About This Book
Gerald McDermott's Caldecott Honor book, "Anansi the Spider," retells a traditional West African tale about the clever trickster Anansi. After a perilous journey where he is saved by each of his six sons, Anansi faces the dilemma of how to fairly reward them. This beautifully illustrated story not only entertains with its adventure and wit but also serves as an origin story for the moon, offering a rich introduction to Ashanti folklore and themes of family, cooperation, and problem-solving. Ideal for ages 4-11, it's a perfect read-aloud that sparks discussions about fairness and cultural traditions.
In trying to determine which of his six sons to reward for saving his life, Anansi the Spider is responsible for placing the moon in the sky
Discussion Prompts
1
If you were Anansi, how would you decide which son to reward?
2
What special talent does each of Anansi's sons have, and how do they help him?
3
What does this story teach us about working together?
4
Have you ever had to make a difficult decision like Anansi did? What happened?
5
What other stories do you know that explain how something in nature came to be?
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