The Very Busy Spider

Eric Carle's Very Series

by Eric Carle

Pictures to feel as well as to see while your hear or read the story from Eric Carle, creator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Early one morning aa little spider begins to spin her web on a fence post. One by one, the animals of the nearby farm try to divert her, each in its own way, but the busy little spider keeps patiently at her work. And finally she gets a chance to show that her web is not only very beautiful, but also very useful.

In this multi-sensory book, children can feel the pictures as well as see them, while they hear or read the easy, rhythmic text. Added to the visual excitement of Eric Carle's vibrant collages of familiar animals is the tactile experience of feeling the spider's web as it grows from a simple line into a complex and beautiful creation. The rhythmic, repetitive text is easily learned and is ideal for use with groups of children as a voice-and-response game, a prelude to learning to read. Listening to the story, children will also learn the typical sounds made by each of the various animals, the animal's name, and something characteristic about it.

A new concept in picture-books, this is perfect for reading aloud and sharing with visually-handicapped as well as sighted children. And all small readers and listeners will rejoice to discover that even the tiny, humble spider has an important role to play in nature's scheme of things.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Storytime, Classics, Nature

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Eric Carle was an American author, designer and illustrator of children's books. His picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar, first published in 1969, has been translated into more than 66 languages and sold more than 50 million copies. Carle's career as an illustrator and children's book author accelerated after he collaborated on Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?. Carle illustrated more than 70 books, most of which he also wrote, and more than 145 million copies of his books have been sold around the world.
In 2003, the American Library Association awarded Carle the biennial Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal (now called the Children's Literature Legacy Award), a prize for writers or illustrators of children's books published in the U.S. who have made lasting contributions to the field. Carle was also a U.S. nominee for the biennial, international Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2010.

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Welcome back to another edition of Tim really doesn't get the love for Eric Carle. I'm your host Tim.

A spider spins a web that grows each page. An animal attempts to seduce it away on the opposite page while the spider continues to be (dare I say it?) very busy. Eventually the web is done and it catches the fly.

Also, the web sticks out so you can feel it on the page.

That's it. That's the book. It's the usual Carle imagery, the gimmick that a lot of his work tries to contain and the repetitive back and forth that he seems to favor. Now I know I've said it in the past, but it is worth saying again, repetition does help children (especially young children) grasp concepts. I'm not faulting him for that. I'm faulting him for the lazy way in which it is so often handled and a book where about half of the pages are the exact same sentence seems a touch too lazy for me.

Here's the weird thing… I don't actually dislike this one. No, it's not a book I love by any means (I really, really don't understand the cult of Carle that seems so strong in children's literature) but I actually give the gimmick here some points and I like the unsaid message about working hard on your goals. I also like from an imagery standpoint seeing the web grow each page.

Rather comically though, as this is one of the few Carle books I don't dislike, it's one my daughter doesn't care for at all… this is my review though and she can give her own one star review later. 3/5 stars.

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the art style for this Eric Carle beginning book about spiders. It looks like he used construction paper to collage the pictures. The colors are so happy and bright.

A spider is busy working. All the animals want to hang out with her, but she is so busy she doesn't even speak to them to tell them she is busy. She is sort of rude. I guess that's the nature of spiders. The animals are so cute.

Young readers should love this.

[Emily May · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure exactly what it is about this book, but my kids loved it! I picked it for my younger son who is not quite two, but my three-year-old was also very enthusiastic about it. I had to read it four times in a row. It's about animal noises and a spider that keeps on building her web and ignoring the mooing baaing neighing raucous around her. I'm not sure what the message is (don't talk to anyone and you'll be more productive? Lol) but that spider makes herself one fine web!

[Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better murder stories I've read in some time. Entertainingly illustrated, with a cast of memorable characters that draw you further into the tale. Like in Prince of Thorns, you find yourself rooting for the villain by the end, tracing your finger along their beautiful instrument of death.

[Archit · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorites in the series!
Such a busy spider it was! Adorable execution!

[Canette Arille · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Very Busy Spider is a book that I decided to read because I was a fan of the very hungry caterpillar :). Indeed, this book is also nice. This is a book for children, but adults can read it too. While reading the book, I smiled slightly, I was happy. The book conveys positive vibes.

[Katharine · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Very Busy Spider" is about a spider that spends all day spinning her web. A variety of different farm animals approach her and ask if she wanted to go do something with them that they enjoy doing. Each time, the spider didn't answer because she was busy spinning her web. In the end, after she finishes her web, she catches and fly and an owl asks who made this beautiful web. But, again, the spider didn't answer because she fell asleep, as it had been a very long day spinning her web. I think this story shows children that determination is a good thing to have. The spider was determined to finish her web and not be distracted by running off with the different farm animals. Her hard work paid off, because at night, she had caught a fly and was ready for bed.

Learning Experience:
In small groups, have pieces of white yarn pre cut on the table, and construction paper with a circle drawn on it. Have the children glue the yarn around the circle and make their very own unique spider web. Then when they are finished, glue a picture of a fly on it, to show their hard work paid off.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

#1465 in our old book database. Rated: Good

A very focused spider stays on task as a series of farm animals invite her to join them in their favorite pastimes. The repetition is a little much but it pays off in the end for the reader and the spider, and there are plenty of fun animal sounds as well as textured pages to keep us engaged along the way to the inevitable and ghastly conclusion.

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Both my children, when small, really enjoyed this story of a spider making it's web. I waiver between 3 or 4 stars for this, it's nice meeting all the animals and they loved the way the web is slightly raised so you can feel it but it is very repetitive to read aloud. They loved it but I grew to really dislike reading this one!

[Hannah Notess · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important message about work-life balance for web developers.

If you develop webs all day and don’t take breaks to socialize you will go to bed not having had any social interaction. Don’t do this!

[Yousra · Rating 5 out of 5]

أقرأ هذه القصة لإبني الأصغر وأقول في نفسي ماذا لو كان الطفلان الكبيران في دأب تلك العنكبوت؟ يا سلام لو تصبح أنت مثلها!

أنثى العنكبوت بطلة قصتنا هي حشرة شديدة الدأب ودائمة التركيز ... طوحتها الرياح يوما لتجد نفسها على سور مزرعة بعيدا عن بيتها الأول ... فبدأت العنكبوت بغزل شبكتها ... تتوافد عليها الحيوانات جميعا ... فالحصان يسأل إن كانت تريد نزهة على ظهره ... والبقرة تسألها إن كانت تريد أكل العشب معها ... والخروف يتساءل إن كانت تريد الجري معه في الحقل ... والمعزة تسألها إن كانت تريد أن تشاركها القفز على الصخور ... والخنزير يسألها عن التمرغ في الطين ... والكلب يسألها لو تحب أن تطارد القطة معه ... والقطة تتساءل لو أنها تحب أن تغفو قليلا مثلها ... والبطة تسألها إن كانت تريد السباحة ... وأخيرا فالديك يسألها: "ألا تريدين اصطياد ذبابة؟" ... وفي أثناء كل ذلك تكون قد انهت غزل بيتها واصطياد الذبابة التي كانت تطير طوال الوقت حول الحيوانات التي تكلمها مطمئنة أن العنكبوت مشغولة ... لقد الازمت الصمت والهدوء ولم تتشتت حتى انتهت من صنع بيتها واقتنصت الذبابة وأكلتها ...في المساء والحيوانات نيام صحت البومة لتمارس حياتها ورأت الشبكة فتحضرت للحديث (الرغي) مع العنكبوت بالسؤال عن الشبكة ومن صنعها ولكن العنكبوت كانت قد غطت في نوم عميق

يحب ابني الأصغر الكاتب كثيرا ويميز كتبه من بين ألف كتاب ... يحبها بالعربية أو الانجليزية أو أي لغة نستكيع قرائتها😅😁 ويوقعني هذا في المشاكل أحيانا فهو يريدها بغض النظر عن أسعارها وأنا صراحة أعلم أن في كل كتاب منها متعة وعلم وتسلية وضحك كثير

هذا الكتاب كان إصدار خاص وهذا من حسن حظنا ولم أكن أعلم قبل الشراء فالكتاب من الكارتون بالكامل ... شبكة العنكبوت بارزة فهي مرسومة يدويا بمحدد ألوان الزجاج والسيراميك الذهبي (ريليف) فيحب لمسه كثيرا

الكتاب به جملة تتكرر مع كل صفحة
but she was very busy spinning her web
وأحب التكرار في كتب إريك كارل فهو يعلم الأطفال

حقيقة كنت مبهورة بثبات العنكبوت وتركيزها وعدم تأثرها بالمشتتات ولا المغريات فكما كانت هناك اقتراحات غير مجدية ولا معقولة كانت هناك اقتراحات تحمل وعودا باللعب والراحة ولكم تمنيت أن يركز أطفالي على أعمالهم فينتهون منها باتقان ويحصلون على ما يريدونه من راحة بعدها! أذكر أنني كنت سريعة التأثر فعلا بما يدور حولي خاصة في الامتحانات إلى أن طورت مهارة التجاهل ... سافرت أختي معي مرة إلى المصيف مع والدينا وكان معي ابنائي ومعها ابنائها ووجدتني اقرأ وحولي مهرجان من الصراخ والتنطيط واللعب والضحك والبكاء ... أطفالي وأطفالها معا ... خمسة أطفال في الغرفة فاندهشت جدا ... قلت لها طورت مهارة التجاهل طالما الأطفال بخير وهكذا استطيع الطبخ والقراءة والتلوين وأعمال التريكو ولضم الخرز وصناعة الاكسسوارات التي ألبسها 😅😁😁

الكتاب مناسب لسن +4

[donna backshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anything by Eric Carle will certainly be a visually awe-inspiring work, but this book also has texture, which makes it even more engaging for little ones.

The basic message is: Introverts thrive in the business of web development. If you keep your eye on the prize, and don't let yourself get distracted with all things social, you'll succeed. (And be pretty lonely, but we don't quite go there in here)

[Margaret Chind · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a birthday gift for my three year old Eric Carl's addict, but it was a perfect read aloud addition to our Miss Spiders Tea Party week for my five year old, first grader.

[Juliëtte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ik vind het leuk dat de opbouw steeds hetzelfde is. Ik kon al raden wat de spin zou zeggen op de volgende bladzijde. De tekenstijl herken ik nog van rupsje nooitgenoeg. Mooie plaatjes! Kan er heerlijk naar kijken. Het boek had van mij meer bladzijdes mogen hebben.

[Alysia Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a warm evening so we opened all the windows for dinner and ate shredded carrots, mashed potatoes, and burgers in the low light. A spirited discussion followed about The Very Busy Spider (Eric Carle), which Finn had motioned for me to read (a new favorite of his). Annabel asserts the book has no real point. I say it's all about the spider's industry. While all the other animals want to goof off (napping cat, mud-rolling pig, rock-jumping goat) the spider is the only community member who works steadily to build something -- a web, which in trapping flies betters society for all. Annabel says catching one fly is not all that and we agree to disagree.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite children's books!

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just hate spiders, even workaholic ones.

[Melanie Kilsby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eric Carle is a classic to me and I love almost all of them!!!
Thankfully, my kids do too :D

[Lauren Salisbury · Rating 1 out of 5]

Should be called the Very Rude, Self Centered Spider

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

From an adult perspective it's rather irking that the spider never answers anyone although I respect her commitment to getting things done. It just hits a little too close to home I guess. From a child's perspective this is mostly about animal sounds of which there are many books that are more enjoyable for us.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

rating: 3.5

The embossed "silky" thread of the spider that the kids can trace with their fingers lets them have an active role in the story telling. They like touching the fly and the spider (sometimes the kids even close their eyes while feeling them), and they like to provide the animals sounds. It's fun when we can read a book together. Depending on the child, I may or may not comment on the fate of the fly. (One of the kids liked the fly better than the spider, so we never said much about the purpose of the spider until he'd out-grown this book.)

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book for identifying animals and imitating their sounds. The spider thread is lightly embossed on each page, allowing a fine texture that can be felt with the fingertips. This makes it very interesting to "feel" the spider web develop on each consecutive page. The tiny size of this book makes it perfect as a bring along anywhere.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, these illustrations are awesome! My sister pointed this book out to me in the library -- I'm embarrassed to say I had never heard of it. It's a really cute story to read to kids to demonstrate the importance of hard work and to introduce various kinds of animals. I like that you can actually touch the pages and you'll feel the spider's web. Very nice touch!

[Shawn Deal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is a very cute story about a spider building her web and all her friends trying to invite her to do other things. Done in water colors, this is a wonderfully bright book.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book to a reception class the other day and then brought it for my boys! Read it to them today and they loved it! Good one for teaching Little’s farm animal sounds :)

[Amy Bruestle]

All of Eric Carle's books are PERFECT reads for all kids!!!!!!!!

[Isobel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The very busy spider teaches children about how a spider spins a web.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Home school reception book of the week.

[John of Canada · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the artwork,and the surprise ending!

[Ronan Crutchfield]

When I saw the animal pictures, my eyes got very wide!