Anansi Does the Impossible!: An Ashanti Tale

by Verna Aardema, Lisa Desimini (Illustrator)

Long ago, when the earth was set down and the sky was lifted up, all the folktales were owned by the Sky God. And Anansi, that cunning little spider, was determined to buy them back. The payment? A live python, one real fairy, and forty-seven stinging hornets. Not such a high price to pay for all the folktales on earth. But how will Anansi find these hard to come bgy items? It sounds impossible! There's only one way to find the help he needs -- Anansi must go to his clever wife, Aso. But will she be smart enough to outwit the Sky God and get the stories back? This humorous retelling of an Ashanti tale brings Anansi together with his better half in an ingenious scheme that will delight readers of all ages!

Genres: Picture Books, Africa, Fiction, Childrens, Folk Tales, Folklore, Fairy Tales

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1997

About the author

A prolific American children's author and teacher, Verna Norberg Aardema Vugteveen - more commonly known as Verna Aardema - was born in 1911 in New Era, Michigan. She was educated at Michigan State University, and taught grade school from 1934-1973. She also worked as a journalist for the Muskegon Chronicle from 1951-1972. In 1960 she published her first book, the collection of stories, Tales from the Story Hat. She went on to write over thirty more books, most of them folkloric retellings. Her picture-book, Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears, won co-illustrators Leo and Diane Dillon a Caldecott Medal. Aardema was married twice, and died in 2000 in Fort Myers, Florida. (source: Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Anansi stories and "Just So Stories" and Brer Rabbit stories when I was a kid--and, really, they are all related. It's been a long time since I read such stories, but as I'm reading "Anansi Boys" right now, I was inspired to read more of the Anansi stories in picture book form. I'm grateful to my friend Abigail for recommending two excellent books for starters, "Anansi Does the Impossible" and "Anansi Finds a Fool" both by Verna Aardema.

In this tale, Anansi has the form of a spider and we learn how Anansi was able to buy the stories from the Sky God. The Sky God agrees to give Anansi the stories if Anansi can bring him a python, a fairy, and forty-seven hornets. Always confident (on the outside, that is!), Anansi agrees but worries privately to his wife fearing the task is impossible. But, Anansi has a very wise wife--and she helps him figure out a way to complete the tasks.

This story is delightfully told with lots of ideophones--words that mimic actual sounds--and the collage illustrations are marvelous, very expressive and fun and full of wonderful details that bring the African setting to life. I was especially excited to find mention of something very like "the tar baby" that fascinated my childhood self so much in the Brer Rabbit stories :-) I think the "moral" of this particular story is open to interpretation (was it fair to capture all those creatures in exchange for bringing the stories to earth?) but all in all it's a delightful read if you enjoy this sort of folktale.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Long, long ago, when the earth was set down and the sky was lifted up, all folktales were owned by the Sky God." So begins this story about the iconic West African trickster figure Anansi, who decides to buy the Sky God's stories for the people on earth. The price may seem impossibly high, but Anansi knows he can rely on his clever wife Aso to help him...

Well known for her many wonderful adaptations of African folklore, Verna Aardema delivers her second Anansi tale with Anansi Does the Impossible, following upon Anansi Finds a Fool: An Ashanti Tale (1992). This engaging Ashanti tale is accompanied by Lisa Desimini's colorful collage illustrations, and includes a short glossary. Anansi, who can appear either as a spider or a human, is shown here in his arachnid form, in contrast to a recent retelling of the story, Anansi and the Box of Stories (2008). Whether they already know and love Anansi, or are discovering him for the first time, young folklore enthusiasts will enjoy this retelling of the tale.

[CH_Emily Scholnik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elementary Grades K-5
"Anansi and his wife outsmart the Sky God and win back the beloved folktales of their people."

In this retelling of an African folklore, it is Aso, Anansi’s wife, who comes up with the plans that Anansi carries out to fulfill the Sky God’s price for the people’s stories. This story makes for a great read-aloud, with vivid dialogue and sound effects. The collage art is really quite lovely and portrays the power of the Sky God and the sassiness of Anansi and Aso in saturated, deep colors and black velvet paper. The first page contains a glossary with pronunciation, ideophones, and explanations, which was helpful for both my students and myself! My 3rd graders throughly enjoyed listening to this story.

[talia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anansi* performs three "impossible" tasks for the sky god and thus reclaims the folklore of the Ashanti people for the mortals. I loved the folkloric narration of the story, with the onomatopoetic language and the repetition. The art is absolutely gorgeous as well.

*My complaint: Anansi doesn't actually have any ideas himself- his wife Aso solves each puzzle and sets Anansi up to get all the acclaim. Frustrating, yet typical. Anansi isn't known for being honest or fair to those around him, but I wish Aso would put at least one of her many feet down and take some credit.

[Ellice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another African folktale by the author of the classic Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears. The illustrations in this one are slightly creepier--particularly the anthropomorphized Anansi and Aso, who take some getting used to. But the tale is interesting and Aso consistently provides her husband with extremely good advice.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindergarteners and early elementary children will enjoy this witty retelling of a traditional West African folktale, featuring the archetypal trickster figure, Anansi the spider, and his clever wife Aso. The story is retold in simple but evocative language, and the author frequently incorporates ideophones for sound effects (such as “goler, goler, goler” to imitate the sound of water being poured from a jug), which makes this story especially suitable for reading aloud. The illustrations combine oil-painting backgrounds with the characters rendered in cut paper, which adds an extra touch of whimsy to an already enjoyable story. Anansi achieves the impossible with audacity and panache, not to mention the help of his strong, smart wife.

CIP: “Anansi and his wife outsmart the Sky God and win back the beloved folktales of their people.”

Positively reviewed in both SLJ and Hornbook, which calls this text “a great choice for storytelling.”

[J9 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great educational book for your children over the preschool age. My 5 yr old loved it. Went along well with our lesson on Africa. Lots of good information with beautiful pictures that will help keep children engaged. A great addition to any children's library.

[RLL22017-Tammi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, "Anansi -'did'- the Impossible" with guidance from his wife let's make this a note - (jokingly & smiling). Anansi went to demand a heartfelt request to be the narrator of the Ashanti God folktales of past and future. The Ashanti God in turn required 3 impossible task of Anansi to fulfill first. Doubting himself, Anansi informed his wife Asho of his task. She placed great thought and effort into plan to help him. Taking Ashos' advise, Anansi was able to successfully complete his task, surprising the Ashanti God each time. As a keeper of his word, the Ashanti God rewarded Anansi his wish and his folk tales were shared throughout the Ashanti tribe. This was an interesting read because of the task asked of Anansi. If you relate them to current life, humbly, you have to give to receive even if you have to request assistance from others. Not all success stories are self accomplishments.

[Liz Miro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the earliest Anansi tale that tells the story of how the folktales came to the Ashanti people. Long ago, the Sky God owned all of the stories and Anansi wanted to buy them back but they came at a price: a live python, one real fairy, and forty-seven stinging hornets. In this version of the tale, Anansi's wife Aso is actually the one who comes up with the ideas to complete these "impossible" tasks, which I thought was refreshing. The story comes to life with gorgeous collage art illustrations by Lisa Desimini. I appreciated that the author, Verna Aardema, included a glossary of terms at the beginning of the book which could definitely aid in comprehension.

[Sue Doherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful retelling of the tale of how Anansi, with his wife Aso's help, was able to complete three feats to get control of stories from the Sky God. This myth is a central element of Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia, and this book would make a great read aloud to complement the novel.

[Cathy Sheetz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells a well-known folk tale from Nigeria about a cunning spider.

This book is a great read-aloud with colorful illustrations about how stories came to be. I would read it aloud to grades K-3rd and keep it in the classroom library for 1st - 4th. It could be used with a writing unit on traditional folk-tales and fairy tales for 4th and 5th grades.

[Deborah Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book to my students as part of "Go on a Field Trip" month in October. We took a virtual field trip on an African Safari. I loved this book as part of the Anansi folk tales from Africa. I loved the words they use to express the sounds they make. This was a lot of fun to read to my students.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A traditional story about how Anansi Tales came to be. Anansi uses his tricks and gimmicks to outsmart the sky god and several animals to claim the traditional tales as his own. Can use to connect to sequencing in stories or just as a clever story to introduce traditional stories to readers.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was great!! Really disliked the artwork in it, though. Had a whole mixed media feel, which didn't feel like it went along with the story.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an African tale about a spider who wants to buy the folktales from the sky god well he demanded three impossible tasks but the spider completes them an the sky god grants the purchase

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting in that in this Anansi tale, it is Anansi's wife that solves all the problems.

[Kest Schwartzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently read a much more condescending version if this story, and am glad to have found this one. It's a great story.

[Albana Bregu · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about a funny, little Spider who wants to buy the stories by the Sky God. What payment is asked from Anansi? Will he be able to buy them?

[Boyzin · Rating 4 out of 5]

L

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story and the Lisa Desimini illustrations are great!

[L M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun retelling of the Ananasi and Aso story

[Shelby Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Anansi Does the Impossible!: An Ashanti Tale
Author: Verna Aardema
Illustrator: Lisa Desimini
Genre: Non-European folktale
Theme(s): Courage, Adversity
Opening line/sentence: "Long, long ago, when the earth was set down, and the sky was lifted up, all folktales were owned by the Sky God..."
Brief Book Summary: Anansi is a storyteller (depicted as a spider), who wishes to retrieve his people's stories from the Sky God. In going to the sky god, there is a price to pay for those prized stories, which seem like impossible tasks for a spider. The sky god says that Anansi must give him a live python, a fairy, and 47 stinging hornets. Anansi goes to his wife with the three tasks and together they found ways to outwit the creatures and complete the three tasks, to the sky god's astonishment. Because the tasks are completed, Anansi retrieves the stories and gets to share them with his people- thus explaining how the stories remained with the Ashanti people.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Linda Perkins (Booklist, December 1, 1997 (Vol. 94, No. 7)) In this Ashanti tale, Anansi journeys to the Sky God to buy his stories. The price is expensive. He must capture and surrender to the Sky God a live python, a real fairy, and 47 stinging hornets. With advice and tips on strategy from his wife, Aso, Anansi manages to perform all three tasks and is awarded the stories. Vivid, stylized collage illustrations convey the frightening force and power of the Sky God yet also reveal Anansi's own pluck and boldness. Perfect for reading or telling aloud, this comes with a glossary of explanations, ideophones, and pronunciation.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Janice M. Del Negro (The Bulletin of the Center for Children s Books, January 1998 (Vol. 51, No. 5)) Taken from Aardema's book The Sky God Stories, this tongue-in-cheek rendition of how stories came to belong to all humanity is given a fresh new look by Lisa Desimini's mixed-media illustrations. This retelling is both similar to and different from Haley's A Story, A Story (BCCB 12/70)--similar in that Anansi wins the tales from the Sky God, but different in that it is Anansi's clever wife, Aso, who engineers the feat. Desimini's collages are unusually involving, their apparent simplicity giving way to compositional richness on second and third looks, as Anansi (shown as a black spider in a kente-cloth vest) captures a python, a fairy, and forty-seven stinging hornets as payment for the stories. Desimini's media choices (oil glazing, cut paper, and black velvet paper, to name a few) are visually intriguing and give the illustrations a feeling of depth and density, from the image of the Sky God, a dark blue mass of sky with cloudy eyebrows, to the green textured paper foliage, to the changing colors of the backgrounds. The text is a bit old-fashioned and stiff, but Aardema's usual sound effects are here, and they add a participatory note that harmonizes well with the playfulness of Desimini's visuals. A glossary and source note are included.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: The first review gives a brief summary and notes how the illustrations reflect the character of Anansi. I think that the illustrations went well with the story and the text, making it easy for readers to follow along with they story. Reviewer #2 listed specific artistic choices that the illustrator made which I found very interesting. Both reviewers wrote positively about the book, and one even noted the detail made observations about the hidden complexity of the story (down to the illustrator's choice to cloth the spider in a "kente-cloth vest."
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The plot of the book is very exciting, as the reader is left wondering whether Anansi will be able to complete the seemingly impossible tasks determined by the sky god (although a prediction could be made from the title of the book). The illustrations were a great accompaniment to the text and helped the reader visualize each part of the story. The story gave some cultural insights into the Ashanti people, including the garb they wear-Kente cloth, and their appreciation of storytelling.
Consideration of Instructional Application: I would use this book in several ways in the classroom. First, I think this book would be a good way to start or emphasize key aspects of folktales-but it also has some comparative structures to a legend (as Anansi could be considered a legendary figure-except for the fact that he is depicted as a spider). I would have students develop their own tasks for Anansi and draw pictures to accompany them, or have students come up with their own folktale. Another idea would be to have student consider some of the cultural aspect presented by the book (for older grades).

[Mandee · Rating 2 out of 5]

1. List what you learned about the culture from the stories.

First I looked up what Ashanti meant. The Ashanti people come from Ashantiland with is on the Gulf of Guinea. Ashanti are a matrilineal societies where line of descent is traced through the female. This mother relationship determines land rights, inheritance and titles.

I also found that in this story he is aided by his wife, Aso.

2. List at least 3 words, character types or objects from each tale that come from the culture.

I learned in reading this book that Anasi is depicted as both a man and a spider in their stories. So he is not a man with spider qualities or a spider who has man’s personality but is actually portrayed as a man and/or a spider.

The repetition of words in this tale are actually noises or sounds that they make. For example: “And she whispered, pesa, pesa, pesa in Anasi’s ear.
Anasi chuckled, gug,gug,gug!”

In this story the items they must catch are a live python, one real fairy and 47 stinging hornets. So the story changed a little from A Story, A Story.

Also the way the book is illustrated really caught my attention. It has cut-outs against colorful backdrops.

“Slap her spanking place”

Overarching questions
1. List what you found in common among all of the stories.

Of the two stories that I listed I found that Anasi is considered to have spider qualities. He goes to visit the sky god and he is given 3 impossible tasks to do in order to receive the stories.

Both of these stories (A Story, A Story and Anasi does the Impossible) are about overcoming conflicts to achieve your goal.
2. What value would such a study have for a English Language Arts Class? Can you find Common Core Standards that would support your use of such a study? (Identify them)

I believe these would be great read to read out loud (especially Anasi does the Impossible).It would be a good introduction to a unit on Africa.There is also a lot of figurative language that is used. After these are read out loud these could be discussed for the moral of the story. Also they could determine the theme and discuss how Anasi overcomes challenges to achieve his goal.

2.RL.2
Recount stories, including fables and folktales from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral.

3.RL.2
Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text.

4.RL.2
Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.

5.RL.2
Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.

What value would such a study have for a Social Studies class?

Students could use this for Social Studies report, because of the popularity of Anansi tales. The students would also be able to see from the illustrations the dress of the culture, and through the reading learn words that are from their culture such as “fu-fu”, and “odum”.

[Wallace Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: I placed this title in my reading log under Traditional Literature Picture Books.

Summary: Anansi is spider trying to get all the folktales for his village, but they were owned by the Sky God. In order to get the folktales, the Sky God wanted the spider to obtain three impossible things, so the Sky God thought; a python, one real fairy, and forty-seven stinging hornets, which he was able to gather with help from his wife.

Critique:

(a.) An awesome story where the author is able to show young readers with her bold text that with help and a strong will, one can achieve anything they put their minds too.

(b.) Anansi was given what appeared to be an impossible task but we see on page 10 and 11 that with help from his wife and a well thought out plan, they were able to attain the first item required by the Sky God, which was the python. Then on page 18 and 19, the two of them set out together to catch a real fairy, which after a little preparation and well thought out plan, they were able to get the second item requested by the Sky God.

(c.) Anansi took those three items to the Sky God and was granted the folktales. We see on the last page of the book that the Anansi and his wife gather with the villagers to enjoy reading time with the newly obtained folktales.

Curriculum Connection: What an interesting, vibrant story to share with students in a read aloud setting. The text, along with the bold, illustrations provide opportunities for children to use their imagination as the story unfolds.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently discovered the Anansi/Ananse (they go by both names) tales after one of the Ananase stories for a reading group in my class. The students really loved it and I discovered that there were other books too and they told various folklore stories from west Africa. I found this one in the library and gave it a read through.


I really enjoyed reading through Anansi does the Impossible and if you're looking into the Anansi/Ananse books this is a great starter because it explains the origins of these stories. Anansi is a spider who asks the Sky God for his stories. He refutes Ananasi, but promises to give them to him if he'll give him a live python, a living fairy and 47 hornets. Anansi of course agrees and sets out on the quest.


Overall this is a great folklore story that takes place in West Africa. Some parts of the story were harder to read through, making this a great book to read with children in 3rd grade and up. I enjoyed the incorporation of West African words and while there was no real moral to the story (unlike other Anansi/Ananase stories),but an introduction to Anansi. If you want a more leveled folklore story, Ananasi Does the Impossible is a great read.

[Anna Frame · Rating 4 out of 5]

PERSONAL REACTION
I really liked this book. I think it would be very appealing to younger children with the bright illustrations and the constant action within the story. Anansi pulls off a task that the town/village is very impressed by and I think children will be excited to go along the journey with him as her performs certain tasks.

PURPOSE/USE IN CLASSROOM
-read aloud to students (K-6)
-this would be great to read during a unit on Africa (West Africa- Ghana)
-students can now understand what/why Anansi tales are
-here is a lot of conflict and overcoming conflict that all students could learn from
-there is also a lot of figurative language that is used
-students could use this for some type of country report, specifically Africa, because of the popularity of Anansi tales
-students would be able to identify that this is an African tale because of the animals that are part of the story and also because of the clothing that the spiders are wearing in the illustrations

I really like this book and I think that it would be a great one to use in the classroom. It would be a great story to incorporate different cultures and the story is very engaging.

[Raena Mceuin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anansi is one of my favorite African folklore characters, and this book brings his tales to life for children otherwise unaware of such traditions. Anansi the Spider is determined to buy back the stories taken from the people and kept by the Sky God. With the assistance of his clever wife, Aso, he takes the Sky God the live python, the real fairy, and the 47 stinging hornets required to regain the stories. Retold from Aardema's The Sky God Stories, the tale rolls along at a lively rhythmic pace, full of descriptive ideophones (sounds that express movement or emotion). The lively narrative is perfect for reading aloud or interactive interpretation. The illustrator's textured collages portray the spider couple as heroically teamed in their boldly patterned clothing. The depictions of the defiant Anansi confronting the Sky God, a gigantic, disembodied head, are particularly profound and hold opportunities for symbolic reflection.It is a good example of Folktale, and there's a Between the Lions episode (educational PBS show)about him that would pair up quite nicely. 1st-3rd

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

CIP: Anansi and his wife outsmart the Sky God and win back the beloved folktales of their people.

REVIEW: Ardema is a well-known reteller of African folktales for children. In this retelling, it is Aso, Anansi’s wife, who comes up with the plans that Anansi carries out to fulfill the Sky God’s price for the people’s stories. This version makes a great read-aloud, with lively dialogue and sound effects. The collage art vividly portrays the power of the Sky God and the boldness of Anansi and Aso in saturated, deep colors and black velvet paper for the spiders. A glossary is included with pronunciation, ideophones, and explanations.

SLJ: Positive. "Aardema's version may be more suited to preschool listeners, and ...[has] compelling illustrations that extend and illuminate the narrative."

Booklist: Positive. "this newly illustrated edition will attract a new, enthusiastic audience."

[JaNeal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a classic Anansi story, and by that alone is worth the exposure. I am still developing my taste for old folk tales, but this is helping to pave the wave. Anansi tales are African folk tales and this story claims to be where the Anansi stories began. Anansi is a small spider that uses cunning and bravery to achieve the impossible. I like that his wife is a major source of his help. Unlike some other folk cultures, the wife/woman is treated highly and respectfully. So far, this is my favorite Anansi story but I need to read more before I weigh in too heavily. One thing that Aardema does well in her books is sound effects--this one is no exception. It definitely has a "tell aloud" feel.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sky God owned all the stories of the people of the Earth, and Anansi the Spider decides to get them back. Sky God names his price:"The price is three impossible tasks! Bring me a live python, a real fairy, and forty-seven stinging hornets.” With the help of his wife Aso, Anansi does the impossible and earns back the stories. The villagers honor Anansi and Aso—and from that day on, the stories of West Africa have been called Anansi Tales. I like this different incarnation of Anansi-- he isn't the lazy, trickster spider of Anansi & the Moss-Covered Rock (which is one of my favorite children's books).