Anansí and the Pot of Beans

by Bobby Norfolk, Sherry Norfolk, Baird Hoffmire (Illustrator)

A timeless trickster tale from Africa about silly spider, Anansì.
Did you ever wonder why spiders have no hair? After reading Anansí and the Pot of Beans , you too will know the answer. This classic folktale from Africa, written by Bobby and Sherry Norfolk, tells the story of when Anansí goes to help his grandmother. Upon arrival he finds her steaming, hot pot of beans, which he can't resist. This is where the fun begins. Anansí and the Pot of Beans is a charming story that is entertaining while also teaching important life lessons in character values about responsibility and trust. While author, Bobby Norfolk was visiting the town of Kumasi in Ghana in the summer of 1993, a woman told him, "At four-thirty every afternoon, we try to gather together and have Anansi time." Norfolk attended the afternoon break and heard elders tell stories of Anansi, the tireless trickster of Ghanian tradition. Anansi Appears in these stories in his most playful and creative guises. The Norfolks' adaptations brim with action, energy, and humor.

Genres: Picture Books, Fiction, Audiobook, Childrens, Folklore, Africa

32 pages, Paperback

First published October 25, 2006

Reviews

[Prabhjot Kaur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anansi's grandmother tasks him with planting the beans in the garden. When she leaves home to get some spices, she tells Anansi not to touch the pot of beans as it is very hot. But the pot of beans smells delicious and calls to Anansi. Anansi starts to eat the beans from the pot and when neighbors come to help him with the birds that flew into the kitchen, Anansi hides some beans in his hat and the hot beans burn his hair.

It started out really nice and it was funny but I think there should have been more, the ending was unsatisfactory and abrupt. The pictures were nice though.

3 stars

[Moonkiszt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Featured in grandma reads session.

Anansi is a snappy spider who behaves a lot like a person, and this folktale has him disobeying grandma. . so, of course, this was a tale I, a grandma, wanted to get in front of my listeners. It was a bit of a mixed message as the price Anansi paid for disobedience was the loss of his long, beautiful hair and my guys have been lately under the barbering care of fathers in these days of covid quarantining, and one of the littles blurted:

"Hey! He doesn't have to get his hair cut ever again! Yay!!!!"

Hmm. Things that make you go ?Hmm?

So - going with 3 stars here.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one good, funny story.

I love the narrator of the audiobook, so expressive and funny!!

And.... one question remains: are beans THAT tasty?

[Safara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story tentang hobi makan kacang wkwkwk

[Joseph Ryan-Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story's about a greedy spider called Anansi who went to his grandma to help but couldn't resist tasting there lunch because it was his favorite.
My favorite character is Anansi because he's always full of energy and always has a story to read
Yes I would recommend this story
I would also recommend Anansi and the tug o'war

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anansi the spider was helping his grandmother plant beans in her garden. She had to go to the store to buy spices for her bean soup and told Anansi to stay away from the pot of beans. While his grandmother was gone Anansi sneaked a taste, then another, then filled his hat with the hot beans.
When the neighbours came to chase birds out of the garden Anansi plopped the hat onto his head. Ouch! His poor head of hair.
Funny story.

[Nyss · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s funny and it us something my daughter would like. The illustrations are beautiful too.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anansi helps his grandmother by doing some chores for her. When she has to leave to get some items for the beans she is cooking, Anansi must resist the tantalizing aroma of the beans cooking and leave them alone as instructed by his grandmother before she left. He tries to resist but eventually gives in and is caught by some neighbors. He tries to hide his misdeed and eventually must face up to what he has done. We all have to make tough decisions. In making those decisions, we need to consider the consequences. Like Anansi discovered, once the decision is made - you don't have a choice but to live with the consequences of your actions.

[Mackenzie Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readers definitely learn a lesson from Anansi in this story. As the protagonist, he is left with a tough decision of whether or not to obey his granny and stay away from a boiling hot pot of his favorite food! Anansi makes a decision and then must pay the consequences! This book would also be a great resource to use during Black History month, since the Anansi fables originate from ancient African tribes. Beginning readers would enjoy this story, and hopefully understand the importance of doing what they're told!

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

another anansi tale good for teaching children about african culture

[Željko Filipin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never put hot beans in your hat. 🔥🥣

[Mark Pedigo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short (5 minutes or so) but charming. Listened to it from stories.audible.com.