Itsy Bitsy Spider

by Richard Egielski

If you think you already know the story of the itsy-bitsy spider, think again. From a Caldecott medalist comes a dynamic pop-up interpretation of a classic song.

Every child learns the song as a toddler, but they’ve never seen it this way before! Caldecott medalist Richard Egielski brings “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” vividly to life with intricate paper constructions on every the baseball-cap-wearing spider literally climbs up the water spout, and is deluged by raindrops for “down came the rain.” And when the sun magnificently reappears, the spider happily resumes his climb—up to Mama!

Ideal for fans of Robert Sabuda, this pop-up creation brilliantly captures the resilient spirit of a timeless tune and belongs in every child’s collection. Even Miss Muffet would welcome this spider into her library.

Genres: Storytime, Picture Books, Childrens

12 pages, Novelty Book

First published September 25, 2012

About the author

Richard Egielski is an American illustrator and writer who has worked on more than fifty children's picture books, eight of which he authored. He received his education at Parson's School of Design.

Egielski's collaboration with Arthur Yorinks resulted in nine picture books, including Hey, Al, which was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1987. He is also known for his illustrations in The Tub People series by Pam Conrad.

The New York Times named Buz, a book he wrote and illustrated in 1995, one of the top ten best children's books of the year for its illustrations. Jazper, which he illustrated, was also recognized as a New York Times Best Illustrated Book in 1998.

Reviews

[Annissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Copyright: 2012
Number of Pages: unnumbered
Book Format: hardcover
Reading Level: Unknown
Genre: Fiction
Lit Requirement: engineered book

Summary:
This book aligns with the song, The Itsy Bitsy Spider. Inside the book contains a popup spread for each line of the song which both align together nicely. There was a spider why climbs up the water spout. It began to rain and the spider got washed away and then the sun comes out. Read the book to find out what happens last!

Review:
This book has an amazing visual representation of the book. Each picture tells the story on its own, with the help of the words. I believe that the popups on each page were so intricate and will capture a childs attention very easily. I recommend this book to parents of children who are looking for simple but entertaining books.

[Alicia Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used this in my Mother Goose storytime. The pop up element was fun and the kids enjoyed it, but this book should really be used more in a 1 on 1 setting. The colors were bright and the pop-ups had a lot going on, so there was a lot to look at even though the rhyme was simple.

For: Mother Goose fans or fans of pop-up books.

Red flags: characters in peril.

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great idea to make Itsy a pop-up book and Egielski's illustrations are always a delight. However, my book was a little tricky. I totally missed itsy on the first page because he didn't unfold right. The book had to be placed in all kinds of positions on other pages in order to wee what was happening. I also had a hard time with him climbing up the spout because he goes in the bottom of the spout so soon with the page turn I could only see it with the books almost closed.
Great idea, but with my book, at least, bad design.

[E & E’s Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly intricate and impressive pop-up book (and also one I have to keep Elliot from ripping) dedicated to the lovable nursery rhyme about the determined and courageous spider who climbed up a water spout on a rainy day. The author is a Caldecott-witting illustrator, which does not surprise me a bit after enjoying the creative pop-up pages while singing the rhyme. Elliot was a little young for the complex pop-up at 12 months so we will try again closer to 2 years old

At 2.5 yes old, he definitely took better care of the book

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is quite literally the best illustrated Itsy Bitsy Spider book I have ever come across. Does not deviate from the song, but the creativity in the pictures more than makes up for the unoriginal nature of the book.

[kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful pop-up book. Brief, with gorgeous illustrations.

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The kids loved finding the itsy bitsy spider and seeing the song in book form. I had to read it twice before I could move on to the next book. The kids were absolutely engaged.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful pop up version of the classic song.

[Corina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Way to turn a simple poem into an awesome 3-D experience! Great job.