Aaaarrgghh, Spider! by Lydia Monks, Lydia Monks (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

“Monk’s cartoonish illustrations are lively and offer some genuinely funny moments.”—Kirkus Reviews “Monks begins with a visual bang and an unusual premise: a spider wants to be this family’s pet!”—School Library Journal Don’t let this lonely spider frighten you! She just wants to be a family pet—and she thinks she would make a better pet than the typical dog or cat. But every time this clever spider tries to impress her chosen family, she scares them instead, until the day she unwittingly enchants them. Aaaarrgghh! Spider! spins a lively tale about one creature’s efforts to find her place.

Debra Briatico - Children's Literature

In this hilarious picture book, a lonely spider watches a family having fun with their family pets and decides that she wants to join in. Excited by the prospect of becoming the newest family pet, she tries to impress the whole clan by showing them her fancy dance moves, jumping in the bath tub to prove her excellent hygiene practices, and weaving a web to catch her own dinner. Unfortunately, the family does not react kindly to her antics and scoots her outside every chance they get. After three unsuccessful attempts to garner their attention, she decides to go live by herself in the backyard. One evening, she weaves dozens of beautiful, sparkly webs around the yard, and the family quickly becomes enthralled by the awesome sight. They decide to welcome her into their household as the newest family pet. She loves her new role and everything runs smoothly, that is, until she decides to invite all of her spider friends over for a visit. Aaaarrgghh! This comical story and the accompanying artwork perfectly complement each other and create a winning picture book. Children will enjoy touching the sparkly silver webs, which appear on the book's cover, as well as on a spread inside. This book will make a great read-aloud selection. 2004, Houghton Mifflin Company, Ages 4 to 8.

Children's Literature

A lonely spider longs to become a family's pet, but she cannot seem to figure out why the family keeps throwing her out. The little spider is convinced that she could easily be a better pet than the average cat or dog. Her journey to becoming a pet consists of trying to wash herself, dancing for the family, and feeding herself, but she has absolutely no success. As soon as the spider gives up all hope, she wins the family's heart by making sparkling webs in the back yard at night. The family soon welcomes her as one of their own. She rides with them in the car, and they even walk her. Monk's visuals lure the reader into the book, beginning with its bold red cover. On the cover, Monk has the characters' images raised and adds texture to the picture. She also added to the boldness of her book by making the spider's web on the front cover with silver glitter Reviewer: Alysse Green

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1-From the first page, where humans appear to be hanging upside down and a spider takes center stage (the scene is seen from the spider's perspective, as she clings to the ceiling), it's obvious that this is no ordinary tale. Monks begins with a visual bang and an unusual premise: a spider wants to be this family's pet. However, each time the arachnid tries to entertain them, they toss her outside, screaming, "Aaaarrgghh! Spider!" Disappointed, she stalks off to live in the backyard. When the family members peek out the back door and see the trees festooned with glittering webs, they decide she'd make the perfect pet. Although the resolution is a bit simplistic, the story provides a nice showcase for the art. The acrylic cartoons ably capture the wide-eyed, fearful expressions of the parents, their two children, dog, and cat when confronted with their visitor. A variety of patterned fabrics provide visual interest throughout, but the pi ce de r sistance is the backyard bejeweled with webs that shine with actual glitter. The bright red cover with its dangling spider; black, hairy title letters; and sparkling silver webs will entice browsers. Readers attracted by the glitz of Marcus Pfister's "Rainbow Fish" books (North-South) are sure to give this one more than a glance.-Laurie Edwards, West Shore School District, Camp Hill, PA Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

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