Thursday, June 07, 2007

Grandpa Sydney's Anancy Stories

Jamaican writer and poet, Geoffrey Philp weaves a beautiful tale inspired by the West African folklore of Anansi the Spider. Geoffrey Philp’s new book, Grandpa Sydney’s Anancy Stories, revisits the legendary trickster of African/Caribbean lore in a heartwarming story about the relationship between a grandfather and his grandson. Philp’s character, Grandpa Sydney, shares the stories of Anancy with his grandson Jimmy. He tells Jimmy about the cleverness and wit of Anancy and how this little spider was able to overcome and outwit the larger animals.

Initially, the Anancy stories were only bedtime stories for Jimmy. However, Jimmy finds out that there are lessons to be learned from this legendary cultural hero when he comes up against a school bully. Grandpa Sydney’s Anancy Stories is guaranteed to delight and entertain readers of all ages. It is great learning tool for the classroom and an excellent introduction to Caribbean culture and folklore. So, if you love a good story or maybe you’ve never even heard of Anancy the Spider then you need to buy this book.

Grandpa Sydney's Anancy Stories ( Mabrak Books) may be purchased online @ http://www.lulu.com/content/877456.

Press Kits may be downloaded @ Geoffrey Philp's web site: http://geoffreyphilp.com

About the Author: Geoffrey Philp is the author of Benjamin, My Son, Uncle Obadiah and the Alien, Twelve Poems and A Story for Christmas, and four poetry collections, including Exodus and Other Poems, Florida Bound, hurricane center, and xango music. He maintains a web site (http://www.geoffreyphilp.com/generic4.html) and a blog @ http://geoffreyphilp.blogspot.com. He teaches English at Miami Dade College and is the chairperson of the College Prep. Department at the North campus.

18 comments:

Gooders Girl said...

My Granddad use to tell Anansi stories all de while as a child!

He would sit on my bed at night, or we would gather by candlelight at his home in Kingston JA, then when he moved to NYC to live with my Aunt he tell them on the way to buy me ice cream. During the breaks from horse racing....Man I love anansi........

We used to go for walks and he would buy m

Geoffrey Philp said...

Dear Stephen,

Thank you so much for this. I am glad you liked Grandpa Sydney for as you know, this is my first venture in this area so I was really scared of writing a flop.

Thank you my brother. This is inspiring.

Rethabile said...

Wonderful review of a good book, Stephen.

Stephen A. Bess said...

Gooders-
Sounds like you have fond memories of your grandfather. Hold on to those.

Geoffrey-
The fact that you just stepped out in faith is inspirational. Thank you!

Rethabile-
Thank you. I enjoyed reading it.

Anonymous said...

It sounds like another book I need to check out! I will as soon as I can. And another thing I have never heard of and want to learn more on Anasi stories! Thank you for teaching again and for the heads up on a great book! Have a great weekend!

Stephen A. Bess said...

Faith-
Good to see you! Yes, check it out when you can. It's great for kids and adults. I'm going to get one for my goddaughter in Georgia. Thanks and enjoy your weekend as well.

Dance_Soul said...

I'll have to get this and add it to the collection of books that I'm developing for my future children. There is nothing like good literature for the babies. ;-)
Congrats Geoffrey!

black feline said...

generally in asian society...the bonding between grandma and grandchild is stronger....i only remember vaguely my grandfather had 3 wives and he was a Kungfu master which unfortunately none of his children were keen to pick up...

Fabrizio said...

Mmm... good tip for a new comic...

;-D

Fab

Anonymous said...

Peace Brother Bess:

I used to absolutely love Anansi stories when I was little - this takes me back, a good book for me to have. Yes, I'm still here.

Peace.

Cergie said...

Did I tell you that my son Pierre (22 years old) was in Africa (Mali) during two weeks ?
Not for hollidays but to work and study the forest
He was in a village (Korokoro) and slept in a mud little house
There is a tree and all the inhabitants are around that tree to discuss in the shadow
My son was happy of this experience

Stephen A. Bess said...

Dance-
Definitely one to get!

Black Feline-
Your grandfather only had 3 wives?? :)

Essequibo-
Hey brother! Good to see you're still around. :)

Cergie-
It sounds like your son had a time to remember. He'll never forget that experience.

Stephen A. Bess said...

Fab-
That does sound like a great cartoon strip. :)

get zapped said...

This is great! I'll look into Geoffrey's stories. This comes at good time as just this morning, I signed up for a course I've been eyeing for quite some time and I finally committed myself to it. It's a course for writing and illustrating a children's picture book. I'm very excited and can't wait to see what comes of it :) like your post above- the invisible waiting to become visible...

Stephen A. Bess said...

Zapped-
The course sounds fun! I'm looking forward to your children's book in the future. Thanks again.

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

Wonderful review, Stephen. I must tell everyone about it soon!!!

And I must go congratulate Geoffrey now!

Anonymous said...

Thanks to Rethable I discovered your blog - I will revisit often

and yes an excellent review

Stephen A. Bess said...

GG-
Thank you! It's the triple truth. :)

Sokari-
Same here and thanks for stopping in. I'll be back to visit. Thanks. Peace~

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