PreS-Gr 3--Anansi the Spider is determined to buy back the stories taken from the people and kept by the Sky God. With the assistance of his clever wife, Aso, he takes the Sky God the live python, the real fairy, and the 47 stinging hornets required to regain the stories. Retold from Aardema's The Sky God Stories (Coward, 1960; o.p.), the tale rollicks along at a rhythmic merry pace, full of descriptive ideophones (sounds that express movement or emotion). The lively narrative is perfect for reading aloud, and the inclusion of Aso is a particularly nice touch. Desimini's textured collages portray the spider couple as cheeky and cherubic in their boldly patterned clothing. The extravagant, vibrant illustrations fill the pages and complement the text beautifully. The depictions of the defiant Anansi confronting the Sky God, a gigantic, disembodied head, are particularly effective. Gail Haley's A Story, A Story (Atheneum, 1970) tells the same tale, but to compare the two would be to compare apples and oranges. Both retellings have lively, evocative language, although Aardema's version may be more suited to preschool listeners, and both have compelling illustrations that extend and illuminate the narrative. Make room on the shelf for both.--Donna L. Scanlon, Lancaster County Library, PA

With the help of his clever wife, Anansi performs three impossible tasks in order to buy the Sky God's stories. Brilliant collage illustrations bring out the humor of this tale in which the round-bellied trickster spiders catch a python, a fairy, and forty-seven stinging hornets for the wrathful Sky God. Retold from Aardema's 'Sky God Stories', the text is a great choice for storytelling. Glos.

In this Ashanti tale, Anansi journeys to the Sky God to buy his stories. The price is expensive. He must capture and surrender to the Sky God a live python, a real fairy, and 47 stinging hornets. With advice and tips on strategy from his wife, Aso, Anansi manages to perform all three tasks and is awarded the stories. Vivid, stylized collage illustrations convey the frightening force and power of the Sky God yet also reveal Anansi's own pluck and boldness. Perfect for reading or telling aloud, this comes with a glossary of explanations, ideophones, and pronunciation. Originally published in Aardema's Sky God Stories (Coward, 1960, op), this newly illustrated edition will attract a new, enthusiastic audience. (Reviewed December 1, 1997)