New South Books
9781486318551/June 2026/Hardback/AUD$26.99, NZD$32.99
We don’t mind spiders in this house which is probably just as well because we always have a few in residence, as well as the giants down the backyard. But even when she was Small, The Kid was just as intrigued and interested in arachnids as she was the feathered, furred and scaley critters. I did draw the line at her adding a rainforest tarantula to her zoo when I took her to the Daintree years ago but she would have loved to add one to her mini-beasts collection.
This rhyming narrative non-fiction from sisters, Caitlin and Annie, provides children with a greater understanding of spiders which, yes, can be dangerous if you poke them but who, in general terms, are happily concerned with their own business not ours. I love that this pair of creators grew up ‘in nature’ with their parents running a nature education centre, and now have a focus on bringing information to young readers to help them learn in turn.
Several pages of prose information plus a glossary and illustrator’s note complete this one. Kiddos will enjoy it very much – and how much could you get out of this in your mini-beasts unit – especially making some lovely spiders! Get out the Anansi stories and the pipecleaners for some spidery action stations – these guys have always been a big hit with the kiddos in my libraries. Don’t they just have that rasta vibe!? It’s a 4 🕷️🕷️🕷️🕷️rating for most primary kiddos.
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