Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe

This book is a must for all young African American girl's. I've loved this book ever since I saw it on "Reading Rainbow" as a child,(now the theme song is stuck in my head) . where the story is read by my favorite actress Phylicia Rashad. For whatever reason the book was burned into my memory and I was always delighted whenever it was featured on the show. The story, the illustrations... everything made a huge impression on me. SO, as an adult I was anxious-excited and anxious-apprehensive to find out if the book would still be as wonderful as I remembered. This story is definitely a book for the ages. It's part African fairy tale, part sibling rivalry story, It also teaches kids not to be vain and be selfish, but to be kind and help others. A tale of kindness and selfishness, and their corresponding consequences. A chance for girls to see that beauty goes deeper than the skin. Inner beauty will always out shine outter beauty any day. It also teaches kids not to be vain and be selfish, but to be kind and help others. One of the best books for children ever written. Ever. Complete with a surprise ending, a touch of magic, and a moral message, Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters is a wonderful story, one book that every bookshelf must have. The story emphasizes the true ugliness of getting to the top no matter what, while at the same time showing the beauty of compassion, empathy, and taking the time to make true connections with others and embracing their essence. These are values that we must instill within our children: one cannot be mean to others and prosper on that.Kindness and gentleness can make good things happen in everyones life. People have to prove that they're worthy of someones love and respect.


A beautifully illustrated story where good triumphs over evil. Both sisters must pass several tests , in order to be considered the most beautiful and the most worthy daughter for the prince to marry, their true characters are tested, through these tests, It shows how people can be generous and kind or mean and selfish. It also describes the difference it makes to be kind. In the long run, the nice people get rewards that they deserve. While the ones that are only out for themselves are not rewarded. The moral of the story is, of course, that to be good and kind is far better than to be cold and mean; and how the force of personality can open a new life. Inspired by an African folktale, the two sisters are both beautiful, but the beauty of one, Manyara, is only external. Her sister, Nyasha, is beautiful inside and out. And her goodness doesn't consist just of doing what she's told to do. She's kind to all creatures, even Manyara. Furthermore, the king chooses her to be his queen not because of her beauty, but because he has secretly seen her her kindness and generosity (and her sister's meaness) in action. He chooses a good soul, not just a beautiful face. This African "Cinderella" folktale tells a much truer message than conventional European versions of the story. As the sister of our heroine is also beautiful and intelligent, the central character trait praised here is not beauty or charm, but kindness and compassion.

And as if that weren't enough, the illustrations in this book are sheer magic, breathtaking; they are artwork unto themselves, absolutely beautiful. The details almost look more life-like than photographs. The way lighting is used is amazing, and they are just stunning pictures. This is a book that touched me deeply as a child and still does to this day