Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock

Bibliography:

Kimmel, Eric A. 1988. Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock. Ill. Janet Stevens. Holiday House: New York.

ISBN: 0-8234-0689-X

Summary:

Anansi the spider walks through the forest and finds a strong moss-covered rock.  "KPOM!" Anansi finds out the hard way that the rock is a magic rock, knocking out it's victims for an hour after uttering the magic phrase. Using this knowledge to his advantage, Anansi tricks his friends Lion, Elephant, Rhinoceros, Hippopotamus, Giraffe and Zebra by stealing their food while they are unconscious. Luckily Little Bush Deer is always watching and uses the magic rock against Anansi to right his wrongs and return the forest animals' food.

Analysis:

Eric A. Kimmel retells this West African tale by integrating it with the Caribbean culture's popular Anansi character. This trickster tale uses a basic storyline with repetitive phrases and sequences appropriate even for young readers as well as oral reading. Janet Stevens' brightly colored drawings create texture and movement on each page. The animals are brought to life through the skillful illustrations that draw the reader's eye.  Overall, Anansi teaches readers that someone is always watching and it is never nice to trick your friends in Kimmel's lively retelling of this old African tale.

Reviews:

"Anansi the Spider happens upon an unusual stone that magically puts him to sleep for an hour. The master trickster decides to use the rock to get the food stores from the rest of the local residents. Each animal is taken in turn to the strange moss-covered rock, says the magic phrase, and promptly falls asleep to have its food pilfered by Anansi. All the while, however, Little Bush Deer silently watches. Ultimately, it is small and shy Deer who outwits Anansi and returns the food to its rightful owners. Although no specific source is given, Kimmel has retold a West African tale (said to be known in Caribbean culture). The text is rhythmic, nicely building suspense to the inevitable conclusion. Stevens' complementary, colorful illustrations add detail, humor, and movement to the text. Here, Anansi is portrayed as a large eight-legged arachnid; his expression is in his motion. The other animals are almost realistic, although with facial expressions that are characteristic of the artist's work. This new picture book Anansi tale will be welcomed by all trickster fans." - School Library Journal (found on Barnes & Noble.com)

Connections:

• Review trickster tales - compare Anansi to other trickster characters in folktales, such as Coyote or Br'er Rabbit:
• Br'er Rabbit and the Rabbit Patch - Walt Disney
• Coyote: A Trickster Tale from the American Southwest - Gerald McDermott

• Compare Anansi stories for characters, problem/solution and moral/lesson:
• Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti - Gerald McDermott
• Anansi and the Magic Stick - Eric Kimmel 
• Anansi Does the Impossible! - Verna Aardema