Pick of the Day: Anansi Story Favorites (CD)

Anansi Story Favorites.CD. 43:55. Kunama Mtendaji. 2012. ISBN unavail. $10.
PreS-Gr 5–Over the ages, storytellers across the globe have told stories about Anansi the spider and his antics. Anansi is known for his tricks as well as his greed and laziness. In this CD, Kunama Mtendaji uses musical accompaniment, singing, and different voices to retell some Anansi stories, such as “How Anansi Got a Narrow Waist,” “Anansi and the Moss Covered Rock,” and “Anansi and His Six Sons.” Kunama is a masterful storyteller, and he gives each character a unique voice and personality. His narration is enthusiastic, and his pacing captures the heart and mood of each tale. His opening “Reading Bug Groove” song is catchy and fun. He sings parts of the stories and his use of drums, a marimba, a flute, and shekere (gourd shakers) add a unique dimension to the telling. A must-have for library collections.–Kira Moody, Whitmore Public Library, Salt Lake City, UT