Oh Kojo! How Could You!

by Verna Aardema, Marc Brown (Illustrator)

Book by Aardema, Verna

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 17, 1984

About the author

A prolific American children's author and teacher, Verna Norberg Aardema Vugteveen - more commonly known as Verna Aardema - was born in 1911 in New Era, Michigan. She was educated at Michigan State University, and taught grade school from 1934-1973. She also worked as a journalist for the Muskegon Chronicle from 1951-1972. In 1960 she published her first book, the collection of stories, Tales from the Story Hat. She went on to write over thirty more books, most of them folkloric retellings. Her picture-book, Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears, won co-illustrators Leo and Diane Dillon a Caldecott Medal. Aardema was married twice, and died in 2000 in Fort Myers, Florida. (source: Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a lonely woman named Tutuola asks the River Spirit for a child in this Ashanti folktale, her wish is granted, and a magical son named Kojo is born. A lazy boy, who would rather spend his mother's gold than work, Kojo bargains three times with Ananse the trickster, bartering for a dog who can fetch firewood, a cat who can catch rats, and a dove who can find snails. Naturally, these wonders don't quite turn out as expected, but the dove does bring Kojo a magic ring that grants wishes. Will his newfound prosperity last, or will Kojo once again fall victim to the wily Ananse...?

Taken from R.S. Rattray's 1930 collection, Akan-Ashanti Folk Tales , this tale was originally retold by Aardema in her 1960 picture book, The Na of Wa . This version of the story is illustrated by Marc Brown, creator of the popular Arthur series, and is sure to please young folklore lovers who like to read of West Africa's clever trickster-figure, Anansi.

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, Kojo! How Could You! By Verna Aardema
In this African tale an old man named Ananse is a trickster. One day Tutuola goes to the river and asks the spirit of the river for a son. He warns her that the son will not want to work but will one day repay her. She goes home and is given a son. One day the son tells his mom he needs some gold because he wants to go to the market. On the way he meets Ananse and buys a dog from him. The second time Ananse tricks him into buying a cat. The final time he tricks him into buying a dove. On the way back home the dove tells him she is the queen mother of the chief of her village. If he will return her then her son will reward him. He takes the dove home and the son gives him a magic ring. He wishes for a village and people. Then he wishes for food to feed the people. Ananse is mad and believes the ring should be his. He steals it back. Kojo send the cat and dog to get the ring back. He is warned that Ananse will try to poison the animals. The cat doesn’t follow directions, but the cat does and returns the ring to Kojo. That is why cats are honored to this day.

[Tori Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was reminiscent of a classic folktale, and my kids liked it a lot. I enjoyed the repetition, the personalities of the characters, and the way everything wraps up nicely in the end.

[Forked Radish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Those who listen to running water instead of human chatter,
Will become wise in all things that actually matter.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Traditional literature, trickster tale, West Africa
The story has three sections: Ananse's tricks on Kojo, Kojo's attempt to outwit him to win the Golden ring, and cat and dog's journey to rescue the ring from a girl who tricks Kojo. This is not the first of the African tales I've read that starts one way and ends up resolving an entirely different conflict.
Marc Brown's pastel watercolors are fun and expressive, a clear highlight of the story.

[Carol Royce Owen · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Ashanti tale that starts out like an African version of Jack in the Beanstalk with a lazy boy who is tricked out of his money by Ananse, but all ends well when one of his trades ends in the boy getting a golden magical ring which he uses to help his village and himself. Then when Ananse steals the ring back the cat and dog, received in earlier trades go to retrieve the ring, and then the message turns to why cats are treated better than dogs.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A woman wishes for a son and is granted her wish; the water spirit tells her that her son will give her problems and will be lazy and be tricked by Anansi but will be a blessing to her in the end. And he is.

[Devin L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an Ananse tale that tells why cats are treated better than dogs in Ashantiland. Good for readers in grades 3-5.

[Rebecca Quiroz]

A great African take turned into story. Oh lojo his mom is definitely taken for the worse in this story. He is cursed!