A Story, a Story
By Gail E. Haley
The Story
A clever spider man sets out to buy all the world's stories from the Sky God, who demands an impossible price: a fierce leopard, a fire-stinging hornet, and a fairy no one can see.
Why It's Special
For the kid who wants to know where stories actually come from, this Caldecott winner turns the very idea of storytelling into an adventure worth having.
- Big idea: Stories are treasures worth earning, and cleverness can outweigh brute strength.
- Vibes: Bold, folkloric, and steeped in the rhythm of oral tradition.
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy trickster tales and clever heroes
- are curious about where stories come from
- like bold, patterned illustrations
- respond well to stories with a quest or challenge to solve
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: What do you think Ananse could use to outwit Osebo the leopard, Mmboro the hornet, and Mmoatia the fairy?
- Imagination: If you had to trade something to own all the stories in the world, what would you offer the Sky God?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever had to be clever instead of strong to solve a tricky problem?
- Story & problem-solving: Why do you think the Sky God asked for three such different and difficult creatures?
- Imagination: What is your favorite story that someone told you out loud instead of reading from a book?
