This 1988 Caldecott Honor book was inspired by a folktale Steptoe found in Kaffir Folktales and adapted for his retelling for children ages four to eight. In it, we meet Mufaro's beautiful daughters, Manyara and Nyasha. For those of you who know the language Shona, the names give you clues to their personalities for Mufaro means "happy man," Manyara means "ashamed," and Nyasha mean "mercy."
Truly, Mufaro is a happy man who considers himself fortunate to be the father of the two most beautiful daughters in the land. He considers them both fair in personality as well for while Manyara is cruel and arrogant, those are traits she hides from her father. The younger daughter, Nyasha, is good, gentle, and kind in all things. She works hard and never tattles on her sister's nastiness. Nyasha even manages to befriend a snake whom she calls Nyoka.
Mufaro's two daughters react in different ways to the King's search for a wife - one is aggressive and selfish, the other kind and dignified. The king disguises himself to learn the true nature of both the girls and chooses Nyasha, the kind and generous daughter, to be the queen
