Author: John Steptol
Illustrator: John Steptol
Publisher: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books;
March 31, 1987
Suitable for: 3 and up
Themes/Topics: Folktale, Places & Culture:
Africa, Honesty, Kindness, Good Character
Opening:
A Long Time Ago, in a certain place in Africa, a small
village lay across a fiver and half a day’s journey from a city where a great
king lived. A man named Mufaro lived in this village with his two daughters, who
were called Manyara and Nyasha. Everyone agreed that Manyara and Nyasha were
very beautiful.
Book Summary:
Both of Mufaro's daughters are beautiful but one is bad
tempered and one is kind. 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. Along the path are many
opportunities to show one's true character. The kind daughter who follows the
same path the next day makes different decisions - with different results and a
surprising ending!
Links to resources:
Create a story map
Scholastic Lesson Plan
Lesson Plan with before and after activities
Discussion points at Learning to Give
Why I like this book:
This is another book from my childhood. What stood out
the most for me were the illustrations and how they captured the imagination and
transported me to Mufaro’s village somewhere in Africa. Naturally, Nyasha was my
favorite character; she was sweet, kind (she let her sister live in the palace with her) and so pretty AND she marries the king in the end!
Who does not like happy endings!?! :D
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