Anansi and the Talking Melon [Paperback]

When Anansi the Spider gets stuck in a melon, he decides to pass his time by doing what he's best at—tricking the other animals around him.
 
When his melon begins talking, Elephant is so impressed he decides to take it to show the king.  But Anansi can't resist the opportunity to make jokes at the expense of everyone they meet. Even the King loses his temper over Anansi's bold remarks—but how will the Spider free himself?
 
Anansi's quick thinking will delight readers who love to watch a master trickster at work, and the bold illustrations of the animals' frustrated faces are sure to make kids laugh. 
 
Based on tales originating in West Africa and familiar in Caribbean culture, the five-bookAnansi the Tricksterseries is full of slapstick humor and mischief. Eric A. Kimmel’s imaginative retellings combined with Janet Stevens’ expressive illustrations create the perfect silly stories for fun-loving kids. A surefire hit. —School Library Journal(Starred 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. —Kirkus ReviewsEric A. Kimmel, having loved traditional stories since he was a child, has written, retold, and adapted folktales and legends from around the world. Along withAnansi and the Talking Melon, Kimmel has written four other Anansi titles, includingAnansi’s Party Time, which was awarded Bank Street College’s Best Children’s Book of the Year in 2008. Dr. Kimmel lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife Doris.
 
Janet Stevens has written and illustrated popular books for over 30 years. Some of her titles includeCoyote Steals the Blanket: A Ute TaleandTops & Bottoms. Hel³°