''A Story, a Story'' is a children's picture book written and illustrated by

Gail E. Haley Gail E. Haley (born November 4, 1939) is an American writer and illustrator. She has won the annual awards for children's book illustration from both the American and British librarians, for two different picture books. She won the 1971 Caldecot ...

that retells the African tale of how the trickster

Anansi Anansi ( ; literally translates to ''spider'') is an Akan folktale character and the Akan God of Stories, Wisdom, Knowledge, and possibly creation. The form of a spider is the most common depiction of Anansi. He is also, sometimes considered t ...

obtained stories from the Sky God to give to the children of the earth. The book was produced after Gail E. Haley spent a year in the Caribbean researching the African roots of many Caribbean tales. Released by Atheneum, it was the recipient of the

Caldecott Medal The Randolph Caldecott Medal, frequently shortened to just the Caldecott, annually recognizes the preceding year's "most distinguished American picture book for children". It is awarded to the illustrator by the Association for Library Servic ...

for illustration in 1971.American Library Association
Caldecott Medal Winners, 1938 - Present
URL accessed 27 May 2009.

In other media

The book was animated by filmmaker Gene Deitch for Weston Woods Studios in 1971. The animation was carried out at Kratky Film Prague, with the narration by Dr John Akar and "African music recreated" by Dr Vaclav Kubica using African instruments loaned from the

Náprstek Museum The Náprstek Museum is a museum of Asian, African and Native American art located in Bethlehem Square ( cs, Betlemske namesti) in Prague, Czech Republic. It is one of several permanent exhibitions of the National Museum. The museum is situate ...

Prague.

References

American picture books Children's fiction books Caldecott Medal–winning works 1970 children's books African folklore Atheneum Books books {{child-picture-book-stub