LANGUAGE ARTS / CREATIVE WRITING Why Spiders Hide in Corners (Anansi Makes It So ) is a delightfully told story that will engage both the reader and all whom have gathered around for the telling of this tale. Why Spiders Hide in Corners was inspired by an Anansi story that had a violent end. The author's original spin of this story was first written and published in a Simon and Schuster bestseller (Talk That Talk: An Anthology of African and African American Storytelling) as Why Spiders Hide in Corners. Why Spiders Hide in Corners can now be enjoyed in four major world languages: English, French, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese, noting that translation will vary according to which edition is in translation. Why Spiders Hide in Corners (Anansi Makes It So )continues with our mission to publish folktales, stories and authors who promote and perpetuate "oral literature" that encourages family time, wellness and meaningful play through the art of storytelling. Cover illustration is by noted visual artist, Tasica Singleton. She brings J'miah's vision of an Anansi (Ananse) with graphics reflective of Anansi, the spider-man, Ashanti nation and Kente-cloth origins. Here within is a "let's do" story that promises to be fun for all. Enjoy Books for Growing Minds(TM) Summary Rabbit decides to visit his friend, Anansi, the spider-man, whom he hasn't seen in quite a while. Wanting to celebrate their friendship, Rabbit invites Anansi to join him in making a drum. From his cozy hammock, Anansi refuses with excuses of being too sick to get involved with drum-making. Alone, Rabbit works hard at making his "friendship" drum. While Rabbit is resting from the day's hard work at drum-making, he soon finds Anansi playing his drum, the very same drum he was supposedly "too sick" to help make. Anansi ends up in an embarrassing situation, one that we all may come face to face with from time to time. Cultural Enrichment Useful "interactive" information on ANANSESEM (the telling of Ananse stories) follows the story and is based on the author's workshops/artist residencies. "NOTES" pages complete the book for your continued enjoyment. "The students at Jasper Elementary love J'miah. (The teachers at our school find him to be a full partner in curricular planning and implementation of lessons and units.) J'miah can tell stories, write and direct plays that are performed school-wide, teach small groups and make children laugh and smile. If he had a cape, he could fly . . . at least the children think so." Dr. Kathleen Thompson, Retired Arts Educator/Director of Cultural Projects (Georgia Council for the Arts)