Why Leopard Has Spots: Dan Stories from Liberia (World Stories) [Paperback]

Margaret H. Lippert (Author), Won-Ldy Paye (Author), Ashley Bryan (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: World Stories

THIS EDITION IS INTENDED FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. A collection of Dan stories from Liberia, including ""Why Leopard has Spots,"" ""The Hunger Season,"" and ""Spider Flies to the Feast

--This text refers to the School & Library Binding edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-Paye is a tlo ker mehn from the Dan ethnic group of Liberia; his family's traditional role is to tell stories. He and Lippert have collected six traditional Dan stories. Told in a forthright, nonliterary style, the lively retellings make effective use of colloquial language. Several of the stories feature Spider the trickster, who may be known to kids as Anansi (or Ananse) from other traditional tales. Readers learn "Why Spider Has a Big Butt," what happens when he refuses to do his part on the village farm, and how his greediness is punished. Each selection is preceded by one of Bryan's appealing black-and-white linoleum prints. Endnotes are especially interesting: Paye's description of how he learned each tale is full of information about Dan culture and how stories are a part of the people's daily lives. A map and brief history of Liberia are also included. A good source for storytellers and teachers and a lot of fun for children, especially those who already like Anansi.
Sally Bates Goodroe, Harris County Public Library, Houston, TX
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 3^-6. The title story and others in this inviting collection are sure to ring a familiar bell with lovers of African folklore. These lively how-and-why tales with their mostly gentle morals are universal in their appeal and offer traditional mainstays of the lore, such as the lazy, crafty spider and the hungry crocodile. Lovers of Anansi tales will find very similar stories of a lazy spider scheming to get out of working or trying to attend two feasts at the same time. Familiar, too, are Bryan's striking black-and-white linoleum-cut prints that show the power of the eagle's wings and the strong, graceful movement of the crocodile's tail. Together, the art and words make rousing tales for new readers and the initiated. Denia Hester --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Fulcrum Publishing; 1 edition (March 9, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155591991X
• ISBN-13: 978-1555919917
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,835 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #53 in Books > Children's Books > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Multicultural

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautifully written collection of Liberian stories, December 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Why Leopard Has Spots: Dan Stories from Liberia (Hardcover)

This book kept me captivated and entranced with its vivid folktales. My favorite story is "Spider Flies to the Feast." The block prints by acclaimed artist Ashley Bryan are a beautiful touch. This book is a treasure and portrays Liberian culture very vividly. I highly recommend it for readers of all ages.

5.0 out of 5 stars why leopard has spots, May 16, 2009

By 

Shauna Kleemeyer - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Why Leopard Has Spots: Dan Stories from Liberia (World Stories) (Paperback)

This is a great book of short stories. I had the pleasure of having Meg Lippert as an instructor during a college course and love all her stories. These stories are great for telling to any age group.