. I picked up my copy at a recent charity book sale for just AUS$2. I did have this book in my former school library so I might gift this one to a different school. This book is still available but it costs between AUS$35 and AUS$50.

Awards for Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters:

• Caldecott Honor Book
• Parents' Choice Silver Honor
• Horn Book Fanfare
• Boston Globe–Horn Book Award
• Coretta Scott King Award (Illustrator)
• Reading Rainbow Book
• ALA Notable Children’s Book

Bookseller blurb: Inspired by a traditional African folktale, this is the story of Mufaro, who is proud of his two beautiful daughters. Nyasha is kind and considerate, but everyone-except Mufaro-knows that Manyara is selfish and bad-tempered. 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 only one can be queen. Who will the king choose

John Steptoe (1950 - 1989) was also born in Brooklyn, but unfortunately his life was short, as he died when he was only 38. He began his first book (Stevie) when he was only sixteen. All of his published work (which included 15 picture books in 20 years) deals with the African American experience, issues and concerns. Very few authors and illustrators were African Americans at that time and he helped to change the stereotypical view of his people. He used his own family as models for the characters in his best known and Caldecott Honor book Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale. This beautiful book is a retelling of the Cinderella story set in ancient Africa among the ruins of Zimbabwe. Kinderbookswitheverything

Betsy Bird and her sister talk about Mufaro's Beautiful Sisters on their podcast episode 8.

Here is the cover of the paperback edition:

Companion books:

The Talking eggs

The Girl with a brave heart