Anancy and the Haunted House - Softcover

Keens-Douglas, Richardo

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1550377361 ISBN 13: 9781550377361

Publisher: Annick Press, 2002

Synopsis

Anancy was the biggest and strongest spider in the whole town. He had traveled far and wide, climbed the highest mountains, and, yes, scared the most famous people. He loved to boast about his adventures, which, according to him, were bigger and better than anyone else's.

...until the day he swaggers into the haunted house at midnight. Just as his friends warned him, inside Anancy encounters a large rooster that dances on the table. The rooster invites Anancy to show off his talents too, and with all his friends watching, Anancy can't refuse. Suddenly, the rooster pounces and Anancy is pinned to the table. But just before Anancy becomes the rooster's next juicy meal, he is saved by the heroic efforts of his little friends.

Anancy (Anansi) stories originate in the oral tradition of the Ashanti people of Ghana. The character became a symbol of survival when introduced to Caribbean folklore by African slaves. In this original tale Anancy is at times generous and greedy, foolish but wise, and both timid and brave. He teaches us that there is strength in numbers.

About this title

About the Author:

Richardo Keens-Douglas, an actor, playwright, author, and storyteller, has published six previous picture books for children, including The Trial of the Stone and The Nutmeg Princess. His works have appeared on American Bookseller's "Pick of the Lists" and been nominated for the Governor General's Award and the Silver Birch Award, among others. He presently divides his time between Grenada and Toronto.

Stéphane Jorisch is an award-winning artist and designer who lives with his family in Montreal. He has illustrated four previous picture books for Annick Press, including As for the Princess?, which he also wrote, and an earlier book by Richardo Keens-Douglas, The Trial of the Stone.

Review:

Stéphane Jorisch's buoyant watercolor and pencil illustrations ... capture the essence of Anancy beautifully. (Jeffrey Canton Quill and Quire)

It is no wonder that tales featuring the lovable eight-legged trickster Anancy...turn up regularly in children's literature. Most are re-workings of stories which originated among the Ashanti people of Ghana; however Keens-Douglas' tale entitled Anancy and the Haunted House is an original one. As a first class storyteller, the author knows exactly how to produce a written text that mimics the oral tradition.... [Stephane] Jorisch's always bold and often wacky depictions of the characters and setting in this tale should tickle the fancy of readers young and old. The style and length of this Anancy tale makes it perfect, either by itself, or as one of several selections chosen by a teachers or librarian, for story hour presentation. Recommended. (Val Nielsen Canadian Materials 2002-09-20)

About this edition

• Publisher: Annick Press
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 1550377361
• ISBN 13: 9781550377361
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Jorisch Stephane