#john steptoe

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale (1987)

Story and Art: John Steptoe

@booksofwonder is proud to present a 30th Anniversary celebration of John Steptoe's MUFARO'S BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS with three award-winning authors & illustrators on Saturday, July 20th from 1-3pm. In 1987, the late and legendary John Steptoe published Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters, a Cinderella tale against the backdrop of Zimbabwe. When published, the New York Times stated, “Mr. Steptoe's … illustrations have a muted brilliance and luminosity.” Award-winning artist John Steptoe’s rich cultural imagery of Africa earned him the Coretta Scott King Award and the 1988 Caldecott Honor. The book also went on to win the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award and was featured on Reading Rainbow. Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters, Baby Says, and Stevie were reissued last year with a new introduction from Mr. Steptoe's daughter, Bweela Steptoe. Books of Wonder will gather with Ms. Steptoe, and award-winning author and illustrators Pat Cummings, Jerry Pinkney, and Tiffany D. Jackson (2019 winner of the John Steptoe New Talent Award). The panel will discuss what has changed in children’s publishing for authors and illustrators of color and the journey ahead. 

Baby Says

John Steptoe

I have always loved books and recently learned I am goin got be and aunt. This means I have an excuse to look at childrens books. Today I found a book that was one of my favorites growing up. Looking at it now as an adult (38f) I am not sure how this book became a staple of my bookshelf in the early 80s.

The book is called “Mufaro’s beautiful daughters. An African tale” by John Steptoe and I have always loved it.

Today while checking out one of the mini free libraries I was so happy to see it. I am sure I still have my copy on my bookshelf, but it has been a long time since I read it. I grabbed this copy to share with the bean once they make an appearance in the world.

As I settled down a read the story again (having all the feels I remember from where the kind daughter who only wanted the best for those she knew was rewarded in the end) I realized in the world we live in now, the fact that this was one of my fave books along with Riki tiki tavi amazes me.

For reference this meme is me. I have a picture that is way too similar. I am the other one and had to point myself out to my friends as being in the picture. (Not the actual girl in the meme, but close enough)

Growing up this wasn’t a thing of note. But with the last few years and the turmoil in our country, I am starting to understand why I just don’t get it.

There are cultures that are not mine. They have just as much to contribute to society and who I am as anything else. As a kid all I knew was it is a great story I relate to.

I can let it go with Elsa, I am as special as Mirabel, I am as worthy as Nyasia. I am the princess my dad called me, and the sting independent woman he raised me to be.

Representation in media is important. I know I am lucky that growing up I saw myself in the tv shows, the movies, everywhere. I also know that seeing my interracial extended family helped have a better view of the world and society. (If you think we haven’t had conversations where they look to me wanted to know why guys want to hook up with my baby cousins because they are “exotic” you would be very mistaken)

I know this is a long and pointed post for the girl that normally post pictures of a pink bear (say hi Clarice) but it was something that in uncertain times stood out to me as interesting. I admit i live a lot through books and always have. To realize that from a young age these books have been more diverse than I would expect is surprising. To have this book be a cherished memory that I have kept to adulthood is maybe surprising.

That as an adult realizing this was one of my favorite books, to the point that I held on to it and kept it in my library for almost 40 years ( it will make it there and beyond I am sure) is shocking and had me thinking how aware and multicultural I am scares me. I don’t know anything about African culture. It isn’t something I have fully been exposed too. I have a book. One fairytale.

I have a very international family with cousins who race racism on a daily basis, and I only know a fraction of what they face that they share with me.