How Spider Saved Halloween

How Spider Saved...

by Robert Kraus

As Halloween draws near, poor Spider cannot find a costume, but Ladybug and Fly help him remedy the situation, and save the day

Genres: Halloween, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published October 28, 1974

About the author

Robert Kraus was an American children's author, cartoonist and publisher. Founder and publisher of Windmill Books, author and illustrator of award-winning children's books, Kraus began as a cartoonist and cover artist for The New Yorker. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_...]

Reviews

[C. (Don't blank click my reviews, comment please! · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this sweet little 1970 storybook among papers my Mom kept. One of my Brothers must have kept or bought it from a library because I see now that I am looking for it, the name of our French Immersion school. I recall all of my books even after Mom had them tucked away for decades. As a further clue for this childhood detective, I started French immersion as an older pupil than they did.

I have not heard of Robert Kraus and see that he had a whole series featuring Spider. It seems to have run from 1970 to 1991. He also had a quintet of Bunny storybooks in 1965. I am by far not the only person who considers Hallowe’en literature especially atmospheric and creative. I often like these outings best among an author’s oeuvres.

There has always been a need for living beings to stand up for ourselves. This is the aspect the action turns to in the second part and it is appreciated by many as currently as the year 2023. Everyone has dealt with jerks who were verbally rude. In this book, a pair of insects were worse for meanness.

These creeps broke Ladybug’s veranda pumpkin. She cried as I would, at anyone being capable of destroying someone’s property and positive setting. Gratefully, her Fly and Spider friends cheered her up by insisting they would provide a living pumpkin and scare the shit out of the creeps!

Besides friends banding together in caring support, I relish the first element of “How Spider Saved Hallowe’en”: creativity! Spider couldn’t think of a costume to suit his form and these friends brainstormed solutions together! The drawings are precious, peopled by childish shapes smiling. Their setting is made of warm crayon strokes on houses, fences, sidewalks, and floors.

[midnightfaerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enchanting story with a Halloween theme any kid can get into. This was my 5 yr old's pick to read to us today and it's probably somewhere between a level 2 and 3 reading book. Some new words thrown in with a fun plot made this a good choice for him and our whole family loves the holiday so I never get tired of any Halloween book. This is one we'll read over and over again.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute Halloween story for the kids. We tuck this book into our Halloween bin and read it every year around this time. It's an old story - I think I may have even read this one as a child. Our girls really like it and it has a good anti-bullying message.

[Rachel Aranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to read this every Halloween as a kid. From time to time I still read it on Halloween but I realized as I got older I could read it whenever I wanted lol.

[Nilsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! A real page-turner.

[Terri Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was my October selection for my cookie fan art project. I bought this book, originally, back when I was in kindergarten or first grade. It still stands up over time. This is a charming story of how Spider, Ladybug, and Fly stand up to some bullies that try to ruin Halloween for them. Spider comes up with a great idea that helps save Halloween, and strengthens the friendships of Spider, Ladybug, and Fly.

[Roland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this in kindergarten and the Spider books were early favorites of mine. Revisiting it I can see why it appealed to me so much. I love the round artwork, big buggy eyes, and the cute mini-revenge turn at the end. It has a sweet message about problem solving and not being afraid of bullies.

[Cameron Lazenberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fun, I loved the aesthetics and I found the writing charming and clever. Maybe it isn't perfect for a very young child, 5 and younger, but there any older than that there is definitely an element of enjoyment to get from this book.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spider and his friends Fly and Ladybug figure out costumes for Halloween. After Ladybug's jack-o-lantern is smashed, Spider dresses up as a pumpkin to replace it and scares the bullies away.
The illustrations are simple line drawings but add to the charm.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple story of how Spider saves the day when bullies smash his friend's pumpkin. The illustrations are very simplistic and have a homemade look.

[Natasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would give this 4 stars (especially love the strong, unrefined illustrations), however the main character dresses in an “indian costume” (north american indian); so I won’t read again.

[Sara Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A+++

[Shonda Cornell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading this when I was just a little girl and how much I loved the simple but cute drawings- childhood memory unlocked!☺️

[Desa Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spider can’t find a costume and eventually finds one that also saves Halloween. Bullies also come into play.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spider has good friends in Fly and Ladybug. They have costume ideas and the patience to help Spider with his.

http://pussreboots.com/blog/2023/comm...

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember way back when, reading this book to my elementary school library classes and the kids just loving it.

Spider is having a meltdown because every costume he creates cannot cover up the fact that well, he is ..... Spider. Discouraged and needing some friendly help and advice as what to do, he goes on over to Ladybug's house and finds her putting the finishing touches on her Hallowe'en jack'o lantern out on her porch. Grumpy Fly is visiting and as a group they try to figure out what costume to dress him up in for trick or treating that night. The friends rack their brains to find the perfect one for Spider, but to no avail. He always ends up looking like ... well ... Spider.

Two bullies quietly approach and smash Ladybug's pumpkin to smithereens. She is heartbroken! Something good can always come out a tragedy. Spider has a brilliant idea to cheer Ladybug up. He grabs some orange paint and some green paper and transforms himself into a pumpkin! Happy again the threesome forge into the night to collect their loot. As fate would have it they see the two bullies approaching and again Spider, who morphs into "Captain Pumpkin Superhero", rallies his troops and together they save the day.

This is a story of friendship, bravery and celebrating one of the most beloved evenings of the entire year...Hallowe'en! Highly recommended to put into your Hallowe'en book collection.

[Emily Madill · Rating 4 out of 5]

How Spider Saved Halloween is an excellent book we keep on our bookshelf all year. Robert Kraus adds wit and clever antics throughout the story making it an enjoyable read for adults as well as kids. Easy going Spider, Sweet Ladybug and Crabby Fly prepare for Halloween festivities when two 'bullies' come along and smash their pumpkin, threatening to ruin Halloween for good. Spider was having troubles finding the right kind of costume and ends up transforming into the perfect pumpkin. The three go out and enjoy the evening. Towards the end of the night they come across the two bullies and Spider quickly concocts a plan to scare them off for good. Spider saves Halloween and proves that bullies really are cowards.
This is a great story that portrays the message that 'nice people finish first' and that standing up against bullying demonstrates bullies are usually just cowards at heart. This story has a clear message with simple illustrations.

How Spider Saved Halloween by Robert Kraus was published in 1988 by Little Simon. It is available used from Amazon and is geared for ages 3-6. It is a book I recommend for Halloween and the whole year through.

[Gale · Rating 5 out of 5]

My primary classes love this book with the 3 special friends, pumpkin, spider and fly. It was funny with lessons about how to treat your friends and bullying.
We then painted or used other bright colored media to draw the pumpkin in an even larger variety of costumes on lengthwise shelf paper. Then we displayed itin the hallway. The more creative children created new costume ideas while others enjoyed redoing the book's suggested costumes. We put a minimal amount of words so the story could be read by older students or teachers to their classes. It was always very popular. Depending upon the class's artistic skills,I sometimes let them use a pumpkin-shaped pattern to trace and start, varying the patterns slightly. After that, everyone felt confident to continue.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up with this book and now Noah loves the tattered paperback with my maiden name inside.

Plot summary: Spider and his friends try to figure out a costume for spider to wear trick-or-treating. When some neighborhood bullies smash their pumpkins, spider decides to dress as a pumpkin. While trick-or-treating, he protects his friends by scaring the bullies, making them think the pumpkin they smashed has come to life.

The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars - it's not one I love reading to Noah 3 times/day. I also didn't like trying to explain what a "witch" is (one of Spider's friends dresses as one).

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute Halloween story about a spider, a fly and a ladybug who are friends and need to find a halloween costume for Spider, who looks like himself no matter what he puts on. When bullies smash their pumpkin on the porch, Spider is given the idea of painting himself orange, blacking out a tooth and putting on a green hat to become a pumpkin. During their trick or treating they encounter the bullies. By hiding in the bushes, Spider is able to teach them a lesson by jumping out, yelling Boo and making them believe the pumpkin they smashed has come back to haunt them. A nice anti-bullying story for young ones.

[Samonia Byford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my absolute favourite books as a beginning reader . . . mostly because it involved Halloween (some things never chnage), but also because it was a cute story about a simple hero. It's a good one to read with children and have them read - plus the illustrations are adorable.

[Luann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute Halloween picture book that kids identify with and absolutely love. Within its few lines of text it deals with themes of self-esteem, friendship, bullies, bravery, and the importance of having a pumpkin for Halloween. :) I read this every year in my Halloween storytime.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as a kid. I'm so happy that I found it. I just ordered it on Amazon and can't wait to show it my little niece and nephew. I hope they love it just as much as I did when I was their age.

[Tam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book for my 4-year-old. I'd never heard of it before and didn't realize it was published years ago. The illustrations are VERY simple which was another plus. My child would try to copy them and did a pretty good job. He loved when Spider said, "You're darn tootin'."

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic Halloween story about Spider and his two friends, Ladybug and Fly. Spider comes up with a solution that saves Halloween from being ruined by bullies. A simple, comforting story celebrating Halloween with a lesson about resilience and friendship.

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

As an adult judging this book, it kind of sucks. I hate the first-person narrator. I think the story is kind of lame. I think it's simple and overall kinda meh. But my childhood heart loved it, and I can't help but love it still.

[Lain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my sister's and my favorite books from our younger years. Love the illustrations and the theme of ugly duckling empowerment!

[Latindestiny7]

love it.

[Mary Vernon · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite childhood books!

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite Halloween books from childhood!