He attended Cass Technical High School, where he was awarded a National Scholastic Scholarship to Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. It was his fascination with the imagery of African folklore that led him to the story of Anansi the Spider. He is highly regarded for his culturally diverse works inspired by traditional African and Japanese folktales, hero tales of the Pueblos, and the archetypal mythology of Egypt, Greece, and Rome. This is a story that can be read over and over again! (Ages 4 to 9) -Marcie Bovetz About the Author:Ĭaldecott Medalist Gerald McDermott's illustrated books and animated films have brought him international recognition. His distinctive graphic style using bold shapes and brilliant colors is always striking, but is especially well suited to the story of Anansi, with traditional African motifs skillfully integrated throughout the art. He has a rare combination of skills, being both a gifted writer and a talented artist.

McDermott has retold and illustrated many other folktales and myths during his long career, including Arrow to the Sun: A Pueblo Indian Tale, which received the Caldecott Medal, Musicians of the Sun, and a series of trickster folktales from around the world. This profound story reaches children of many ages younger ones see it as an exciting rescue story, but older children are intrigued by the larger themes of cooperation and 'the whole being more than its parts.'Īnansi the Spider, McDermott's first book, received immediate acclaim and was named a Caldecott Honor Book. But which son should receive the prize? Even with the help of Nyame, the God of All Things, he can't decide, so Nyame takes the great globe up into the sky, and that's where it has stayed ever since-the moon, for all to see.

He finds a mysterious, beautiful globe of light in the forest, and decides to make it a gift of thanks.

When Anansi sets out on a dangerous journey and gets into all sorts of trouble, each son does one thing to help, and all their efforts together save their father. This story, retold and illustrated by Gerald McDermott, relates the tale of father Anansi and his six spider sons. Anansi the Spider is a wise, funny, mischievous, and loveable folk hero who pops up in traditional Ashanti tales from Ghana, in West Africa.

Anansi the Spider by Gerald McDermott