Spider and the Sky God: An Akan Legend

Legends of the World

by Deborah M. Newton Chocolate, Dave Albers (Illustrator)

Ananse the spider must meet Sky God's challenge and prove that he can spin tales as splendid as his spider webs

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Folk Tales, Africa, Mythology

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Debbi Chocolate is the author of numerous popular and award-winning books for young readers, including Talk, Talk, for which she received the Parents CHoice Award; On The Day I Was Born, a Children's Book Council Notable selectiom; and Neate to the Rescue!

Reviews

[Magdala Camilien]

I enjoyed this story. It was about a spider named Ananse that spun wonderful webs, but all he really wanted to do was spin wonderful stories. Well he knew that all stories were kept by the Sky God so he decides to make a trade with him. Sky God asksAnanse to get him, Mmoatia the Fairy Onini the Python, Mmoboro the Hornet, and Osebo the Leopard. Anase uses his wife's wonderful wisdom to capture all of these creatures. Then Ananse becomes blessed with having the gift of telling stories which are now known as the Spider Stories. He leaves telling his stories to anyone who listens.

[Henry Claxton]

The book's graphics were designed beautifully. This story is enjoyable because it varies drastically with most children's books. Although the book is a difficult read, it would be perfect for an advanced 4th or 5th grader. The story discuses legends, folk tales, and story telling based in different cultures. A spider, Ananse, cleverly defeats much bigger animals due to his intricate story telling. The story is based off of West Africa culture.

[Evan]

An Akan legend and part of the 'Legends of the World' series, this folktale retold by Deborah M. Newton Chocolate and illustrated by Dave Albers is an entertaining picture book that readers of many ages can enjoy, but I would recommend it especially to those interested in African folklore, specifically those who enjoy trickster stories featuring Ananse/Anansi.

This tale tells how Ananse became the legendary storyteller, winning the Sky God's stories by capturing the Python, the Buzzing Hornets, the Leopard and the Fairy and delivering them to him. The devious methods by which the Spider tricks his prey are delightful, as are the tribal illustrations by Albers.

[Brooklyn Schamens]

This book is about a spider that lives in Africa and spins very creative webs, but has a secret wish of spinning stories and tales as great as his webs. All of the stories belonged to the Sky God. The spider asks the God the price of his tales. The god said there is no price, but to bring him four things. The spider ventures out to get the four things asked of the God. The spider brings the things to the God, and the God praises and thanks the spider by giving him his stories. The God renames the stories as Spider tales.

[Madimeier]

This book is about a spider that creates beautiful spider webs in his village. He really wanted to spin stories and tales as splendid as his webs but he knew the stories belonged to the Sky God. The spider met with the Sky God to discuss what the price of his stories were. The Sky God responded saying he has to bring him back four things in order to hear the stories. The spider ended up completing all four things and got to receive the stories. The spider ended up calling them Spider Stories.

[Stephanie]

I love the Ananse tales!

[Rachel (Sfogs)]

Good book!

[Jeffrey]

Almost as good as Aardeema's version!

[Ashten Wolff]

The spider used his cleverness to catch for gifts for the sky god in exchange for his stories.

[Carole]

One of the Ananse the spider legends from Africa.