Why Leopard Has Spots: Dan Stories from Liberia (World Stories)
Grade 3-6-Paye is a tlo ker mehn from the Dan ethnic group of Liberia; his family's traditional role is to tell stories. He and Lippert have collected six traditional Dan stories. Told in a forthright, nonliterary style, the lively retellings make effective use of colloquial language. Several of the stories feature Spider the trickster, who may be known to kids as Anansi (or Ananse) from other traditional tales. Readers learn "Why Spider Has a Big Butt," what happens when he refuses to do his part on the village farm, and how his greediness is punished. Each selection is preceded by one of Bryan's appealing black-and-white linoleum prints. Endnotes are especially interesting: Paye's description of how he learned each tale is full of information about Dan culture and how stories are a part of the people's daily lives. A map and brief history of Liberia are also included. A good source for storytellers and teachers and a lot of fun for children, especially those who already like Anansi.Sally Bates Goodroe, Harris County Public Library, Houston, TXCopyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.