Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti

Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti. written and illustrated by Gerald McDermott. 1973. 48 p. New York: Henry Holt.(0805003118).


Author/Illustrator Website: www.geraldmcdermott.com


Media: acrylic 


Awards and Honors: Caldecott Honor, 1973,



Audience: 4 and up



Annotation: 
Anansi The Spider tells the tale of how the Ashanti trickster was saved by his sons.



Personal Reaction:
Anansi is a mischievous trickster. When he falls into trouble while on a journey, each of his six sons uses his own particular talent to save Anansi. Anansi wants to reward the son who saved him with a beautiful globe of light that he has found, but he can't decide which son is most deserving. Anansi asks Nyame, the Sky God, to help decide, and Nyame lifts the globe high into the sky where it remains for all to see as the moon.


Anansi the Spider, a 1973 Caldecott Honor by Gerald McDermott, is a wonderful adaptation of the traditional African trickster tale. Although there are many stories about Anansi by numerous authors and illustrators, this one remains my favorite. It is particularly suited for young children in ways that other adaptations aren't- the language is simple, but punchy, it is told with an economy of words, and the illustrations are bright and attention-grabbing.


McDermott's illustrations are an absolute joy. His boldly patterned backgrounds reminiscent of African textiles, and simple and bright geometric characters, delight children as well as adults. Children also love seeing how Anansi's sons extricate him from each sticky situation. The action is exciting, but never scary.

For other multicultural folk tales, McDermott's Arrow to the Sun and Raven are also exceptional.