That famous West African trickster Anansi is at it again in this picture-book from author Eric A. Kimmel and illustrator Janet Stevens, the first of a number of titles they created that detail the spider's adventures. Discovering a moss-covered rock in the forest that knocks out anyone who speaks a certain phrase aloud - "Isn't this a strange moss-covered rock" - Anansi uses this knowledge to incapacitate each of the other animals in the area, thereby gaining the time necessary to steal their food. It falls to shy Little Bush Deer, who has been hiding in the forest and has seen everything, to turn the tables and trick the trickster...

Anansi is a well-known and beloved trickster figure, one who originated with the Akan people of Ghana, but who also has a significant role in the folklore of other West African nations, the Caribbean, and African-America. In some tellings he takes the form of a spider, and in some, a man. As someone who greatly enjoys stories devoted to his tricky adventures, I picked up Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock with some anticipation, especially as I have read other folkloric retellings from both Kimmel and Stevens. On the whole, I enjoyed both story and artwork here, although I was disappointed to see that Kimmel did not include an author's note detailing his source material. This is something I particularly look for in folkloric retellings, and it was a surprise to find it missing here, as I know the author has included such notes, however brief, in many of his other titles. Leaving that aside, this was an engaging retelling, and is one I would recommend to young folklore enthusiasts, particularly those who appreciate trickster tales. Readers looking for more Anansi stories might also want to pick up either Adwoa Badoe's The Pot of Wisdom: Ananse Stories or Peggy Appiah's Tales of an Ashanti Father, both of which are excellent. Joyce Cooper Arkhurst's 1964 collection, The Adventures of Spider: West African Folktales, is also engaging, and has the added interest of being the very first title that celebrated African-American artist Jerry Pinkney ever illustrated. ( )

Anansi the Spider finds a strange moss covered rock in the forest. When anyone comments on the “strange moss covered rock”, they wake up hours later confused about what had happened. Anansi takes advantage of this knowledge and uses it to trick all of his animals “friends” and steal their food. Unfortunately for him, Little Bush Deer was hiding in the forest brush and watched the whole thing unfold. She concocted a plan to trick Anansi and give all the food back. The slapstick humor delights readers of all ages! Students delight that Anansi gets beat at his own game. Don’t think for a minute that Anansi has learned his lesson. Other books in this series find Anansi up to no good again and again. This makes for a fabulous read aloud and is an excellent addition to an ELA unit on folklore.

When Anansi the Spider finds a strange moss-covered rock in the forest, he uses it to trick all his animal friends. But Little Bush Deer is onto Anansi's scheme, and hatches a plan to beat him at his own game.

Based on tales originating in West Africa and familiar in Caribbean culture, the five-book Anansi the Trickster series is full of slapstick humor and mischief. Eric A. Kimmel's imaginative energy combined with Janet Stevens' expressive illustrations create the perfect silly stories for fun-loving kids.

I thought this was such a great book. It really showed what goes around, comes around. Anansi was such a little trickster but the Little Bush Deer was too smart to fall for the same trick and was able to give him a taste of his own medicine. The Little Bush Deer saved the day and was able to return all of the food to the animals in the forest. It was a fun read aloud and taught a great little lesson. I would definitely use this book again in the classroom. ( )

Anansi is the Bart Simpson of the mythical world and we had so much fun watching him play tricks. ( )