Anansi and the Magic Stick [Paperback]

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-bookAnansi the Tricksterseries 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… —BooklistEric A. Kimmel, having loved traditional stories since he was a child, has written, retold, and adapted folktales and legends from around the world. Along withAnansi and the Magic Stick, Kimmel has written four other Anansi titles, includingAnansi’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 includeCoyote Steals the Blanket: A Ute TaleandTops & Bottoms. Her books include New York Times Bestsellers, Time Magazine Best Books of the Year, ALA Notable books, and lƒ+