When Anansi the Spider gets stuck in a melon he decides to pass his time by doing what he s best at--tricking the other animals around him. When his melon begins talking Elephant is so impressed he decides to take it to show the king. But Anansi can t resist the opportunity to make jokes at the expense of everyone they meet. Even the King loses his temper over Anansi s bold remarks--but how will the Spider free himself? Anansi s quick thinking will delight readers who love to watch a master trickster at work and the bold illustrations of the animals frustrated faces are sure to make kids laugh. 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.