Diary of a Spider

by Doreen Cronin

Book Overview

#1 New York Times Bestseller This hilarious picture book from the bestselling, acclaimed author-illustrator team of Doreen Cronin and Harry Bliss tells the adventures of a spider through his daily diary entries. This is the diary . . . of a spider. Actually, he's a lot like you. He goes to gym class and has Grandparents Day at school. But he also spins sticky webs, scales walls, and takes wind-catching lessons. Lucky for him, his best friend is a...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060001534
• ISBN13: 9780060001537
• Release Date: July 2005
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 0.77 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 7.8" x 10.3"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Bright illustrations and easy to follow for little ones...

We love Doreen Cronin's books in our house and this did not disappoint us. We love the illustrations and the story. The kids thought the wisdom shared between the two spiders could be used in their lives as well. Easy for preschoolers to follow and enjoy reading over again.

Caught in the Web

A fun book allowing the reader to examine life from the perspective of a spider ... great illustrations with catchy phrases keep the child engaged - while entertaining the adult reader! Check out Diary of a Worm for more laughs!

Great for Children and Adults

I love that I can read this book to my 3-year-old and get enjoyment out of it. Much like a disney movie, there are themes in the story that are too mature for my 3-year-old, but are extremely funny to me; however, by the end of the story, we both end up laughing.

Delightful!

Doreen Cronin has penned another wonderful "diary." Like her "Diary of a Worm" Cronin has interwoven facts with whimsy. We learn that spiders are NOT insects and they molt. Spider is friends with Worm from the previous book and also with Fly although his Grampa says in HIS day spiders and flies did not get along. In school young spiders are warned about the dangers of vacuums and have vacuum drills. He says, "If we hear a vacuum we should "Stop, Drop and Run!" When they say the Pledge of Allegiance, their flag is a panel from a Spiderman comic book showing the American flag. In many ways Spider's day is like any kid's with a sleep-over and time with friends. The clever illustrations by Henry Bliss add additional humor. As in "Diary of a Worm," the endpapers are full of great vignettes,such as, "Favorite book: Charlotte's Web." This book is a natural pick for elementary school libraries and teacher gifts. The two diaries would also be a "must-have" for junior high libraries to complement life science units. My former students tell me they are never read to in junior high. Class periods are only about 50 minutes long so Cronin's books would fit perfectly and work well with any curriculum. Her humor is simple yet savvy and has appeal for all ages. Her "Duck for President" is essential during presidential election years. After reading this book I will NEVER forget that spiders are NOT insects. There is so much to see in the pictures and the text is so entertaining you will want to read it again and again.

Cute and fun!

My 3 year old son, being an avid spider lover, just loved this book. It contains both humor and simple facts about spiders and their way of life. Written very much like the Diary of the Worm... we found the Spider diary more entertaining and humous. The pics are great too!