Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti
By Gerald McDermott
The Story
A spider sets off on a dangerous journey and is rescued in turn by his six sons — then faces a puzzle: which son deserves the glowing reward he found?
Why It's Special
For families who love trickster tales and stories where cleverness and family loyalty matter more than size or strength, Anansi's journey delivers both danger and warmth in equal measure.
- Big idea: Family loyalty and fairness can outweigh the urge to pick a single winner.
- Vibes: Bold, graphic, rhythmic, and rooted in Ashanti storytelling tradition.
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy trickster and folktale traditions
- like to spot patterns in bold, graphic art
- are working on thinking about fairness and sharing credit
- respond well to stories with a satisfying puzzle to solve
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: How did each of Anansi's sons help save him on his journey?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Anansi felt when Fish and Falcon threatened him?
- Real-life connection: Has your family ever worked together to solve a hard problem?
- Imagination: If you were Anansi, how would you decide which son to reward?
- Art & storytelling: What do you notice about the shapes and colors in the pictures?
