Kimmel, Eric A., and Janet Stevens. Anansi and the
Talking Melon. New York: Holiday House, 1994. ISBN: 0823411044.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
One morning Elephant went out to work in his
garden, where he was taken by surprise when one of his melons started talking
to him! He thought surely a talking melon should be shown to the king, and so
off he started. Along the way, the melon continued its chatter as Elephant
encountered more animals. Each joined the entourage to take the melon to the
king. The melon insulted the king, who hurled it away, causing the melon to
burst into pieces. When the melon broke, the black spider inside was released
and scurried away.
3.
CRITICAL
ANALYSIS
The Elephant in
this book, and Chicken Little from the book Chicken
Little, would be great friends! Just like Chicken Little was confounded by
the sky falling, Elephant is unable to fathom why a melon would talk. Kimmel
does a great job telling the story in simple language that is easy to follow,
but not forced or stilted. He also uses a great deal of dialogue, which makes
the characters more personable. The final encounter with the king was a little
abrupt, however. There wasn’t enough description of the encounter to make it feel
complete.
As a retelling of a traditional tale, the story of Anansi lends itself well to being read aloud. It would also work well in a reader's theater setting. Kids will enjoy acting out the parts of the different animals, especially the part of the spider! As a traditional tale, though, it is hard to pinpoint exactly where the tale originates. An adult will be able to place it in Africa based on the animals depicted. A child would probably not be able to discern that. Regardless, its universal message will appeal to a wide audience.
As a retelling of a traditional tale, the story of Anansi lends itself well to being read aloud. It would also work well in a reader's theater setting. Kids will enjoy acting out the parts of the different animals, especially the part of the spider! As a traditional tale, though, it is hard to pinpoint exactly where the tale originates. An adult will be able to place it in Africa based on the animals depicted. A child would probably not be able to discern that. Regardless, its universal message will appeal to a wide audience.
Janet Steven’s
illustrations of Anansi and the Talking
Melon compliment the text perfectly. They are a little whimsical, which
matches the characters’ quest to take the talking melon to the king. The
animals’ expressions and body language depict their confusion and amazement well.
Elephant’s ears are particularly interesting in the illustration where he first
discovers the melon can talk. Kids will enjoy looking at the animals’ different
expressions and actions as they travel with Elephant to the see the king.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Caldecott Medal
Winner
BOOKLIST: With
perfect pacing and repetition and with surprising reversals up to the very last
page, this is a great choice for reading aloud and storytelling.”
KIRKUS
REVIEW: “Stevens's funny animals are delightfully expressive, while
Anansi's spider-level perspectives provide generous close-ups of melons, a
hippo, a warthog, et al. Good-spirited tomfoolery, with storytelling that reels
along with the ease of a seasoned prankster.”
Starred Review, SCHOO LIBRARY JOURNAL: “The colorful line-and-wash illustrations are filled with movement and playful energy. Stevens's anthropomorphic animals are both expressive and endearing. A surefire hit.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Trickster tales
are always favorites with children. Anansi
and the Talking Melon would serve well as one of several to study this
genre.
*Other trickster
tales:
Aardema, Verna.
WHY MOSQUITOES BUZZ IN PEOPLE’S EARS: A WEST AFRICAN TALE. ISBN: 0140549056
McDermott, Gerald.
JABUTI THE TORTOISE: A TRICKSTER TALE FROM THE AMAZON. ISBN 0152053743
McDermott,
Gerald. RAVEN: A TRICKSTER TALE FROM THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. ISBN 0152024492
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