Tiger Soup: An Anansi Story from Jamaica

Temple, known for her novels ( Taste of Salt ; The Ramsay Scallop ), reworks a Jamaican tale starring Anansi, the notorious trickster spider, to great effect in this snappy picture book. While Tiger busily brews some sweet coconut-mango soup for himself, a hungry Anansi wonders how to get the chef to abandon his pot. ``Soup time, Anansi, m'dear. Hi-heee!'' he exclaims. The wily spider finally tempts Tiger to take a cool dip in ``Blue Hole.'' Thinking he'll be soon rid of the menace, Tiger dives into the water, leaving his meal unattended. A now full-bellied Anansi, however, will not be caught, and he uses his cunning to pass the blame onto some unsuspecting monkeys. While younger children might be thrown by unusual phrasing, Jamaican dialect gives an authentic rhythm and flavor to Temple's story. Torn- and painted-paper collage artwork often features unusual perspectives. The intense hues of Tiger's coat and the Blue Hole water convey a tropical feel, while smiling brown monkeys and a black Anansi with big green eyes entertain throughout. A script for presenting this story as a play can be found on the inside of the book's jacket. Temple's rare versatility is a welcome discovery. Ages 4-7. (Sept.)