Anansi Does The Impossible!
Verna Aardema
Anansi Does The Impossible!
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
An Ashanti Tale
by Verna Aardema
Illustrated by Lisa Desimini
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
What if all the stories in the world were locked away by the Sky God? Imagine a clever little spider named Anansi who must find a live python, a real fairy, and forty-seven stinging hornets to get them back. Can Anansi and his smart wife Aso outwit the Sky God and bring the folktales home? The adventure seems impossible!
Themes
Quick Assessment
This charming retelling of an Ashanti folktale introduces young readers to Anansi, a clever spider who embarks on a quest to reclaim all the folktales from the Sky God. Suitable for early readers aged 5 to 8, the story blends humor and folklore while celebrating wit and teamwork. Parents should know this book contains themes of folklore and fantasy, presented in a lighthearted and accessible way.
Why we rated Anansi Does The Impossible! 7C
Anansi Does The Impossible! is written at a Level 2 reading level across 32 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Anansi Does The Impossible! works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Anansi Does The Impossible! as 7C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Anansi Does The Impossible! explores folklore, legends, myths, & fables, fairy tales & folklore - african, animals - insects, spiders, etc., humor, and adventure — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about folklore, legends, myths, & fables, fairy tales & folklore - african, animals - insects, spiders, etc..
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780689839337
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Aladdin
- Published
- November 1, 2000
- Type
- Nonfiction