DON'T LEAVE AN ELEPHANT TO GO AND CHASE A BIRD

Anancy Spiderman leaves his house one day and through simple acts of kindness increases his wealth before abruptly losing it again. It all begins, according to Berry (Celebration Song, 1994, etc.), when Skygod gives Anancy a corn cob. Anancy bestows it upon the hungriest woman he has ever seen, who gives him water in return. He offers the water to a "sweating family" digging in a hot field; they give him a yam. The yam becomes food for a coal- eating blacksmith, who gives Anancy a tool. His travels continue until he has an elephant, which he loses when he chases a bird. In this case, the journey's the thing: Anancy's path takes readers through Grifalconi's stylized scenes of the African countryside, where bright, batik-like patterns contrast with the solemn brown faces and careworn postures of the people. This is not the first time Berry has tangled with Spiderman Anancy (1989) and readers will hope it's not his last. A vivid tale and a welcome, polished pairing of author and illustrator. (Picture book. 5-8)