Anansi and the Sheep
Anansi Tales Series
on Goodreads (4)
What’s inside...
The story follows the cunning spider Anansi as he encounters a flock of sheep and inevitably gets himself into a tricky situation. Using his wit and cleverness, Anansi must find a way to navigate the predicament he finds himself in, learning valuable lessons along the way. This story is part of Reading Champion, a series carefully linked to book bands to encourage independent reading skills, developed with Dr Sue Bodman and Glen Franklin of UCL Institute of Education (IOE). Anansi the spider is clever and helpful. When he comes across a sad and hungry sheep, Anansi decides to help the sheep find greener pastures. Along the way, he must also save them both from hungry wild beasts! Come along with Anansi and the Sheep on this fun mash-up of traditional stories! Reading Champion offers independent reading books for children to practise and reinforce their developing reading skills. Fantastic, original stories are accompanied by engaging artwork and a reading activity. Each book has been carefully graded so that it can be matched to a child's reading ability, encouraging reading for pleasure.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-8
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think Anansi wanted to trick the sheep?
How did the sheep feel when they found out they were tricked?
What would you have done if you were one of the sheep?
Can you think of a time when being honest helped solve a problem?
How do you think the story would change if Anansi apologized to the sheep?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to consider each character’s perspective to enhance empathy and understanding.
Prompt your child to relate the story to real-life incidents where they faced similar moral choices.
Discuss the consequences of Anansi’s actions and ask your child how different actions might lead to different outcomes.
Use expressive read-aloud techniques to highlight the emotions in the story, making it easier for your child to grasp the moral lessons.
After reading, engage your child in an art activity where they can draw their favorite scene, helping them connect visually and emotionally with the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: In 'Anansi and the Sheep,' Anansi encounters various challenges which he overcomes using his wit and intelligence, demonstrating the value of thinking through problems.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by analyzing situations in their daily life and thinking of creative solutions rather than feeling stuck or frustrated.
Example Lesson: Cooperation
Explanation: Throughout the story, Anansi learns that working together with others, including the sheep, helps achieve goals that seem impossible alone. This highlights the importance of teamwork.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to value and seek collaboration in group tasks at school or during play, understanding that combined efforts often yield better results.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Actions
Explanation: Anansi faces repercussions for some of his decisions in the story, which teaches children that every action has a result.
Real-World Application: Children can relate this to their actions and behaviors, learning that their choices influence both themselves and others around them, promoting responsibility.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Despite facing setbacks, Anansi does not give up. His perseverance throughout the tale serves as a lesson on resilience.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to persist in the face of difficulties, whether it be in completing a challenging task or resolving conflicts with peers.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: Anansi’s adventures involve coming up with innovative ideas to navigate through his troubles, showcasing the power of creative thinking.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to think outside the box and use their imagination not just in problem-solving, but in expressing themselves through arts, crafts, or storytelling.