Spiders: A Book List for Young Arachnophiles

A few weeks ago I was trying to address the cobwebs on the walls and corners above my desk (possibly some procrasti-cleaning due to a looming book deadline), and strangely found that I couldn’t bear to vacuum up the spiders that were trying to escape, whether they were poised on a freshly-woven web or weakly resting close to an egg sac.

How did I learn such compassion for spiders, I who am not a lover of anything creepy or crawly?

When we got married, my husband introduced me to the spider-catching jar so we could release the creatures instead of killing them. I was terrified of wolf spiders until I learned that they are predators to black widows. Twenty years later my aversion has thawed. Thankfully, my youngest is enamored with spiders, so now he gets the jar and admires them before taking them outside.

Here are some remarkable books about spiders, mostly appreciative. I’m sorry not all of them are in print, but they’re worth noting if you like to frequent used book sales. When books are available through Storyglory Kids, the link is provided. Enjoy.

PICTURE BOOKS

I Worked Hard on That! by Robyn Wall, illustrated by A.N. Kang. Kiara the spider grows from frustration to satisfaction as every web she makes gets destroyed…but she learns to make a better one. Buy from amazon.

Be Nice to Spiders by Margaret Bloy Graham. A boy donates his pet spider to the zoo, and everyone is happy. Helen has good meals, and none of the animals are bothered by flies. But one overzealous zookeeper is a little too thorough in cleaning, and Helen barely escapes. Out of print, but keep your eye out for used copies.

Anansi books. These are retellings of African trickster tales about a clever spider/man. Look for picture books illustrated by Eric A. Kimmel, Taiye Selasi, Verna Aardema, Gerald McDermott, or Gale E. Haley. Two have been Caldecott award winners! You may enjoy this series of articles on Redeemed Reader: A Story, A Story: Thinking Through African Mythology, Africa: A Literary Adventure and a Podcast! (unfortunately the podcast recording is no longer available), Interview with Jane Kurtz on African Stories, and Christ in Literature: The Anansi Stories. Buy from amazon.

The Spider and The Fly by DiTerlizzi. “‘Will you walk into my parlor?’ said the spider to the fly, “Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy.'” And this is the prettiest, hauntingest, most brilliantly humorous and enchanting version of that classic poem portrayed as film noir in black and white. Buy from amazon.

Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider by Jessica Lanan. A jumping spider and a girl in a yellow dress share similar adventures around a garden; imitating, yet oblivious to one another. Buy from Storyglory Kids

The Spider (Disgusting Creatures) by Elise Gravel. Quirky cartoon-style drawings show a spider talking to the reader, saying silly things while simultaneously offering up actual factual information. Buy from amazon.

EASY READERS

I Can Read / Made by God: Spiders, Snakes, Bees and Bats. Each volume in this God-honoring nonfiction easy reader series describes four fascinating creatures with plenty of interesting details and colorful photos.

PICTURE BOOK BIOGRAPHY

Along came a radioactive spider : strange Steve Ditko and the creation of Spider-Man : an unauthorized biography by Annie Hunter Eriksen. I enjoyed this unauthorized biography about Steve Ditko, the creator of Spider-Man. He was a bit of a recluse (like some spiders) and an introvert who shunned attention, but he created a complex character whose encounter with a spider turned him into a legend. Buy from amazon.

Jonathan Edwards by Simonetta Carr. In his youth, Edwards studied spiders and thunderstorms and learned more of the greatness of God from them. He also played a significant role in the First Great Awakening and used his great mind in preaching and writing. For more about this gifted servant of God, you’ll have to read the book. Buy from amazon.

MIDDLE GRADES BOOKS

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White A most beloved story about friendship between a pig and a remarkable spider. If you haven’t read it yet, prepare to be enriched by excellent writing and a delightful, unforgettable story. If you’ve read it already, it’s worth reading again. Buy from Storyglory Kids.

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl. James is an orphan who lived with his cruel aunts until he is thrust into an adventure inside a giant peach along with several overgrown insects and a spider. Buy from amazon.

Larklight by Philip Reeve. Ten-year-old Arthur Mumby, his irritating teenage sister Mytle, and their absent-minded father are minding their own business at Larklight, their earth-orbiting home, when they suddenly find themselves playing host to an invasion of spiders. Not the kind you can whack with a rolled-up newspaper, but enormous creatures with “bodies as large as elephants’, and legs as long as trees.”

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. Bilbo has no interest in adventure, thank you very much, but thanks to thirteen dwarves and a wizard, he is not allowed to stay behind. Trolls, elves, a ring, and a dragon guarding treasure make this a story that never grows old. Oh, and there are spiders. Did you know we have a “Hot Chocolate and the Hobbit” reading guide? Buy from Storyglory Kids.

NONFICTION

Spiders Spin Webs by Yvonne Winer, illustrated by Karen Lloyd-Jones. Poetic, appreciative, with a backdrop of nature in all its seasons, this is a lovely way to help younger children realize the distinctions between different types of spiders and their webs.

Web Watching: A Guide to Webs & the Spiders That Make Them by Larry Weber. This is a great resource for your home library. We often notice spiders and try to identify them, but what if the first thing you notice is the web? How often have you admired one in the grass or the branches of a bush, covered in dew like a diamond shawl? Categorized by type (cobweb, sheet, funnel, or orb) and full of a wide range of photographs, there is much in this book to consider. Buy from amazon.

Like them or not, spiders are an important part of God’s design, and I wouldn’t want to be without them.