Anansi the Spider

Title: Anansi the Spider

Author: Gerald McDermott

Illustrator: Gerald McDermott

Publisher: Henry Holt and Company (http://us.macmillan.com/holtyoungreaders.aspx)

Publication Date: 1972

Genre: Folktale

Audience: Grades PreK-2

Awards: Caldecott Medal of Honor

Overview: This story relates a tale from the African tribe Ashanti about a spider with six sons. Each son is named after a special talent that he possesses. One day Ashanti gets into trouble on a journey. Each of his sons uses their talent to help rescue him. Ashanti wants to reward the son who saved him with a big light that he finds. Unable to decide which son is the most worthy, he gives it to the god Nyame to keep safe for him. Nyame places the light in the night sky. This story explains the origin of the moon. It's a great multicultural story, which was adapted using "authentic Ashanti language rhythms".

Activity: After reading this story to the class, in pairs, have students write their own "folktale" to explain the existence of something. Have the pairs illustrate their stories attempting to mimic the tribal art from this book. Students can share their work with the rest of the class.

Allison Parsons