Spider Books

Charlotte's Web is a true classic in every sense of the word. Written by a true master, E.B. White, this book tells the tale of a young pig named Wilbur who befriends a spider named Charlotte and their many adventures together. It's a story that children will love due to its timeless, but engaging subject matter.

There's a lot of fun to be had in this book. I constantly found myself smiling at the wonderful light-hearted humor throughout the book. The prose is as crisp as any book I've ever read and paints a very vivid image of a rural Mid-western American setting. Although not as epic as The Wizard of Oz, Charlotte's Web is a masterpiece of storytelling in its own right. The ending to this book is downright unforgettable and utterly moving.

I would recommend this book to any child, if not for its sheer entertainment value, then at least for its strong moral message. Truly, they don't write books like this anymore. It's a good thing we have Charlotte's Web to remind us of the good ol' days when entertainment for children was void of blood, sex, and mindless violence. Unfortunately, I can't say the same about the children's books being produced today.

West's Time Machine
George's Pond: Created in the Beloved Tradition of Charlotte's Web

Being a children's author and teacher, I often enjoy reading Charlotte's Web as a child and now I enjoy reading the book to my son and my students. I think part of the reason this book has remained one of my favorites is because of the classic friendship between Wilbur and Charlotte. Both characters demonstrate an unselfish kind of love that is demonstrated from the time they meet. As a mother I want to teach my children the valuable life lesson of being a good friend and I think this story teaches that lesson in a non-didactic fashion. Charlotte's Web will forever be a classic in my heart.

This story is told from the point of view of Paul, Henri Fabri's son. Paul relates his boyhood experiences being involved with his father's lifework, the study of insects. This is a true "living" science book that will grab your children's interest. Each chapter focuses on one insect that Fabri and his children studied. The pencil drawings focus on the close family relations of this homeschooling family in the 1800's. The drawings also clearly illustrate the insects. This book may inspire the study of an insect and recording the findings in a nature notebook. I look forward to reading more books in this series.

Fabre was such a wonderful writer, such love for the creatures and things he writes about. Margaret Anderson incorporates his own words in this story. It is probably written for ages 7-10, but so beautifully done that older children and adults should love it too. Beautiful book. Hope it comes back into print!

I bought this book for my Grand-daughter. She is not old enough to read, but loves books. Chloe's Destiny is very well written and illustrated. It shows the wonders of God's creation. I also like the glossary at the back for children to learn the meaning of words they are not familiar with.

I believe this is a great children's book. It puts a christian perspective on the science of metamorphosis that is easy and very colorful for a child and even the child at heart! It also has a song about Metamorphosis and a glossary at the back of the book so that the child can understand the words that he or she is reading. Wonderful book!

If you ever wanted a book that explained a day in the life of a Killer Bee Remover/Keeper, this book is right for you. Mr. Booth has a well written account of his daily struggle and rewarding moments of his occupation, including snippets of humor that's sure to bring a chuckle.

It's definately worth reading and sharing with the family, especially for those who may be interested in Bee-Keeping.

This is a fun informative book which reminds me of something Hunter S Thompson would put together. There were parts of the book which made me want to scream with laughter, Mr. Booth has a wonderful sense of humor and wit. Intelligently written with great photo's the book is informative as well as funny. There aren't many books which I'd pick up for a second time and re-read, this was one of those chosen few. This book makes an excellent present for loved ones and friends. It also makes for a great present when looking for something special for people who have everything. Face it Humor is always a welcome present and when you can illustrate a story and learn something, well then you have all the elements in one. I can't wait for a second book to come out. Mr. Booth please publish Book two.

Alfred L.Costanzo Phd.

Fine's language is magical. She's included sensory details, universal feelings, humor, and strong characterization in the form of her cranky cricket in the stable that night. Her unique rendition of this age-old story is a "must" for holiday gifts for children; adults will love it, too. Winslow Pels's illustrations are stunning, right down to the donkey's eyelashes.

A grumpy little cricket just wants to sleep but there is no peace in the stable and the bright star is shinning in his eyes. "Such light. Such Noise. Is there no peace?" Just when he thinks he has found some quiet, Mary and Joseph arrive with a noisy donkey and then visitors arrive.

A shepherd girl scoops up the cricket and holds him high above the crowd so he can see the baby in the manger. Once he has a view he becomes interested in the angels and manger scene. He is so impressed that he decides to sing a song for the baby Jesus, only he can't quite manage more than a "Gar-Reech" because that has been his tune for so long.

Finally he manages to create a "Chirrr-rup Chirrr-rup" and feels he has
become part of the celebration.

Winslow Pels' illustrations fill each page with seasonal beauty in subtle shades of blues, reds and brown with sand-tone backgrounds. Edith Hope Fine's words dance and jump from the page in cricket sounds mingling with the tale of Jesus' birth.

A memorable story with a change in perspective near the end. It shows children that things are not always as they appear and miracles can even be found in seeming chaos.

~The Rebecca Review

You can tell Arnosky really loves children. What a delightful book he's accomplished here of a happy old man named Crinkleroot who loves to explore the forest for butterflies and moths to tell us all about. It's as if he is our grandfather and we are there with him to romp along! Of all the butterfly books I've come across and could only buy one for my daughter, this would (will) be it because of the personal approach included in the adventurous, fun-loving story. Adults and children alike want to "follow" Mr. Crinkleroot along on the "journey." If more books were written in this way I think children would enjoy reading more.
Here's a short sample from the beginning, "Hello. My name is Crinkleroot. I was born in a tree and raised by bees! I can speak caterpillar, moth, and butterfly, all at the same time. And I know every wild critter in the great outdoors! Here on my hat is my friend snake. I call her Sassafrass. We're going to the wood's edge to look for butterflies. You can come too."
On the next page he continues talking to us the readers. As he puts a hand to his head to look he says, "Butterflies and their close relatives, moths, are among the most numerous of all insects. Hmm...Where could they be? This meadow is usually all aflutter with butterflies." And in the picture, they are all flying behind him and Sassafrass, who is riding on his hat, turns around smiling at them. So you see how cute the style is but be assured it is packed full of information and over fourty species of butterflies and moths including their anatomy, life cycles and feeding habits.
From the back cover, "Jim Arnosky has won the Eva L. Gordon Award for his outstanding children's science literature and the Christopher Award for his classic work, Drawing From Nature. As School Library Journal says, 'Nobody captures nature's whims and wiles better than Jim Arnosky."
Check out the other Crinkleroot Nature Guides for you to enjoy:
Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing Birds, CR's Guide to Knowing Trees, CR's Guide to Walking in Wild Places, CR's 25 Mammals Every Child Should Know, CR's 25 More Animals Every Child Should Know, CR's 25 Birds Every Child Should Know, CR's 25 Fish Ever Child Should Know, CR's Book of Animal Tracking, and I Was Born in a Tree and Raised by Bees! Enjoy books with your children. It is not only educational but loving, quality time. Hold them as you read and they will remember your story time forever and pass it on their love of books to their children.

Soar!

This book wonderfully combines factual information about butterflies and moths with beautiful illustrations. The narrator, Crinkleroot, is an overall-clad elderly gent who slightly resembles Kris Kringle. He tells the story of butterflies in a creative and humorous way (even for adults). His pet snake, Sassafrass, also adds to the fun. I discovered this book at the library with my three-year old son. We had such a good time reading through it the first time that I thought it was something we should have on our bookshelf at home.

"Cry Buggie" is a touching "Miss Spider" book release focusing on the character Squirt. Based on a television story, when Dragon sees Wiggle crying, he tells Squirt that Wiggle is a "cry buggie" and big bugs never cry. Later, Squirt sprains his ankle right before a big soccerberry tournament. Squirt is very sad, but remembers what Dragon said, holds his feelings in, and doesn't cry.

Eventually, Squirt learns the truth about crying. Crying is natural, and like rain in nature, something beautiful can come afterwards.

This book teaches an important lesson about about respecting other people's feelings. Many kids have trouble understanding how others feel, and this book gently helps them to empathize. It also explains that tears can be okay, and even useful at times.

This series is really nice. The illustration style is very interesting and unique--bright colors, endearing characters, engaging stories-- you can't go wrong. Both the books and the neat DVDs in the "Miss Spider" series are always based around positive values. The characters are not perfect-- they make mistakes, etc. But in the end they learn important lessons about family, friendship, and how we should treat others.

Interestingly, Miss Spider was herself an adopted "buggie" (you may enjoy the Miss Spider original book). As an adult her own family includes adopted buggies, too. Most children who live with their biological parents will not think twice about this aspect of the series, but kids who have been adopted may appreciate the subtle way in which Miss Spider stories show that adoption is a wonderful way to make or expand your family-- and that what defines a family is love.

This book unveils a marvelous language between animals. After reading it you can not any more smash a bee!

The content of the discovery is impressive : one bee can tell her colleague that there is food at 1 300 meters in the North-West direction... Animals can talk using a symbolic language and we know their words.

The thorough methodology used by Karl van Frisch and his students is very impressive as well. No place is left for doubt. 20 years of experiments are described with a German luxury of details. This is a scientific lesson in those time where we do not accept response time exceeding 2 seconds when browsing the web desperatly looking for information.

This is a fascinating book, completely walking step-by-step through all of von Frisch's experiments. It describes his methods for finding out if and how bees react to different things such as size, shape, color, and distance. It also explains the differences in the bee races and their benefits when hybridized. It is amazing to read about how someone watched this communication, previously unknown, completely unfold into the world of bees where polarized light is your guide, and your dances tell the hive how far away their flowers are, or water, and how good of a source it is.

If you ever wanted to be a cowgirl or live in the old west or visit a southwestern border town or just grow a cactus on your city windowsill, you'll love Desperada-Desperada. The first novel by Patricia L. Lucas sketches life in a fictional border town and pokes fun at southwesterners who live one foot in Mexico and the other in the American old west. Desperada is a U.S. border town, and Desperada is its Mexican sister town. The colorful Desperadans are seen through the eyes of Stephanie, a Chicago art teacher transplanted in the southwest to get her MFA. She decides to live in Desperada to beat university city rents, and spends three years getting to know people like bed and breakfast owner Dona Maria, cantina cook Angie Caldera, town madame Frenchie LaRuse, wannabee Kid Cowboy, teepee dweller/poet Penny Threekiller and mayor Chili Pepper Dan. While she gets her degree, Stephanie learns the Desperadans' histories and shares their escapades. If you want to get away from everything and just have fun for a few hours, try Desperada-Desperada.

If you seek entertainment on the light side of life in the Southwest, you'll definitely enjoy your visit to Desperada. A hoot, a kick and a literary holler, this book reads like a delightful literary cartoon -- poking, poking, always poking prickly-faced fun at characters whose lives and idiosyncracies it chronicles in the fictional border towns of Desperada-Desperada. Women especially will enjoy this book because of its infectious irreverence, verve and style and because all the main characters are female. These ladies run Desperada despite the token (and corrupt) Mayor Chili Pepper Dan, who engages in some pretty outrageous official acts. The plot line is simple. After six years of teaching art classes in Chicago, immature and innocent aspiring artist Stephanie Archer (who lives in fear of her straight-laced conservative father) decides to follow her instincts and study for a master of fine arts degree in the Southwest. Her artist's soul tells her that Desperada is her kind of place because it offers the ultimate bounty -- creative inspiration and challenge. And that was before she ever met the town's bizarre characters -- an Indian poet lariat who acts like Isadora Duncan, a lousy cook who thinks she's Julia Child and operates a cafe called "The Tasty Cantina," a town madam who runs a finishing school, a bed-and-breakfast owner who turns out to be a psychotherapist, a wannabe Kid Cowboy who pulls an empty horse trailer behind his pickup, a rich widow who gets buried in her Lambourghini, and more. These folks may be wacky, but they're all interesting and full of life. In Desperada-Desperada, the sister cities, Stephanie is no longer simply the child of over-protective, insular and judgmental parents. Nope, she's her own woman, making her own judgments, her own friends and her own life. The reader cheers: "Go for it, Stephanie!" An unobtrusive narrator in the style of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Stephanie paints vivid word pictures of the leading citizens of Desperada, all in rich, comic detail. The author "entices readers to chuckle with self-recognition even as they identify with the hapless Desperadans." On another level, the author says she is trying "to make a profound statement about how well (or ill) we in a multicultural world, especially in the Southwest, can live amicably together. On a third level, Lucas says, the literati will recognize the tribute to Southern writer, Flannery O'Connor, in the chapter titled "Amazing Grace" and spot allusions to other comic authors' works "floating in the collective unconscious of readers throughout the world." Fortunately, readers needn't be English buffs or literary detectives to appreciate the humor in some of the lines, such as: "Penny Threekiller likes to say that everyone in town dreams in a foreign language with their own culture's subtitles at the bottom." On the book's back cover, in the words of Angie Caldera, the "Tasty Cantina chef" : "This food for thought will stick with ya. Read it, sweet cheeks!" . .... Kathy Engle, editor, Santa Cruz Valley Sun, Green Valley , AZ

Even though this may be a childrens' book, I've learned more from this book than any other field book I've read.

This is one book that I think belongs in every child's library. It is absolutely fascinating - from the tarantulas having cousins that eat birds and lizards in Australia (but if you watch Steve Irwin you already knew that!), to the fact that black widow spiders just live in Arizona, this is really a page turner and-a-half! Adults will love reading this to the younger ones and alone-readers will enjoy delving into these fun facts about creepy spiders! Did you know that one spider can change itself into an ant? I suppose my only complaint is the last sentence that has the spider saying something like: "come-on honey. Let's make spiderlings together!" I found that quite uncalled for in a child's reading book. Other than that, it's really, really fascinating reading about all the different spiders and it's one of the favorites in this house. Highly, highly recommend!