LSSL 5360: Module 2 -- Traditional Literature


Anansi and the Magic Stick
By Eric A. Kimmel



1)    BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kimmel, E. A., & Stevens, J. (2003).ANASI AND THE MAGIC STICK. New York: Holiday House. ISBN 9780823417636


2)    PLOT SUMMARY
Based loosely on a Liberian folktale, Anansi is back to his trickster ways in Anansi and the Magic Stick.  The story begins with all of the other animals hard at work in their gardens, while Anansi is lying around fast asleep.  When the animals accuse Anansi of being lazy he decides to find somewhere else to continue to rest.  While he’s walking, he comes across Hyena’s yard, which is clean and orderly, and ponders what hyena’s secret could be since he’s never seen working.  Anansi witnesses hyena instruct a magic stick to clean up a mess, and immediately decides that he needs to have it.  Anansi’s antics with the magic stick ultimately land him in a heap of trouble when he once again is lazy, and leaves the water stick watering for far too long.  Anansi wakes up to his misfortunes while floating down a river that he helped create.  Once again we’re left wondering if Anansi will ever learn from his trickster ways.


3)    CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Yet again Kimmel has the reader entranced in Anansi’s antics, and wondering if this will be the time that he changes his ways.  Anansi is a character that reader’s recognize, and is fun, humorous book to choose as a read aloud.  Kimmel’s repetition of words such working and walking and the bold print make this book a very interactive read.  His use of the magic stick rhyme has readers enthralled with magic, and often when a story teller is reading the book students will chime in and read the rhyme too.  Steven’s illustrations are vivid and make the animals come to life, and accurately portray Kimmel’s descriptions of Anansi’s antics.  The illustrations draw you into the book, and allow you to get swept into the trickster tale of Anansi.


4)    REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Kirkus’ Review:  “Children will delight in Anansi's escapades as he annoys his neighbors and learns how to control the stick. Kimmel and Stevens make a good team, with the text fonts echoing the action of the story and the illustrations bringing Anansi and all his antics to life.”  (Reviewed 5/20/2010)

Publisher Weekly’s Review:  “In Anansi and the Magic Stick by Eric A. Kimmel, illus. by Janet Stevens, the arachnid goes too far. Anansi steals the napping Hyena's magic housekeeping stick to water his garden. Unattended, the water floods the town. Stevens's comic creatures with their surprised expressions add kid appeal.”  (Reviewed 9/1/2001)


5)    CONNECTIONS
v This is a fun, humorous book to read aloud to students that teaches them not to covet what others have.
v Other similar stories:
Kimmel, Eric A.  ANANSI AND THE TALKING MELON  ISBN  0823411044
Kimmel, Eric A.  ANANSI AND THEMOSS-COVERED ROCK  ISBN 0823407985
Kimmel, Eric A.  SIMON AND THE BEAR  ISBN 1423143558

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