Customer Reviews

Coomacka Island: The Story of Spider & Ant

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A wonderful story that teaches children about sharing, working together, and the important of community. I purchased this book for my niece and nephew, and they enjoyed the narrative and the colorful graphics. This story has quickly become one of their favorites. I highly recommend this to anyone with small children (although some adults could relearn some of these lessons).

This is a great story with amazing colorful illustrations. I would recommend it to everyone. It also has a great lesson. I look forward to the next installment of Coomacka Island.

Spider was thirsty and exhausted from the summertime heat. Spider had drunk his entire water supply and was afraid that the well might run dry. He needed water but was too tired to make the long trip to and from the well. He decided to fake an injury and ask his friend Ant to draw water from the well for him. Ant quickly agreed to assist his friend. Will Spider be honest and tell Ant the truth or will Ant work himself to death?

THE STORY OF SPIDER & ANT discusses greed and the effect of misusing friends. My 7-year old read this book over and over coming up with new questions and suggestions about why Spider and Ant acted the way they did. Hooper has created a valuable tool for children and parents to dialogue about problems that come up. THE STORY OF SPIDER & ANT supports cultural diversity by expressing values from the Caribbean. Colorful illustrations with a quick moving storyline keep children's attention while creating practical solutions for everyday issues.

Reviewed By - Deltareviewer
For Real Page Turners

The Story of Spider & Ant, is the first book in a series written by Don P. Hooper and Illustrated by Darnel Degand. Coomacka is a Caribbean Island, where each of the stories take place. In this story, Spider is dishonest to Ant by pretending to be injured; Ant of course believes his friend and recruits the help of his family. This is a story which contains a great lesson hidden underneath, Spider learns the dangers of greed and the consequences of abusing friendships.

This is an endearing and a beautifully written story which contains an important lesson. This is a enchanting, delightful, and stimulating read for young readers, it has bright colors, wonderful graphics & illustrations (Illustrated by Darnel Degand)which are so vivid they will have your children using their imaginations and asking questions.

I look forward to all the adventures to continue, and will honestly being collecting each one for my grandson Caden to enjoy. This is a wonderful book for all young readers and is highly recommended as a must for the children in your life.

Included at the end of the story is a Fun Activities and Words page which offers questions from the story and a glossary of words with pronunciations.

Be sure to check out their web site at[...] both you and your children will love it.

A Definite 5 Star children's book!

The Story of Spider and Ant, is the first book in a series written by Don P. Hooper and Illustrated by Darnel Degand. Coomacka is an uncharted Caribbean Island, where each of the stories takes place. Although the Islands itself is a fictional place, much of the inspiration is based on Afro-Caribbean folklore.In this story, Spider manipulates Ant by being dishonest and pretending to be injured. Ant, believing his friend, enlists his family to help. After working all day for Spider, the ants were tired. However, the selfish Spider had no compassion for the ants nor did he appreciate all their hard work.

Reveling in his deception and trickery, the greedy spider celebrated. However, the truth was soon revealed. Realizing this is not how friends are supposed to interact; the ant sets out to teach the spider a lesson.

This beautifully written story has an important lesson hidden just below the surface. Books such as this, that teach silently, while entertaining loudly are rare finds indeed. In addition to the child's bedside table, this series should be available at every pre-school and daycare, elementary school and library. The rhythmic sounds of the island are beating within the colorful drawings. The expressive eyes of the characters convey genuine emotion. Hooper and Degand have delivered a fun, entertaining story that will keep children wide eyed and interested. And that's exactly what a good children's book should do!

Happy Reading!

COOMACKA ISLAND: The Story of Spider & Ant is the first in what promises to be a lengthy series of books which retell folktales that have been shared among generations of people throughout the Carribean. In this book, Spider tricks his good friend Ant (and his brothers) into working all day retrieving water from a well on his behalf. He convinces Ant he is injured and in desperate need of water, so Ant, being a good friend, tries to help Spider. When Spider gets greedy, and insists on his need for more and more water, Ant and his brothers grow tired, but still continue to try and help. But when Ant discovers he has been deceived, he teaches his "friend" important lessons about greed and friendship.

Don Hooper and Darnel Degand have paired to create a wonderful book that is fun to read, and has cultural and historical merit. The story spotlights the rich cultural heritage of the Caribbean by retelling a story that has been passed on for many years. The resplendent illustrations immediately capture your attention and despite the simplicity of the drawings of Ant and Spider, their depictions always seem to clearly reveal the emotions described in the story. COOMACKA ISLAND: The Story of Spider and Ant endorses moral responsibility and values parents will appreciate, while remaining fun and appealing to young readers.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers