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KIRKUS REVIEWS
The creepy-crawly close-up photo of a hairy spider on the cover will have kids (and adults) saying "Yuck!" while they grab the book to look for more inside. As with other Simon photographic nonfiction, this presents information on spiders in…
The creepy-crawly close-up photo of a hairy spider on the cover will have kids (and adults) saying "Yuck!" while they grab the book to look for more inside. As with other Simon photographic nonfiction, this presents information on spiders in easy, understandable prose. The facts are made relative-for example, "jumping spiders can leap a distance of 40 times the length of its own body, the same as if you jumped the length of two basketball courts and made a slam dunk." Examples interestingly describe the facts, e.g., "some spider silk is three times stronger than steel wire of the same thickness." This is casual nonfiction, no chapters, categories, or index, but the amazing close-up color photos make the almost conversational text captivating. A subject that both fascinates and repels at the same time, this mini-documentary will have kids spinning their own stories about the spiders they've now discovered. (Nonfiction. 6-10)
[ Read more ]SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library
Gr 4-6. Stunning visuals of a variety of spiders highlight this introduction. A full-page, sharp, color close-up photograph of a representative spider alternates with a page of text throughout most of the book; several are extreme close-ups, so detailed that…
Gr 4-6. Stunning visuals of a variety of spiders highlight this introduction. A full-page, sharp, color close-up photograph of a representative spider alternates with a page of text throughout most of the book; several are extreme close-ups, so detailed that individual hairs on the spiders' legs and bodies are visible. The smoothly written text briefly describes major physical and behavioral characteristics common to all spiders; some distinctive characteristics of about a dozen particular kinds (e.g., tarantulas, fishing spiders, funnel-weaving spiders, etc.); senses of sight and touch; web construction; hunting techniques; uses of spider silk; and life cycles. The well-organized text is succinctly written, with scientific terms defined as they appear. The lack of captions is disappointing, for not all of the creatures can be easily identified from the text. Still, Simon's book compares well with such standards as Claudia Schnieper's Amazing Spiders (Carolrhoda, 1989; o.p.) and Sandra Markle's Outside and Inside Spiders (Atheneum, 1994). Although those titles offer more detail on physiology and anatomy (both describe how spiders feed as well as how they mate), Simon does an excellent job of covering the basics. The readable text and outstanding photography will appeal both to report writers and browsers.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
CHILDREN'S LITERATURE, Peg Glisson
From the front cover to the last page, Simon uses absolutely stunning visuals as he presents information about spiders in clearly-written, understandable prose without talking down to his reader. Each image appears to align with the information on its page; however, the lack of captions is a significant flaw in this otherwise excellent nonfiction book. Simon covers general and specific physical characteristics, as well as behavioral traits of many spiders, often with a sense of awe: “Jumping spiders can leap …40 times the length of its own body,” the equivalent of a person jumping the length of two basketball courts and sinking the ball! His use of relative examples like this helps make the information accessible. Scientific terms and their meanings are woven into the text to facilitate understanding. Simon wisely builds on the power of the book’s images to draw the reader into the text. Those who take the time to read as well as to look will be richly rewarded. This Smithsonian/Collins edition is a slightly-repackaged version of the 2003 HarperCollins edition. There are small changes in layout, design, and size as well as more identified spiders.
From the front cover to the last page, Simon uses absolutely stunning visuals as he presents information about spiders in clearly-written, understandable prose without talking down to his reader. Each image appears to align with the information on its page; however, the lack of captions is a significant flaw in this otherwise excellent nonfiction book. Simon covers general and specific physical characteristics, as well as behavioral traits of many spiders, often with a sense of awe: “Jumping spiders can leap …40 times the length of its own body,” the equivalent of a person jumping the length of two basketball courts and sinking the ball! His use of relative examples like this helps make the information accessible. Scientific terms and their meanings are woven into the text to facilitate understanding. Simon wisely builds on the power of the book’s images to draw the reader into the text. Those who take the time to read as well as to look will be richly rewarded. This Smithsonian/Collins edition is a slightly-repackaged version of the 2003 HarperCollins edition. There are small changes in layout, design, and size as well as more identified spiders.
[ Read more ]BOOKLIST, Chris Sherman
Gr. 2-5. The stunning cover may repulse squeamish arachnophobes, but fearless types will be fascinated by Simon’s foray into the world of spiders. In his now familiar picture-book format that pairs incredible photographs with graceful, clear prose, Simon provides a…
Gr. 2-5. The stunning cover may repulse squeamish arachnophobes, but fearless types will be fascinated by Simon's foray into the world of spiders. In his now familiar picture-book format that pairs incredible photographs with graceful, clear prose, Simon provides a wealth of information about different types of spiders, their characteristics, habits, and life cycles. The large, full-color, uncaptioned photographs of highly magnified spiders (a tiny note at the end of the book explains that the photos are not actual size) tempt browsers to look at all the pictures first, but browsers will soon be drawn to the text to learn about what they are seeing. What a neat trick! The only thing that's missing is a map showing the distribution of particular spiders; it would have been reassuring to see that fearsome species don't necessarily live next door.
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