Full AspenCat Catalog

"The stories of West Africa are about men and animals, about kings, warriors, and hunters. They tell about clever people and stupid people, about good ones and bad ones, about how things and animals got to be how they are. Sometimes they are just tall tales. There are stories about Frog, Rabbit, Turtle, Guinea Fowl, and all the other animals that West Africans know. Some of the stories make you think. Some make you laugh. Here are some of the stories...

Anansi the trickster spider joins Turtle on a fishing trip, intending to trick Turtle out of all his fish. However, Turtle proves to be smarter and ends up with a free meal. Explains the origin of spider webs.

Rabbit has a problem - someone is inside her house and won't let her in.

In trying to determine which of his six sons to reward for saving his life, Anansi the Spider is responsible for placing the moon in the sky.

A variety of animals try to help a hare get rid of the mysterious intruder who has taken over her house.

In this African version of the traditional folktale Stone Soup, Noko the porcupine tricks the other well fed but selfish animals into sharing their food with him and the whole village.

An African folktale about a mouse who pays close attention to her surroundings and avoids being tricked by the cat.

This book explores the gods, goddesses, heroes, villains, tricksters, and quests that make African myths and legends so compelling.

A biography of the folklorist and novelist who recorded the traditional songs and stories of the people of Haiti, the Hopi Indians, and black communities in the South, connecting the African-American traditions to the cultures of Africa.

A collection of African folktales originating in the storytelling tradition.