Folklore Book Review: Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale

"I will be pleased to serve you. But why do you say such things? You are clever and strong and beautiful. Why are you so unhappy?" - Nyasha

Author/Illustrator: John Steptoe

Publisher: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books

Copyright Date: 1987

Number of Pages: 32 pages

Reading Level: Pre-K, Grades 1-3

Genre: Folklore
Awards: Caldecott Honor (1988), Coretta Scott King Award for Illustrator (1988)

Cost: $8.55 (Amazon)

Rating: ★★★★★

 

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters is a retelling of the Cinderella story, and it is based on a traditional African folktale. Mufaro has two beautiful daughters, Manyara and Nyasha, both of whom he believes are worthy of marrying the king. When the king decides he wants to get married, both girls go to meet him. They leave at different times, but take the same path; and along that path, they both make small decisions that have a major impact on their future. Two beautiful girls, but only one will become queen - who will the king choose?
 

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters tells a captivating story based on the theme of good versus evil. This book could be used in the classroom while discussing folktales and/or the theme of books. For this type of lesson, the students could come up with a theme, then find a folktale that corresponds to it and write their own version of the story. Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters demonstrates how folktales can be retold and have the same theme, but a new story, which would make it a great book to use while discussing folktales and/or themes. 
 

Book Rating:

	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★	★★	★	COMMENTS
PLOT	Plot is well developed with all five elements of a good plot structure (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution).	Plot is developed, but lacking one of the five elements of plot structure.	This book has a decent plot, but is lacking two of the five elements of plot structure.	This book has a weak plot that is lacking three of the five elements of plot structure.	This book does not have a defined plot, and is lacking four or more of the five elements of plot structure.	★★★★★ I give Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters five stars for its plot because, using the five elements of good plot structure, it tells a compelling story about good and evil.
CHARACTER	The characters are well developed, have personality, and are believable.	Characters are well rounded, but lack in personality or they are not totally believable.	Characters are somewhat developed, and lack in personality or they are not totally believable.	The characters are underdeveloped, lack in depth and are not believable.	The characters are not developed   so the readers cannot connect to the book.	★★★★★ I give Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters five stars for its characters. Both Manyara and Nyasha are well developed throughout the book, which allows the reader to see what their personalities are like and that they are believable characters.
PACING	The story flows freely and is not rushed or slow.	The story moves freely for the most part, but there are a few spots where it feels rushed or slow.	The story moves freely for about half of the book, but the other half is rushed or slow.	The story often moves too fast or too slow and does not move freely.	There is no pacing in the story, which makes it difficult to read.	★★★★★ I give Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters five stars for pacing because the story moves freely and has no parts that feel slow or rushed. The good plot structure and story line make the reader want to continue reading to find out what happens in this book.

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