Anansi and the Magic Stick by Eric Kimmel

Bibliography
Kimmel, Eric. (2001). ANANSI AND THE MAGIC STICK. Ill. by Janet Stevens. NY:  Holiday House. ISBN 0823414434.

Plot Summary
One sunny day, all the animals are working in their gardens except for the sleeping spider, Anansi.  When he awakens to hear them saying that his house and yard are a mess because he is lazy, Anansi replies, "I am not lazy. I am thinking."  Searching for a quieter spot, Anansi passes by Hyena's beautiful house and neat yard.  He is baffled because no one has ever seen the Hyena at work.  He soon discovers that Hyena possesses a magic stick that does all the work for him.  As soon as Hyena turns his back, Anansi steals the stick and uses its magic to clean up his yard and repair his house.  Unfortunately, when Anansi recites the magic words to command the stick to water the garden, he forgets to end the magic spell.  The stick continues watering the garden, the vegetables grow bigger and bigger, and the water turns into a raging river.  Luckily for everyone, Hyena finds the stick floating in the river and puts and end to the flood.  Although Anansi loses the magic stick, he acquires a brand new home, perfect for napping (and thinking).

Critical Analysis
Kimmel’s writing style expertly captures the tone and rhythm of the African culture, especially as it relates to oral storytelling.  The repetition often found in African folktales is present at the beginning in “It was a fine bright day.  All the animals were working working working in their gardens.”  This pattern continues throughout the story as “The magic stick kept watering watering watering.” Likewise, the main character of Anansi the Spider also remains true to his African folklore reputation as a conniving trickster always on the lookout for number one.  For readers familiar with other Anansi tales, the plot follows a similar design in which the spider tries to get whatever he wants with very little effort.   Anansi chooses to steal the stick and use its magic to have a beautiful house and yard rather than do the work himself.  The motif of magic is especially important in this story because its misuse results in a raging river which floods the village and ruins the animals' homes.  One underlying theme seems to be that taking a shortcut may result in negative consequences not only for oneself, but for others as well.      

Although his misdeeds lead to temporary trouble, the ever-thinking spider ends up on top and the surprise ending of this story is sure to leave readers with a smile.  Whereas Kimmel masterfully develops the characters and plot, it is the vibrant illustrations from Stevens that emphasize the African village setting and playfully depict the chaos that results from Anansi’s escapades. 


Review Excerpts
From School Library Journal: (Ages PreS-grade 3)
"...the whole adds up to an enjoyable offering that is clever, funny, surprising, and traditional all at once."

From Kirkus Reviews: (Ages 4-8)
"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."

Connections

Increase students’ knowledge of the African culture through Music, Arts & Crafts, and Reading.

Music – this is an awesome powerpoint that explains the importance of music in the African culture: http://sk056.k12.sd.us/Take%20An%20African%20Safari.ppt   Share African drum music with students by asking the school music teacher for assistance or downloading free music clips such as this one from http://www.africandrummingcd.com/free-african-drumming-mp3.html  These would really set the mood when preparing to read additional African folktales or perform reader’s theater.

Arts & Crafts – this link provides a wide range of ideas suitable for many different age groups. http://www.wartgames.com/crafts/africa.html

Reading – using a map or globe, have a student volunteer locate Africa.  Activate children's background knowledge of Africa by inviting them to share what they know about Africa (many children are at least familiar with Disney’s The Lion King or have learned about Kwanzaa at school).  Display a collection of nonfiction books for additional opportunities to look at photographs and learn new information.  Here are a few that I was able to locate rather easily:

Jacobsen, Karen. KENYA.  ISBN 051601112X
Laure, Jason. ZIMBABWE. ISBN 0516027042
Fowler, Allan. AFRICA. ISBN 9780516259796
Kras, Sara Louise. BOTSWANA. 9780516248745

Read and discuss additional African Folktales - The stories on this link also include formats for Reader's Theater: http://www.phillipmartin.info/liberia/text_folktales_spider.htm

Of course, two of my all-time favorite African Folktales include: (both are Caldecott Winners!)
Haley, Gail E. A STORY, A STORY: AN AFRICAN TALE. ISBN 0689712014
Aardema, Verna. WHY MOSQUITOES BUZZ IN PEOPLE'S EARS: A WEST AFRICA TALE.
ISBN 0140549056

More Anansi tales from Kimmel and Stevens:
ANANSI AND THE TALKING MELON.  ISBN 0823411672
ANANSI AND THE MOSS-COVERED ROCK. ISBN 0823407985
ANANSI GOES FISHING. ISBN 0823410226