Once upon a time in a small village, there lived a young boy named Anamsi. Anamsi was a curious and adventurous boy who loved exploring the forest near his house. One sunny day, while wandering through the forest, he stumbled upon an old wooden stick lying on the ground. Curiosity got the better of Anamsi, and he picked up the stick. As soon as he touched it, a bright light emanated from the stick, and Anamsi felt a surge of energy flowing through him. Little did Anamsi know, but he had just discovered a magic stick.
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
But when they tease him for being lazy, he says he is hard at work thinking and will have to find a new place to sleep, that is to think, for all the noise they are making. Based on tales originating in West Africa and familiar in Caribbean culture, the five-book Anansi the Trickster series is full of slapstick humor and mischief.
Little did Anamsi know, but he had just discovered a magic stick. Excited about his newfound treasure, Anamsi decided to test its powers. He pointed the stick towards a nearby tree and said, "Grow!" To his amazement, the tree started growing rapidly, reaching heights that he had never seen before.
Anansi and the Magic Stick
When the other animals laugh at his messy house, Anansi the Spider is embarrassed. He wants to fix the problem . . . as long as he doesn't have to work too hard.
Stomping off in a huff, Anansi stumbles into an amazing secret—Hyena has a magic stick that follows his orders. If he steals it, the spider thinks, he'll have the neatest home in town and he'll never have to work again.
But the magic might be more than Anansi bargained for.
Based on tales originating in West Africa and familiar in Caribbean culture, the five-book Anansi the Trickster series 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.
". An enjoyable offering that is clever, funny, surprising, and traditional all at once."—School Library Journal
"Stevens's comic creatures with their surprised expressions add kid appeal."—Publishers Weekly
" The slapstick of the trickster out-tricked is a lot of fun, and preschoolers will want to join in the rhythmic chant, "Hocus pocus, Magic Stick…"—Booklist
Eric A. Kimmel, having loved traditional stories since he was a child, has written, retold, and adapted folktales and legends from around the world. Along with Anansi and the Magic Stick, Kimmel has written four other Anansi titles, including Anansi’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 include Coyote Steals the Blanket: A Ute Tale and Tops & Bottoms. Her books include New York Times Bestsellers, Time Magazine Best Books of the Year, ALA Notable books, and a Caldecott Honor. She is most proud of her numerous state book awards that were voted on by young readers. She has two children and lives in Boulder, Colorado.
". An enjoyable offering that is clever, funny, surprising, and traditional all at once."—School Library Journal
"Stevens's comic creatures with their surprised expressions add kid appeal."—Publishers Weekly
" The slapstick of the trickster out-tricked is a lot of fun, and preschoolers will want to join in the rhythmic chant, "Hocus pocus, Magic Stick…"—Booklist
Anamsi couldn't believe his eyes. He had the power to make things grow. Anamsi continued experimenting with the stick, discovering new abilities along the way. He could now make flowers bloom, create a gust of wind, and even heal wounded animals. The magic stick had bestowed upon him incredible powers, and he felt a sense of responsibility to use them for the greater good. News about Anamsi's magical adventures soon spread throughout the village. People came from far and wide to witness his powers. They were amazed at what he could do and sought his help whenever they faced any troubles. Anamsi became known as the village's protector and savior. However, not everyone in the village was happy about Anamsi's powers. Jealousy and envy crept into the hearts of a few villagers. They plotted to steal the magic stick from Anamsi, hoping to attain its powers for themselves. One night, while Anamsi was asleep, the jealous villagers sneaked into his house. They managed to take the magic stick and hid it deep within the forest. When Anamsi woke up and realized that his precious stick was missing, he felt devastated. He knew that without its powers, he could no longer help those in need. Determined to retrieve his magic stick, Anamsi embarked on a dangerous journey into the heart of the forest. He faced numerous challenges, from wild animals to treacherous paths, but he never gave up. After days of searching, he finally found the hidden spot where the stick was concealed. Anamsi reclaimed his magic stick and returned to the village victorious. The villagers rejoiced upon seeing him reunited with his powers. They realized the importance of unity and respect for one another's abilities. From that day forth, the village thrived under Anamsi's protection and the magic stick became a symbol of hope and unity. And so, Anamsi continued his adventures, using the magic stick to make the world a better place. His story is still told to this very day, reminding us of the power of kindness, courage, and the magic within ourselves..
Reviews for "Anamsi's training with the magic stick"
1. Kate - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Anamsi and the magic stick". The story felt disjointed and the characters were flat and uninteresting. The magic stick itself was never fully explained or explored, making it difficult to fully engage with the plot. The writing style was also lacking, with awkwardly phrased sentences and repetitive descriptions. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and I wouldn't recommend it.
2. John - 1 star - "Anamsi and the magic stick" was a complete waste of time. The story was predictable and cliché, with no originality or substance. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult to care about their journey. Additionally, the writing was filled with grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, which further detracted from my enjoyment. I would advise anyone considering reading this book to steer clear.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high expectations for "Anamsi and the magic stick", but unfortunately, they were not met. The story felt rushed and poorly developed, with important plot points and character motivations left unexplained. The magic stick itself was underutilized and its potential was never fully explored. Additionally, the dialogue was stilted and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it.
4. Michael - 2 stars - "Anamsi and the magic stick" was a letdown. The story had potential but ultimately fell flat. The pacing was inconsistent and the plot lacked depth and complexity. I also found the writing to be juvenile and lacking in sophistication. The characters were shallow and their motivations were unclear. Overall, I found this book to be unsatisfying and would not recommend it.
5. Emily - 1 star - I couldn't finish "Anamsi and the magic stick". The writing was incredibly dull and the story had no excitement or tension. The characters were forgettable and lacked any sort of development. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the story. Overall, this book was a complete bore and I would not waste my time on it.