This is a wonderful Anansi story. It's easy to read aloud to kids and it really engages their imaginations and introduces them to the character.
I bought it to supplement the European and Alaskan Native folk and fairy tales in my preschool classroom for our storytelling theme. The kids loved it and it was always in rotation during quiet time and free play. At Home my own children were glad to see it back after the theme, and my 6yo has taken to acting the story out with his stuffed animals.
Anansi the Spider
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– Unabridged
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Anansi, one of the great folk heroes of the world, is saved from a terrible fate by his six sons in this traditional tale from West Africa.
©1972 Gerald McDermott (P)1974 Weston Woods Studios
- Listening Length5 minutes
- Audible release dateMay 24, 2006
- LanguageEnglish
- ASINB000FUG5QS
- VersionUnabridged
- Program TypeAudiobook
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Product details
| Listening Length | 5 minutes |
|---|---|
| Author | Gerald McDermott |
| Narrator | John J. Akar |
| Audible.com Release Date | May 24, 2006 |
| Publisher | Weston Woods Studios |
| Program Type | Audiobook |
| Version | Unabridged |
| Language | English |
| ASIN | B000FUG5QS |
| Best Sellers Rank | #113,056 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals) #15 in Audiobooks on Bugs & Spiders for Children #134 in Folklore (Books) #844 in Children's Bug & Spider Books (Books) |
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4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
849 global ratings
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Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2018
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5 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2016
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I love this story and have given it as gift several times. It is a children’s folklore book that won the Caldecott Honor Book award. The book is based on an Ashanti tale about a spider who has a human life personality and has six sons. Each son has their own ability, and use their individual ability to help their father and ultimately thee family is safe and happy.
I especially liked how each character has its own shape in the illustration, its own special skill, and the lesson that while we are all different we all have something special to contribute.
I especially liked how each character has its own shape in the illustration, its own special skill, and the lesson that while we are all different we all have something special to contribute.
10 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2008
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I am a big fan of the Anansi tales, and the spider's adventures are delightful as well as thought-provoking. For edutainment (educational entertainment) and discussion, I include them in my high school / college level introduction to mythology / humanities survey courses. All ages can enjoy a clever trickster hero who possesses many human qualities, the good and bad--who makes us think about our own deeds and behavior.
In Anansi The Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti, Gerald McDermott retells an Anansi story with warmth, cultural sensitivity, and bright, attention-seizing illustrations. Among the children's books about Anansi, McDermott's efforts stand in a unique place because the text is used sparingly and with great effect, conveying important events only and not burying key ideas in lavish descriptions or dialogues. In this book, the elaborate, geometric illustrations paint the "descriptions" that the text omits.
Features that I like...
The map in the opening that shows the continent of Africa and the country of Ghana. (I'm always happy to see a bit of geography dropped into stories, especially those designed for children.)
The Prologue, which describes the importance of folklore, mythology, and legends. I especially appreciate this statement: "Folklore prepares man for adult life. It places him within his culture."
Rather than beginning the story with the familiar "Once upon a time...," the author uses "Time was..." which is cool! :)
Each of the spider sons in the story is unique in design, appearance, and talent, which makes him easy (and fun) to identify as the tale unfolds. The six sons are See Trouble, Road Builder, River Drinker, Game Skinner, Stone Thrower, and Cushions.
The character of Anansi is rendered with an expressive personality and face while his sons' faces are not shown--just their designs, bodies, and talents. Anansi's face changes emotions based on his experiences, and this would be an excellent teaching element for very young children upon hearing / seeing the story.
Themes & Talking Points the book offers:
Counting, colors, shapes, animals, teamwork, family, intro to Africa [Very Young Children]
Reading; Cause & Effect; Critical Thinking & Response; African Culture. How does Anansi get into and out of trouble? // Each spider is an individual with a specific skill or trait; each spider has a place in the family. What does this suggest about the culture of the Ashanti? // The rescue of Anansi is really a team effort by the sons, but who should get the reward? Does the ending solve this problem? [For children 5-12]
Reading & Design; Symbolism; Critical Analysis; Author Intent; Culture. Why did the author / illustrator choose not to show the faces of the six sons in the story? How does this choice affect the story? How does Anansi's face tell his story? What is the relationship between a son's name and his unique design? In what instances is Anansi's face NOT shown and why? What lessons are taught in this tale? What universal themes are present? Does this book deserve its "honor" designation? [For tweens through college students]
In Anansi The Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti, Gerald McDermott retells an Anansi story with warmth, cultural sensitivity, and bright, attention-seizing illustrations. Among the children's books about Anansi, McDermott's efforts stand in a unique place because the text is used sparingly and with great effect, conveying important events only and not burying key ideas in lavish descriptions or dialogues. In this book, the elaborate, geometric illustrations paint the "descriptions" that the text omits.
Features that I like...
The map in the opening that shows the continent of Africa and the country of Ghana. (I'm always happy to see a bit of geography dropped into stories, especially those designed for children.)
The Prologue, which describes the importance of folklore, mythology, and legends. I especially appreciate this statement: "Folklore prepares man for adult life. It places him within his culture."
Rather than beginning the story with the familiar "Once upon a time...," the author uses "Time was..." which is cool! :)
Each of the spider sons in the story is unique in design, appearance, and talent, which makes him easy (and fun) to identify as the tale unfolds. The six sons are See Trouble, Road Builder, River Drinker, Game Skinner, Stone Thrower, and Cushions.
The character of Anansi is rendered with an expressive personality and face while his sons' faces are not shown--just their designs, bodies, and talents. Anansi's face changes emotions based on his experiences, and this would be an excellent teaching element for very young children upon hearing / seeing the story.
Themes & Talking Points the book offers:
Counting, colors, shapes, animals, teamwork, family, intro to Africa [Very Young Children]
Reading; Cause & Effect; Critical Thinking & Response; African Culture. How does Anansi get into and out of trouble? // Each spider is an individual with a specific skill or trait; each spider has a place in the family. What does this suggest about the culture of the Ashanti? // The rescue of Anansi is really a team effort by the sons, but who should get the reward? Does the ending solve this problem? [For children 5-12]
Reading & Design; Symbolism; Critical Analysis; Author Intent; Culture. Why did the author / illustrator choose not to show the faces of the six sons in the story? How does this choice affect the story? How does Anansi's face tell his story? What is the relationship between a son's name and his unique design? In what instances is Anansi's face NOT shown and why? What lessons are taught in this tale? What universal themes are present? Does this book deserve its "honor" designation? [For tweens through college students]
35 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2021
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Great version of a classic folktale from another country, and illustrations are in keeping with the native country of Ghana. Great read and happy to share it with my kids. Please be mindful that this is told in its original way, so it doesn’t always flow like grammatically correct English. Providing a preview here for you (without giving away the ending).
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great version of a traditional story!
By LFC8 on June 18, 2021
Great version of a classic folktale from another country, and illustrations are in keeping with the native country of Ghana. Great read and happy to share it with my kids. Please be mindful that this is told in its original way, so it doesn’t always flow like grammatically correct English. Providing a preview here for you (without giving away the ending).
By LFC8 on June 18, 2021
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Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2020
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Bought this for my Kindergartener. I remember fondly reading this book as a child myself, and appreciate being able to expose my children to a myriad of cultures through story-telling. This book is my 5 year old's current favorite!
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2020
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I read this book when I was in elementary school and wanted to share it with my boys. They loved it. It’s a simple concept and a solid story.
Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2019
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My two boys LOVED this story 30 years ago, and now my grandson (20 months) loves it, too. Both sets of parents enthusiastically endorse this book! Great story, interesting and distinctive illustrations.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2018
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Excellence in illustration (a bold style in color and line) and clever folktale retelling make this book a classic for children. It is a pleasure to read and reread and easily transfers to a story the family can retell.
Top reviews from other countries
Indigo Violet
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful pages and language
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 25, 2020Verified Purchase
I used this book as part of our minibeast topic in my reception class, and it took off on a life of its own! The children made collages of the beautiful pictures using the same vibrant colours, resulting in an impressive display. The information at the front of the book inspired us to look at aspects of West Africa and to research more about Anansi as a folk hero.
Most definitely one of our favourite books. I also found an animated version online of it with a more authentic narrator than me, which the children loved, as by then they knew the story inside and out.
Most definitely one of our favourite books. I also found an animated version online of it with a more authentic narrator than me, which the children loved, as by then they knew the story inside and out.
One person found this helpful
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Menace
5.0 out of 5 stars
Little Girl Enjoyed It
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 2, 2019Verified Purchase
Good Buy, Fast Delivery Would recommend
One person found this helpful
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I.N
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 4, 2019Verified Purchase
Good book
Elena Mocanu
5.0 out of 5 stars
The book I've ordered it get to me in a very good condition. Thank you!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 17, 2020Verified Purchase
As my daughter is learning from this book at the moment, it was very helpful to get it just in time, in order for her to not get behind with the lecturer. Thank you!
Helen Wakefield
5.0 out of 5 stars
As expected
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 28, 2019Verified Purchase
A bit tatty around the sides but that was expected so I was happy















