Title: Anansi and the Talking Melon
Author: Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Janet Stevens
Theme: folk tale
Summary: Anansi is a mischievous spider who enjoys playing tricks on others. When he becomes stuck inside a melon (after eating his way in and becoming too full and bloated to squeeze his way back out), he decides to convince Elephant that he owns a talking melon. Other animals learn about Elephant’s “good fortune” on his way to see the King, and Anansi enjoys convincing each of them that the melon really can talk by insulting them along the way. He ends up angering the King so much that he throws the melon, thereby breaking it open and releasing the amused Anansi.
Characters: Anansi, Elephant, Hippo, Warthog, Ostrich, Rhino, Turtle, King Monkey
Comments: Despite his sneakiness (and unkindness), Anansi is a likeable character. The development of the story is well-timed and constantly engaging, including some repetition but remaining unpredictable. My students love this story and laugh the whole way through.
Grade level: Kindergarten-Third
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