Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale

“This is one of my favorite stories. I used to read it every year, as part of a unit on Cinderella stories. It is based on an African folktale. John Steptoe is a very gifted artist, he illustrates the African village so evocatively.” Read more...

The Best Antiracist Books for Kids

Paula Young Shelton, Children's Author

“This book is also about resilience and kindness. It really is a kind of African Cinderella with John Steptoe’s illustrations adding classical beauty to a tale that must have survived many centuries through oral storytelling The comparisons with Cinderella include a magical element to the story, but particularly, the relationship of the two sisters. There is a very mean sister, who is always jealous and bad tempered, and there’s Nyasha, who’s generous and kind spirited. Her kindness, extends to animals which, again, is an interesting element, isn’t it? Because I think of Perrault’s Cinderella, and the little animals who befriend her.” Read more...

The best books on Courage and Kindness for Kids

Beverley Naidoo, Children's Author