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Anansi and the Golden Pot - A Review
Taiye Selasi and illus. Tinuke Fagborun
Written by Taiye Selasi and illustrated by Tinuke Fagborun, Anansi and the Golden Pot is a vibrant story of the joy of generosity.
When Kweku, aka Anansi travels with his family to his father's hometown, he is received by his Nana (paternal grandmother) with open arms. Spoiled rotten with Nana's love, Anansi enjoys his vacation.
He spends his day hauling nets, cooking with Nana, and sipping coconut water, Anansi has the time of his life.
However, he is taken on an adventure when he meets Anansi, the spider!
Anansi, the boy is gifted a magical golden pot by the spider, which can make his heart's desire come true, on the condition that he share it with his loved ones. He gives his word to the spider.
However, Anansi forgets to keep the word he has given to the spider. He shrouds himself in isolation, lest his treasured golden pot be discovered and he has to share the spoils with this family.
He grows weary with loneliness surviving by eating his favorite red-red, which the pot magically whips up.
When his Nana finds out she says "Greed brings grief. Generosity brings joy."
Anansi shares the magical pot with his siblings who are delighted when the golden pot overflows with kelewele and ice-cream.
Anansi realizes that the more you give, the more you will receive.
Based on a Ghanaian folk-lore, Anansi and the golden pot is a delightful story of the joy of generosity. A generous heart is a joyous heart.
The illustration is gorgeous. The elements of cultural diversity abound in this book. The hauling of fishing nets, climbing coconut trees, sipping tender coconut water, basking in the dusky sunshine, watching fishermen return with their catch, pulsate throughout the book.
I loved the red-red that Anansi loved to eat. I felt I could eat it too, it was so evocative.
I am so glad to see diverse books in my local library, reflecting the cultural diversity that we are part of.
Sunday, February 12, 2023
Dusk Explorers - A Review
Lindsay Leslie and illus. Ellen Rooney
To all the wonderful children who loves the long days of the summer months, this is a gorgeously written story about the playful rollicking that awaits them.
School is out and what better way to spend the summer, than rushing out with friends, away from the smart-phone driven world, frolicking in delightful amazement.
Climbing trees, playing leap-frog, kicking-the-can, there seems to be no dearth of games that the children can conjure. The eekeey-crawly creatures that peek out in silent secrecy, staring at the children play games. The fireflies that seem to be casting their glittery glow in the yellow-and-purple dusk. The dark and long shadows that cast a mysterious spell in the night, all seem to harken the kids.
Giggling and screaming with pure joy, the children bask in fun and their parents call to return home is met with plaintive agony. The children go home only to return the next day for another day of ceaseless fun.
With sparse and poetic text Lindsay Leslie, has captured the myriad outdoorsy fun that children can have, if they can put their minds together. Away from the digital-world of endless notifications, nature offers enormous ways to enjoy, only if we know where to seek.
Ellen Rooney has encapsulated the dusky outdoors in charming shades of purple and yellow. From the light purple and pink of the early evening hours to deep-dark purple and black of the late evening hours, she has created a bewitching and enticing landscape which made it difficult for me to disengage from.
It's great to see a book with suburban landscape and diversity thrown in and makes me appreciate the opportunities that are available to the children who are fortunate to live in this great country.
Image source: www.amazon.com | Publisher: Pagestreetkids