Spiders: Biggest! Littlest!

by Sandra Markle, Simon Pollard (Photographer)

One spider is as big as a dinner plate. Another one is as tiny as the tiniest raindrop. How does it help a spider to be so big? And how could it help another spider to be so small? Spiders Biggest! Littlest! answers these and other fascinating questions. Stunning photos of spiders from around the world show how spiders live. Each kind has features—big or small—that help it live in its special part of the world. The variety of eight-legged silk spinners is amazing, and some of the most astonishing examples are here in the latest offering by internationally recognized science writer Sandra Markle.
The photographs are by Dr. Simon Pollard, who has traveled the globe to study how spiders live and snap their photographs along the way. Young readers will quickly find themselves bitten by a new fascination for some of nature's most interesting creatures.

Genres: Animals, Science

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2004

About the author

Sandra Markle is the author of more than two hundred children's books, which have won numerous awards, including Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book, IRA/CBC Children's Choice, NSTA/CBC Outstanding Trade Books for Children, NCTE Orbis Pictus Recommended, and ALA Notable Books for Children. She lives in Lakewood Ranch, Florida and frequently travels to schools sharing her program "Sandra Markle's Books Are REAL Adventures."

Reviews

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bleck, bleck, bleck!

I wanted to give this book 1 star because it grossed me out so badly. I was literally gagging a little with the pictures. Gross, gross, gross! So, why, you ask, was I torturing myself? It's because I've been trying to read all the books I put out in my class library. This book was part of a set meant for fifth grade. Honestly, I do not think this book is on a fifth grade level. It's more 2nd or 3rd, based on the text.

It was not poorly written, but I was so disgusted I can't give it above a three, which I felt was generous. I tried to read without looking at the pictures. Just thinking about it is making me feel sick. I believe I really do have just a titch of arachnophobia, based on my reaction to this book. I don't care a jot about spiders and how they live. They're so gross and I like to pretend that they and every other creepy crawly thing does not exist. Ick. I know, logically, that I am bigger than spiders and insects, but they still terrify me, I can't help it.

Only read if you like looking at close-up pictures of super disgusting things.

[Bianca Phillips]

Although spiders are not my favorite things in the world, this book made them so fascinating. The pictures are so vivid and explanatory. Spiders: Biggest! Littlest! is a great book for young and old reader who loves a good nonfiction book. The map in the back of the book is such a great add on to locate each spiders' origin. Books like this one interest readers to not only be curious about the animal that they're reading about but in similar ones as well. Awesome read!

As a teacher, I would use this book faithfully around Halloween. Students love to learn about this creepy-crawly arachnid. With so many species that aren't regularly mentioned, the reader is drawn to learn more and more about the next "new " spider. Writing spider facts on each leg of a spider is a simple fun way to ensure your student is reading and not just looking at the pictures. It effortlessly engages students to look further into other aspects of the spider, like their habitat and food sources.

[Jody Kyburz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent short informational text about spiders with great photographs.

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maddie was a big fan - for some reason she asked for spiders for Christmas, so spider books. She wants to be the Little Thief Spider.

[Bailey Scales · Rating 3 out of 5]

I personally did not like reading this book. I did not realize I was creeped out by spiders until reading this book. The graphics are up close and personal. This book would be used during an arachnid unit and describing the different kinds of spiders. I would recommend this book to any student that has an interest in learning more about spiders. This information book also included a glossary of terms and definitions. There was captions with pictures, as well as text boxes of information. This book covered different types of spiders, the different parts of their body, how their fangs work, their defenses, and where you can find them in the world. This book could used for second or third grade projects.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for little spider lovers. The boom is not overwhelmed with facts making it easier for younger readers to enjoy. I also enjoyed the photographs of the spiders in the book.