A parent might reach for this book when their child is ready for stories with more complex characters and a gentle introduction to moral lessons. Perfect for families wanting to explore world cultures, this book presents six classic West African folktales about Spider, a clever but flawed trickster. Through his humorous and ill-fated schemes to get food or avoid work, the stories explore themes of justice, honesty, and the consequences of greed and laziness. For ages 6 to 10, these tales are engaging, funny, and serve as excellent conversation starters about making good choices. It’s a wonderful way to introduce folklore while providing positive cultural representation.
The primary theme is moral ambiguity. Spider is not a traditional hero; he is a greedy, lazy, and dishonest protagonist. This is handled through a secular, folkloric lens. The consequences for his actions are direct and serve as the story's punchline, but they are never truly dire. The resolution is always a return to order, with Spider facing a humorous, non-violent form of justice.
Ideal Reader
A 7 to 9 year old with a growing sense of humor and a strong sense of fairness. This child loves animal stories and fables and is beginning to understand that characters can be complex, not just “good” or “bad.” It’s also perfect for a child who is curious about stories from around the world.
Parent Prep
No specific prep is needed as the stories are brief and self-contained. Parents may want to read the author’s introduction, which gives valuable context on the oral tradition of these tales in Ghana and Liberia. Explaining what a “trickster” is can also be helpful context for a child. The parent sees their child trying to find a clever “shortcut” for their chores or telling a small fib to get something they want. The parent is looking for a way to discuss the difference between being smart and being wise, and to talk about integrity without being preachy.
Age Experience
A younger child (6-7) will love the talking animals and the slapstick humor of Spider’s plans going wrong. An older child (8-10) will have a more nuanced appreciation for the cleverness of the plots, the satisfying nature of the justice, and the underlying moral lessons about character flaws like greed.
What Makes It Special
This collection stands out for its authenticity and accessible storytelling. Joyce Cooper Arkhurst collected these stories directly in West Africa, lending them a genuine voice. Unlike some fables with starkly good or evil characters, Spider is a charming, relatable, and flawed protagonist, making the moral lessons more resonant. The classic illustrations by Jerry Pinkney add depth and warmth, making it a cornerstone text for introducing Anansi tales.
Read plot summary
This is a collection of six short, episodic folktales featuring Spider (Anansi), the classic West African trickster. In each tale, Spider uses his cleverness to try and get something he wants, usually food or an escape from work. However, his greed, laziness, and vanity cause his plans to backfire in humorous ways. The stories serve as pourquoi tales, explaining things like why spiders have thin waists or why they hide in corners, while delivering gentle moral lessons.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
In the story 'How Spider Got a Thin Waist,' Spider wanted to eat from two feasts at once. What went wrong with his plan? What could he have done differently?
2
Spider is very clever, but his plans often fail. Is it more important to be clever or to be honest? Why do you think so?
3
The stories often explain why something in nature is the way it is, like why spiders hide in dark corners. Why do you think people created stories to explain these things?
4
Which of Spider's tricks did you think was the funniest or the most clever, even if it didn't work out?
5
If you were one of the other animals, would you be friends with Spider? Why or why not?
