The story begins immediately, with the text starting opposite the information page. The oversized pictures allow young readers to see the vivid details which are crucial to the story. For example, on the opening layout, we see Anansi on the branches of thorny tree, while on the background, Elephant is hard at work on his melon patch. Upon seeing how Anansi pokes his way into the melon, it becomes obvious why the focus on the thorns from the previous page was so important. Also, on the following layout, an enormous melon takes up both pages while Anansi pokes a hole with a sharp thorn. The beautiful detail and rich color, allow us to see why Anansi could not resist choosing �the biggest, ripest melon� in the patch. All illustrations are quite colorful, including the dust jacket which features a confused and angry elephant holding a melon with Anansi on top. School Library Journal speaks of the illustrations stating that, "The colorful line-and-wash illustrations are filled with movement and playful energy." The use of space is quite effective as well. On several occasions, the drawings are presented in a smaller frame, allowing white space to be used in making the important scenes �stand out.� For the most part, the beautiful and vivid illustrations take up all of the page, allowing readers to be submerged in the story. There is plenty of texture found in the illustrations, especially in the animals. The tortoise seems to feel rough, while the monkey�s fur seems to feel silky and soft. The vocabulary of the text provides plenty of adjectives, �elephant walked over to the melon patch. �Look at this fine melon. How big and ripe it is!� he said picking it up.� The artistic medium used is without question painterly. The use of water colors is clearly visible, specially in those illustrations containing sky and vegetation.
Both the author and illustrator have teamed up beautifully to create the retelling of a wonderful and non-preaching folktale about not believing everything a melon tells you!
Kimmel, Eric A. 1994. Anansi and the talking melon. New York: Holiday House.
ISBN 0-8234-1104-4.
