Ananse's Feast: An Ashanti Tale by Tololwa M. Mollel, Andrew Glass (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

When the clever spider Ananse outwits Akye the turtle by inviting him to a feast he cannot touch, Akye plans a tasty revenge. This clever retelling of an Ashanti tale is brought to life by lavish, comic illustrations.

Children's Literature

Ananse is of course familiar to many of today's young readers, and this is a trickster tale offering deftly sketched characters and a clever plot. You know when Akye the Turtle gives thanks and hopes he'll be able to repay Ananse, that the wily spider will get his comeuppance. He does, and the story makes us reflect on guests and hosts and the role of greed in breaking friendships. Brightly illustrated in oil and colored pencil. Author's note included.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3Ananse tales are many; nevertheless, this rendition, so full of trickery and comeuppance, deserves space on library shelves. Mollel spins a plot that hums mirthfully along, right in step with Ananse, who is blithely preparing a feast for himself. Never mind that a drought is parching the land and that food is scarceclever Ananse has stored up yams, peppers, rice, and beans and plans to take full advantage. When Akye the turtle gets a whiff and comes calling, Ananse can't turn his friend away and invites him to stay. If that sounds too generous for the wily spider, you're right. Ananse declares the turtle's hands are too dirty and sends himonce, twice, three timesto the river for washing. Akye, who must use his hands for walking, always returns still full of smudge, but by the time he realizes Ananse's treachery, the spider has devoured all the food. Seemingly unperturbed, Akye makes plans for his own kind of feast in a way that undoes Ananse, but will have children cheering. Glass brightens the tale with oil and colored-pencil illustrations and reflects the ongoing drama with changing facial expressions that heighten the humor. Ragged lines and layered colors, toned with rustic hues, give vibrancy and the artist's bulbous portrayal of the spider adds new dimension (literally) to the Ananse lineup.Barbara Elleman, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI

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