The Spider and the Fly

The Spider and the Fly

Title: The Spider and the Fly

Genre: Poetry

Author: Mary Howitt

Illustrator: Tony DiTerlizzi

Awards: 2003 Caldecott Honor Book

Age group: 6 and up

This book was actually based off a popular poem from 1829.This book was amazing to read, with its beautiful illustrations and captivating story. It is a book in which I believe can be for any age, even though its story is somewhat dark.

Summary:

 In this poem/story-like book the setting is a in a bedroom of sorts. A pretty little fly is passing by and a spider recognizes this and tries to tempt her to come inside his house. He asks her if she’d like to sleep in his bed and she says no because she heard people don’t wake up from that. Then he offered her some food from his pantry and she refuses, saying she knows what’s in his pantry and she doesn’t want to see it. But the spider still tries to flirt with her but, she does say farewell. But then the spider feels he is not finished yet, so he sets a trap. He called out pretty things about the fly to tempt her in, knowing she would come back, and when the fly comes back and she comes close the spider catches her and takes her inside and she never comes out again. In the end it gives a warning to children to not fall for flattery or else this will happen to you.

I believe this could be a great book for my classroom. It has great Illustrations and little text and would make for a great read aloud.

I believe the appropriate grade level for this book is Kinder-2nd grade because it is relatively short and has very few words to page. It is mostly easy to read and with pictures to help understand the story. Though this story does talk about a serious lesson or moral which the child might not understand at first. But this book can be a great read for all ages even after 2nd grade.

I believe this book can be used as a themed book to read during Halloween time because it is sort of spooky. It could also be used to show how an author uses the illustrations and theming of the book to show off the style of the story, like how this black and gray theme of the books illustrations goes with its dark and spooky story.

HAVE FUN READING!💙-Lacy