Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock (Traditional)

Kimmel, Eric A. Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock. Ill. by Janet Stevens. New York: Holiday House, 1988. ISBN 082340689X

Plot Summary
A smart and devious spider named Anansi discovers a magical rock with the power to render visitors unconscious. Anasni, being both intelligent and lazy, decides to use the rock’s power to steal other animal’s hard earned food. Fortunately for the other forest animals, one animal catches on and gives Anansi a taste of his own medicine!

Critical Analysis
In this trickster folktale retold by Eric Kimmel, the reader catches a glimpse of many of humanities worst traits in the leading character, Anansi. His selfish and lazy ways sharply contrast his friendly and innocent animal counterparts in the jungle. It does not take long for the reader to begin cheering for the jungle animals and hoping for Anansi’s defeat. Despite their support for the assortment of jungle animals, readers will find themselves laughing as animal after animal repeat the same mistakes.

The idyllic jungle setting presented by the bright and cheerful illustrations provide the perfect setting to this book. Readers can easily imagine the large spider relaxing in paradise while planning his deceptions. Traditional African animals and fruits hint at the story’s origins, but do not prevent the story from being universally understood. A quick introduction into the story allows for an action packed book that begs to be read with exaggerated expressions and wide sweeping gestures.  Comical illustrations, paired with repetition of plot will allow even the youngest of readers to understand the absurdity of the situation. Young children will love reenacting Anansi’s discovery of the magical rock and his evil conniving, along with the dramatic collapse of each forest animal. Readers will be glad when good triumphs evil, but will not be disappointed to learn that Anansi has not yet learned his lesson!

Awards and Review Excerpts
Booklist Monthly Selections 1993
Children’s Books of the Year 1990
Nevada Young Readers Awards
School Library Journal- “colorful illustrations add detail, humor, and movement”

Connections
*After story becomes familiar, allow early childhood students to act out parts as the book is read.
*Turn this book into a reader’s theater for older elementary students.
*With middle school and high school students, allow this book to serve as an introduction to world cultures, specifically African cultures.
*Pair this book with other Anansi tales to guide students through in depth character analysis.
Aardema, Verna. Anansi does the impossible! : an Ashanti tale. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks, 2000.ISBN 0689839332
Kimmel, Eric. Anansi goes fishing. New York: Holiday House, 1992. ISBN 0823410226
Kimmel, Eric. Anansi and the magic stick. City: Holiday House Inc, 2001. ISBN 0823417638
Kimmel, Eric. Anansi and the talking melon. New York: Holiday House, 1994. ISBN 0823411672
McDermott, Gerald. Anansi the spider: a tale from the Ashanti. New York: Henry Holt and Co, 1986.
     ISBN 0805003118