The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
funny_bunny_reads's review
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
akooiker21's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This children's poetry book tells the story of a spider with an evil plan and a fly trying to be smarter than the spider. The spider does its best to use convincing words to lure the fly into its web; because of this, the fly must try to outsmart the spider's evil tricks. This book uses a variety of literary devices to convey this story. This book would be ideal for children ages 6-8. In the classroom, this book would be an excellent read-aloud when teaching a unit on poetry and the different literary devices that authors use when writing poetry.
mjfmjfmjf's review
3.0
Pretty cool art and good writing and a great afterward. But a bit too creepy for me.
beecheralyson's review
5.0
Caldecott Honor 2003 - I really, really loved the illustrations in this one. I think DiTerlizzi's choice of a 1920's/1930's film theme was brilliant.
littlebookjockey's review
4.0
This is a poem that has stuck with me since childhood, so I enjoyed being able to read it in picture book format. There are definitely some lessons to learn about dangerous creatures in here.
rhodesee's review
5.0
What a wonderfully creepy and macabre picture book! The illustration style suits the text, which is a poem first published in 1828, so well and helps enhance the sinister tone of the book. This would be great for a Halloween themed school age read-a-loud. My four year old really enjoyed it (her favorite movie is The Nightmare Before Christmas) but I know that she will enjoy it more in a few years when she is better able to understand the story. Anyone who likes a little creepiness in their children's lit should definitely give it a go. It's also great for those horror loving parents who want to give their kids a gentle introduction to the genre.
jiffy1066's review
3.0
I'm torn about this one. I love the illustrations. I like the moral that one should be wary of flattering strangers. And I like the lesson that not all stories have happy endings. A lot of people complain that this story is too dark or scary for children, but it really didn't bother me or my 5 year old. What did bother me was that this story pushes the stereotypical 'male aggressor praying on vulnerable, naive female' trope and I'm not comfortable with that message being pushed onto little kids.
5elementknitr's review
5.0
Outstanding artwork with a definite Edward Gorey feel to it. One of my favorite pages was the secret parlor where is discovered in the background, the trophy heads of the two ghost bugs we've been seeing previously.
Does anyone else do different voices in their head for different characters while they read? I find myself doing this more when the person's voice is described in the book, but sometimes, it just happens on its own.
This book, the spider, on his own, took on the voice of the narrator of The Grinch (animated version).
I love that this tale is very old and created by a woman (Mary Howitt, 1829). I love this version due to the art and the information at the end of the book about the author and the artist.
I especially love that they didn't Disney-ize it, and it ended as originally intended.
Does anyone else do different voices in their head for different characters while they read? I find myself doing this more when the person's voice is described in the book, but sometimes, it just happens on its own.
This book, the spider, on his own, took on the voice of the narrator of The Grinch (animated version).
I love that this tale is very old and created by a woman (Mary Howitt, 1829). I love this version due to the art and the information at the end of the book about the author and the artist.
I especially love that they didn't Disney-ize it, and it ended as originally intended.
ibj's review
5.0
PB 30. This book was absolutely gorgeous. I think it was incredibly creepy, ESPECIALLY WITH THE FLY. WHAT WAS THAT? I think little kids that have a kind of creepy sense of humor (lots of kids) would LOVE this book. I loved this book, but I was very disturbed. I would love to have this in my classroom to recommend to children.