The parade : a stampede of stories about Ananse the trickster spider

Here are seven Ananse stories from Ghana pulsating with mischievous animals, a touch of moral message and, peeping out wickedly above them all, Ananse the trickster spider.

The original title story, The Parade, telling why Ananse became a trickster in the first place, is a worthy opener to six traditional stories including the favourites Ananse and the Sky God and Ananse and the Hat of Beans.

For centuries, Ananse stories have been used in Ghana and the Caribbean to entertain children and teach them good behaviour - and with their vibrant sense of fun and cunning, these stories are sure to have enduring appeal.