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Master Man: A Tall Tale of Nigeria
Shadusa was STRONG. When he gathered firewood, he hauled twice as much as anyone else. When he hunted, he carried home two antelopes at once.
One day he said to his wife, Shettu, "Just look at these muscles. I must be the STRONGEST man in the world. From now on, just call me Master Man...
"Quit your foolish boasting," Shettu replied. "No matter how strong you are, there will always be someone stronger. And someday you may meet him!"
In this traditional Hausa tale of superheroes, Shadusa must learn a lesson harder than his own muscles. Is he the ultimate Master Man?
One day he said to his wife, Shettu, "Just look at these muscles. I must be the STRONGEST man in the world. From now on, just call me Master Man...
"Quit your foolish boasting," Shettu replied. "No matter how strong you are, there will always be someone stronger. And someday you may meet him!"
In this traditional Hausa tale of superheroes, Shadusa must learn a lesson harder than his own muscles. Is he the ultimate Master Man?
32 pages, Library Binding
First published December 26, 2000
2 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Aaron Shepard
102 books41 followersAaron Shepard is the author of many books, stories, and scripts for young people, as well as professional books and resources for writers and educators. He has also worked professionally in both storytelling and reader's theater, as a performer, director, and teacher trainer. Aaron's lively and meticulous retellings of folktales and other traditional literature have found homes with more than a dozen children's book publishers, large and small, and with the world's top children's literary magazines, winning him honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Folklore Society. His extensive Web site, visited by thousands of teachers and librarians each week, is known internationally as a prime resource for folktales, storytelling, and reader's theater, while his stories and scripts have been featured in textbooks from publishers worldwide, including Scholastic, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, SRA, The College Board, Pearson Education, National Geographic, Oxford University Press, Barron's, Hodder Education, and McGraw-Hill.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 9, 2020
Shadusa thinks that he is the strongest man in the world in this Hausa folktale from Nigeria, telling his wife Shettu that he should be called 'Master Man.' She warns him about the dangers of boasting, but to no avail. When she brings him news of another man already called 'Master Man,' Shadusa sets out to challenge him for the right to the name. Little does he realize the trouble he is getting into, confronting a terrible giant in the process, and only escaping because the giant is confronted by another of his own size...
According to author Aaron Shepard, his retelling of Master Man: A Tall Tale of Nigeria is based upon a number of sources, including R. Sutherland Rattray's Hausa Folk-lore, Customs, Proverbs, etc. 2 and Frank Edgar's Hausa Tales and Traditions . The story here is humorous, offering both a cautionary tale about the dangers of boasting, and a pourquoi tale explaining the origin of thunder. The accompanying artwork from David Wisniewski, who won a Caldecott Medal for his Golem , is done in cut paper, and is vividly colorful. Although I did appreciate their artistry, somehow the illustrations here weren't as appealing as in some of Wisniewski's other titles, and I didn't care for the design of the book, with its use of panels, and different colored text and speech bubbles. Aesthetic tastes vary of course, so I'd still recommend this one to young folklore enthusiasts, and to readers interested in Hausa stories.
According to author Aaron Shepard, his retelling of Master Man: A Tall Tale of Nigeria is based upon a number of sources, including R. Sutherland Rattray's Hausa Folk-lore, Customs, Proverbs, etc. 2 and Frank Edgar's Hausa Tales and Traditions . The story here is humorous, offering both a cautionary tale about the dangers of boasting, and a pourquoi tale explaining the origin of thunder. The accompanying artwork from David Wisniewski, who won a Caldecott Medal for his Golem , is done in cut paper, and is vividly colorful. Although I did appreciate their artistry, somehow the illustrations here weren't as appealing as in some of Wisniewski's other titles, and I didn't care for the design of the book, with its use of panels, and different colored text and speech bubbles. Aesthetic tastes vary of course, so I'd still recommend this one to young folklore enthusiasts, and to readers interested in Hausa stories.
April 26, 2017
i liked when he saw the master man he ran for his life
February 17, 2024
The origin of this story is the Hausa area of northwestern Nigeria. It is a region with a long history of trading throughout the continent that predates by centuries the European colonization. The character known as “Mijin-Maza” or “Namji-Mijin-Maza” is one that appears in many of the ancient stories. This book is a retelling of the story, and the author uses the name “Master Man.” Other translations have also been “A-Man-Among-Men,” “Manly-Man” and “Superman.”
More than one man self-proclaims himself as being “Master Man” and they are very loud and emphatic about that claim. After some boasting and challenging, it comes down to two mighty men fighting it out for the title. Neither one will quit, and the force of their efforts raises them both up into the sky. They continue their battle on occasion to this day, which is the source of the thunder that we hear during a storm.
The mighty and very large male hero is a character that is widely found in cultures around the world. Two obvious examples are Thor of Norse mythology, Heracles in the Greek worldview and Paul Bunyan in the American logging country. This story is one that exposes the reader to a similar character from another ancient culture that is not often the subject of myth examination. It is written at the level of a late elementary school child.
More than one man self-proclaims himself as being “Master Man” and they are very loud and emphatic about that claim. After some boasting and challenging, it comes down to two mighty men fighting it out for the title. Neither one will quit, and the force of their efforts raises them both up into the sky. They continue their battle on occasion to this day, which is the source of the thunder that we hear during a storm.
The mighty and very large male hero is a character that is widely found in cultures around the world. Two obvious examples are Thor of Norse mythology, Heracles in the Greek worldview and Paul Bunyan in the American logging country. This story is one that exposes the reader to a similar character from another ancient culture that is not often the subject of myth examination. It is written at the level of a late elementary school child.
March 2, 2016
Title: Master Man A Tall Tale of Nigeria
Author: Aasron Shepard
Illustrator: David Wisniewski
Genre: Non-European Folktale
Theme(s): Machoism
Opening line/sentence: Once there was a man who was strong.
Brief Book Summary: There is a man, Shadusa, who thought that he was the strongest man and insists that his wife, Shettu, refer to him as “Master Man”. However, one day Shettu was out trying to get water from the well met the read “Master Man”’s wife and child. Shadusa did not believe there was another man who is stronger than him so he went to find him. When he saw “Master Man” for himself Shadusa knew that he himself was much weaker than the real “Master Man”. Shadusa tries escaping from the real “Master Man’s” home when he smells him and begins to chase Shadusa. Along the way he runs into a few groups of people who say they cannot help since “Master Man” is way to strong to be stopped. Until, Shadusa bumbs into another man who is just as strong as “Master Man” and also refers to himself as “Master Man”. These two “Master Mans” begin fighting and are so equal in power that they end up rising into the clouds where they do rest but when they do end up fighting again the noise they make is now called thunder.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Shepard, Aaron Master Man: A Tall Tale of Nigeria
32 pp. HarperCollins 2001. ISBN 0-688-13783-0 LE ISBN 0-688-13784-9 (1) K-3 Illustrated by David Wisniewski. Shepard recounts the exploits of a boastful he-man named Shadusa who meets his match--and then some. The superhero stature of the characters translates to the deftly executed comic-book form. The frame-by-frame progression underlines the comic timing of the story as well as the supense. This fresh, funny, and perfectly paced narrative screams story hour, while the hugely appealing comic-book design will win reluctant readers.
Folktales/Myths/and Legends; Folklore--Nigeria; Multicultural books--Blacks; Weather--Thunderstorms; Cartoons and comics; Tall tales
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Kate McDowell (The Bulletin of the Center for Children s Books, February 2001 (Vol. 54, No. 6)) In this retelling of a Hausa tale, Shadusa, a man who calls himself Master Man because he is so strong, finds that he is unable to pull a heavy bucket up from the well. A woman at the well insists that her baby try, and, when the baby easily pulls up the bucket, Shadusa is shocked; the woman says he shouldn't be-her husband is Master Man. Infuriated that another man dare use his nickname, Shadusa goes home with the woman to "teach that fellow a lesson." As he approaches the hut, Shadusa sees great piles of bones, which the woman says are the bones of the elephants her husband eats. The earth shakes as Master Man comes home, carrying a dead elephant on his shoulders. Shadusa tries to run away, but Master Man sees him and chases him, until Master Man runs into another giant man who also calls himself Master Man, and the two begin to wrestle. The cut-paper illustration shows the forms of the two wrestling men becoming the gray clouds of a thunderstorm, and the text explains that the sound of their wrestling is the noise we call thunder. Wisniewski's illustrations blend his trademark paper collage with conventions from comic books, including multiple frames on some pages, word balloons, and enlarged onomatopoeic words (Master Man's angry "ROAR" takes up nearly half a page). The modern language of Shepard's text (Shadusa says, "You weren't fooling. I've got to get out of here!") complements the comic book format, retelling this Hausa tale from Nigeria as an action adventure. Shepard and Wisniewski have created a book with wide appeal, and, although the pictures are too detailed for storytimes, reluctant readers will take this title by storm. Review Code: R -- Recommended. (c) Copyright 2001, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2001, HarperCollins, 32p, $15.95 and $15.89. Grades 3-6.
(PUBLISHER: Lothrop Lee & Shepard Books (New York:), PUBLISHED: 2000.)
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both of these reviews mention that this book is a good book and I agree. The only aspect of the second review I disagree with is that this book’s illustrations are to detailed for it to be read during storytime. I think that the illustrations are perfect for storytime because they reflect the text in the book well. I truly agree with everything the first review is saying because it touches on the comic book like illustrations will win over children. Also I agree that this book is funny and perfectly paced. I however, do think that both reviews could have spoken about their opinions more. On the other hand,
Evaluation of Literary Elements: I think that this book has a great plot that is well paced for readers. It has just enough suspense but doe not leave the readers hanging and explains everything so well. I also think that children will be able to relate to this book since this book is teaching a life lesson of you may think you are the best but there is someone out there who is always better so do not boast about it. I also think that since this story contains how thunder became a thing that children will take a lot of interest in that element of the story.
Consideration of Instructional Application: In my classroom I would definitely use this book! I think it is a great book to read aloud to your class. It contains the perfect amount of humor along with seriousness of the moral of the story. I would use this in my classroom to read to children then make a lesson out of it for example, possibly read a handful of myths, explain what myths are and then have children come up with their own myths of how things in our world came about just like the thunder in this book.
Author: Aasron Shepard
Illustrator: David Wisniewski
Genre: Non-European Folktale
Theme(s): Machoism
Opening line/sentence: Once there was a man who was strong.
Brief Book Summary: There is a man, Shadusa, who thought that he was the strongest man and insists that his wife, Shettu, refer to him as “Master Man”. However, one day Shettu was out trying to get water from the well met the read “Master Man”’s wife and child. Shadusa did not believe there was another man who is stronger than him so he went to find him. When he saw “Master Man” for himself Shadusa knew that he himself was much weaker than the real “Master Man”. Shadusa tries escaping from the real “Master Man’s” home when he smells him and begins to chase Shadusa. Along the way he runs into a few groups of people who say they cannot help since “Master Man” is way to strong to be stopped. Until, Shadusa bumbs into another man who is just as strong as “Master Man” and also refers to himself as “Master Man”. These two “Master Mans” begin fighting and are so equal in power that they end up rising into the clouds where they do rest but when they do end up fighting again the noise they make is now called thunder.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Shepard, Aaron Master Man: A Tall Tale of Nigeria
32 pp. HarperCollins 2001. ISBN 0-688-13783-0 LE ISBN 0-688-13784-9 (1) K-3 Illustrated by David Wisniewski. Shepard recounts the exploits of a boastful he-man named Shadusa who meets his match--and then some. The superhero stature of the characters translates to the deftly executed comic-book form. The frame-by-frame progression underlines the comic timing of the story as well as the supense. This fresh, funny, and perfectly paced narrative screams story hour, while the hugely appealing comic-book design will win reluctant readers.
Folktales/Myths/and Legends; Folklore--Nigeria; Multicultural books--Blacks; Weather--Thunderstorms; Cartoons and comics; Tall tales
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Kate McDowell (The Bulletin of the Center for Children s Books, February 2001 (Vol. 54, No. 6)) In this retelling of a Hausa tale, Shadusa, a man who calls himself Master Man because he is so strong, finds that he is unable to pull a heavy bucket up from the well. A woman at the well insists that her baby try, and, when the baby easily pulls up the bucket, Shadusa is shocked; the woman says he shouldn't be-her husband is Master Man. Infuriated that another man dare use his nickname, Shadusa goes home with the woman to "teach that fellow a lesson." As he approaches the hut, Shadusa sees great piles of bones, which the woman says are the bones of the elephants her husband eats. The earth shakes as Master Man comes home, carrying a dead elephant on his shoulders. Shadusa tries to run away, but Master Man sees him and chases him, until Master Man runs into another giant man who also calls himself Master Man, and the two begin to wrestle. The cut-paper illustration shows the forms of the two wrestling men becoming the gray clouds of a thunderstorm, and the text explains that the sound of their wrestling is the noise we call thunder. Wisniewski's illustrations blend his trademark paper collage with conventions from comic books, including multiple frames on some pages, word balloons, and enlarged onomatopoeic words (Master Man's angry "ROAR" takes up nearly half a page). The modern language of Shepard's text (Shadusa says, "You weren't fooling. I've got to get out of here!") complements the comic book format, retelling this Hausa tale from Nigeria as an action adventure. Shepard and Wisniewski have created a book with wide appeal, and, although the pictures are too detailed for storytimes, reluctant readers will take this title by storm. Review Code: R -- Recommended. (c) Copyright 2001, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2001, HarperCollins, 32p, $15.95 and $15.89. Grades 3-6.
(PUBLISHER: Lothrop Lee & Shepard Books (New York:), PUBLISHED: 2000.)
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both of these reviews mention that this book is a good book and I agree. The only aspect of the second review I disagree with is that this book’s illustrations are to detailed for it to be read during storytime. I think that the illustrations are perfect for storytime because they reflect the text in the book well. I truly agree with everything the first review is saying because it touches on the comic book like illustrations will win over children. Also I agree that this book is funny and perfectly paced. I however, do think that both reviews could have spoken about their opinions more. On the other hand,
Evaluation of Literary Elements: I think that this book has a great plot that is well paced for readers. It has just enough suspense but doe not leave the readers hanging and explains everything so well. I also think that children will be able to relate to this book since this book is teaching a life lesson of you may think you are the best but there is someone out there who is always better so do not boast about it. I also think that since this story contains how thunder became a thing that children will take a lot of interest in that element of the story.
Consideration of Instructional Application: In my classroom I would definitely use this book! I think it is a great book to read aloud to your class. It contains the perfect amount of humor along with seriousness of the moral of the story. I would use this in my classroom to read to children then make a lesson out of it for example, possibly read a handful of myths, explain what myths are and then have children come up with their own myths of how things in our world came about just like the thunder in this book.
December 1, 2025
Master Man: A Tall Tale of Nigeria by Aaron Shepard is a fun and engaging story that highlights Nigerian culture through humor and exaggeration. I could use this in class to introduce students to folktales from around the world and explore cultural storytelling traditions.
May 6, 2017
Loved the illustrations by David Wisniewski!
December 6, 2017
its a nice story.
November 20, 2022
Love David Wisniewski’s illustrations. Good story with a moral making it more a fable than a folktale.
April 18, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. Comic book style panels and bright sharp lined artwork made it easy to follow along with. Although the tale is not European in origin (meaning it will be new to a lot of readers) it is a simple and easy to follow tale with echoes of Jack in the Beanstalk and a strong "natural phenomenon explanation"
I had actually read the readers theater version of this before the book, and I enjoyed the book and its art much better - so I definitely suggest reading the book with students and THEN doing the readers theater piece!
I had actually read the readers theater version of this before the book, and I enjoyed the book and its art much better - so I definitely suggest reading the book with students and THEN doing the readers theater piece!
November 3, 2011
So much fun to read! Boys will get a kick out of this one in which a strong man thinks he is the strongest of all until a baby proves that he is much stronger! But how strong could that baby's father possibly be?
March 21, 2017
Today's children are very familiar with the idea of "super" persons. Here is a wonderful story about the consequences of bragging and exaggeration. Kids love the suspense and the satisfying conclusion.
August 30, 2016
I chose this book because i like uncommon stories or things i haven't read about before. This book was a fresh take on the negative effects of overconfidence. The illustration of the book is very well done.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2017
Re-read with Adrian as he's on a tall tale stint right now. Still great!
April 10, 2015
Absolutely awful design and illustrations. Like a comic book, but without any standardized conventions of panels, etc. Simplistic and unsubtle drawings.
December 18, 2010
Cut paper, three-dimensional
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews