Anancy the Spider Man

by Philip Manderson Sherlock

The legend of Anansi is a legend told by storytellers and parents throughout the world, and Philip Sherlock brings this original Spider Man to life!

Fifteen Jamaican folk tales, illustrated with over fifty black and white drawings.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Animals

96 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1954

About the author

Sir Philip Manderson Sherlock (February 25, 1902 - December 4, 2000) was a historian, civil leader, and vice chancellor of the University of the West Indies.

Reviews

[Sharlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up in a Caribbean household, i remember always being read the many different stories, circulating around this one cunning spider, Anansi, before bed.

A trickster of a spider, who always wanted something and devised mischievous plans to get what he wanted. even if it meant, turning other animals against each other, telling lies and making the animals believe that if they did not do as he requested, the Sun God would punish them.
The Anansi story i remember the most, is Anansi asking the Sun-God Nyame, for all the stories in the world and to be the God of the stories. The Sun-God told Anansi that he will need to bring him Onini the Python,Osebo the leopard, Mmoboro Hornets and Mmoatia the Dwarf in order to become the God of all stories. As Anansi set out to capture these items, he used his wit and charm to get want he wanted and succeeded in becoming the God of all the stories in the world.

Although this story talks about tricky and acting in a deceitful manner, there are morals embedded within each story, which the children in your class could explore. for instance, you could have a child act out as Anansi, and the rest of the class will begin to ask him or her questions, trying to gather some information about Anansi and why he/she does the things they do. You could also devise Geography lessons around the Anansi stories, as they originally originated from Ghana and have travelled across the world , the children could explore the similarities and differences between the rural landscapes of the countries the Anansi stories travelled to and through.

This book and the many different stories, is suitable for year 3 and upwards. The enchanTing phrases and humorous Anansi will always make you want to read more and more,while you emabark on the journey alongside Anansi, discovering what next conniving plan he/she has up those eight legs.

[Megan Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anansi was the most prominent literary figure in my childhood and revisiting him and his misadventures suffused me with a sense of security.

[HadiDee · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an old book (1954) collecting Anansi stories from Jamaica. Well told, but could do with being updated. And I would have loved more illustrations.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book brings back memories of my seven years in Jamaica. Bre'r Anansi was and is a popular mythological story for Jamaican children and adults, and always brings a smile.

This is a great keepsake.

[Jessie Drew]

Wonderful! Fun stories for all ages, plus the illustrations are adorable. These are folk tales from the Caribbean originating in Africa.

[Issy Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really great book, I remember it being read to me when I was very young.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little Anansi stories, you really can't go wrong here.

[Kelys George]

I love it

[Faloni © · Rating 5 out of 5]

🗳🐆 S/O to @ for visiting me today.

[Jobiska (Cindy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite of the various retellings of the Anansi stories I've read. It's infused with humor (the chapter with the story of the yams, Tiki Tiki Boom Boom, is a perennial favorite of mine from childhood). The pen and ink illustrations are perfect for the stories. With retellings of trickster stories, it's sometimes hard to get a good balance of making the trickster sympathetic but not too much, and making those irritated or done wrong by the trickster not just either the epitome of all that is good and right, nor prissy goody-goodies. This retelling walks that line very well. Unfortunately it means other Anansi stories pale by comparison!

(received as gift when I was living in Trinidad and Tobago as a child, sometime between 1968 and 1970).

[Alicia Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anansi is such a little rogue, but you can't dislike him.
This is a collection of fairytales about his adventures and misadventures in his daily life as he tries to get food, get money or just plain annoy his neighbours.

This is a lovely little collection of folktales suitable for children and adults alike. The accompanying illustrations were quite charming.

I'll read any fairy tales I can get my hands on and it was fun to note the similarities and differences with the ones I already know.

[Mitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this one as a child and the impression it left on me remains.

Now, as a person who has done some storytelling, I see this collection in a new way- it is good for passing the stories on orally.

Anansi is an enduring character for good reasons. I think it's a bit difficult to locate this book but it has something to add to your life if you enjoy folk lore and clever tales. I recommend it solidly.

[Leila Anani · Rating 4 out of 5]

A firm favourite of mine as a child, this collects together the best of the Jamaican folk tales about the trickster anti-hero Anansi the spider man. A really readable edition of magical and enchanting stories. Wonderful stuff.

[Rehema Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all books about Anansi the trickster spider. This is a culturally adventurous book and gives children a taste of African culture inadvertently. I would read these books to children in my accent to get them interested in reading.