Diary of a Spider

Diary of a...

by Doreen Cronin, Harry Bliss (Illustrator)

This is the diary... of a spider. But don't be worried – he's more scared of you and your gigantic shoe! Actually, he's a lot like you. He goes to gym class and has Grandparents' Day at school. But he also spins sticky webs, scales walls, and takes wind–catching lessons. Lucky for him, his best friend is a fly!
Doreen Cronin and Harry Bliss, the team behind the #1 bestselling Diary Of A Worm, spin a hilarious tale about the upside–down web world of an eight–legged charmer and his unlikely friend, Fly.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Humor, Friendship, Diary

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Doreen Cronin (born 1966) is an American writer of children's books, including Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type, a very well-received picture book illustrated by Betsy Lewin.

Reviews

[Mariah Roze · Rating 4 out of 5]

My students really enjoyed Diary of a Worm, so they voted on reading this book. This is a diary of a spider.

The spider is a lot like a human with just different fears. He goes to gym class and has Grandparents' Day at school. But he also spins sticky webs, scales walls, and takes wind–catching lessons.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my book, any story that includes (or results in) all of the following things MUST receive five stars:
1. Makes me laugh -- out loud -- more than once and often more than once per page.
2. Involves anyone whose response to a vacuum cleaner is, like mine, to run screaming from the room.
3. Features a grandfather who looks like Indiana Jones (the spider version).
4. Includes a very believable (and cringe-worthy) illustration of an insect as President in the Oval Office.
5. Supports cross-species friendship.

[Dani ❤️ Perspective of a Writer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out more picture book reviews @ Perspective of a Writer...

This is the diary... of a spider. But don't be worried – he's more scared of you and your gigantic shoe! Actually, he's a lot like you. He goes to gym class and has Grandparents' Day at school. But he also spins sticky webs, scales walls, and takes wind–catching lessons. Lucky for him, his best friend is a fly!

To be honest I knew my nephew would ADORE this book as much as he did the diary of a fly book we read from the same series. I'm not a fan of the art though it does suit the almost comic style of the diary. The facts were expertly woven into the story. Frankly the Fly book is the best of the three but I can see that the author is increasing in understanding about what a child wants with his fun facts...

We actually don't see much of worm in this book... which is shocking to me considering the three seem fast friends in the final book! Probably for the best we read these out of order. Part of their charm is that you know what the story is like even if you are going through spider facts this time...

My favorite was how he reacted to the vacuum cleaner!

BOTTOM LINE: Fun facts about spiders!

______________________
You can find this review and many others on my book blog @ Perspective of a Writer. See my picture book reviews in a special feature called Boo's Picture Gallery...

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Following up on their humorous Diary of a Worm , author Doreen Cronin and illustrator Harry Bliss present this picture-book diary of Worm's best friend, Spider. Opening in March (just like its predecessor), Spider's diary chronicles his home and school life, and his friendships with Fly - a departure from days of old, when spiders and flies were terrible enemies - and Worm.

Although there is less of an ecological theme here than in Diary of a Worm , the same combination of humorous story and appealing artwork can be found in Diary of a Spider. Once again, I found myself amused by some of the details in Harry Bliss's decorative end-papers - Spider's favorite book is Charlotte's Web !, he thinks that a toilet bowl is a massive sculpture - and thought that the subtle social commentary, as it concerns tensions and prejudice between spiders and flies, was well done. Recommended to anyone looking for fun picture-books, or who enjoyed Cronin and Bliss's earlier title.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grades K-3
Kirkus Editor’s Choice

This follow-up to "Diary of a Worm" will make kids and adults roll with laughter. The personified spider, friend of worm and fly, accounts the diary of his life in scrap book, diary format which includes pithy one-liners like, "Went to the park with my sister today. We tried the seesaw. It didn't work." The illustrations magnify the humor of the punch lines, playing with perspective and poking fun at humans.

This would be a great addition to a text set about spiders for second or third graders, who would be motivated to read this hysterical book again and again. There is just enough content about spiders to spur questioning or confirm what kids already know. This could also be used as a model for kids to write their own satirical diaries.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - The humor was by far the best part of this story. The illustrations aren't lacking in anyway but the humor tops everything. Julia (and I) both laughed out loud a few times. Why aren't I rating it higher then? I don't know. I asked Julia and she says 3 stars and I have to agree with her. I'm throwing in the .5 because we did laugh more than usual. I just can't give it 4 stars for some reason though.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This, along with Cronin's two other diary books (fly, worm) are perfect introductions to the concept of the diary for young children. And the stories are cute too!

[Parnian.K]

این کتاب و «خاطرات یک مگس» رو فکر کنم کلاس دوم یا سوم ابتدایی بودم که یه روز توی کانون پرورش فکری دست گرفتم و روی اون صندلی‌های چوبی سبز کوچولو خوندمشون. انگار دیگه توی اون سالن شلوغ پر از بچه‌های همسنم نبودم؛ هیچ صدایی جز صدای گفت‌وگوی عنکبوت‌ها و مگس‌ها نمیومد. دیگه هیچ کس جز شخصیت‌های کتاب رو نمی‌دیدم؛ نه بچه‌ها رو، نه قفسه‌های پر از کتاب رو، نه مربی‌های دوست‌داشتنی‌ام رو. خیلی برام جالب و هیجان‌انگیز بود که یه عنکبوت یا یه مگس مثل ما دفترچه‌خاطرات داشته باشه. اینقدر خوندنشون خاطره‌ی خوبی برام شد که این چند وقت همه‌اش دنبال اسمشون بودم تا به کتابخونه‌ی گودریدزم اضافه‌شون کنم؛ ولی به جز خاطره‌ی اون روز، به‌جز پرنیان هشت نه ساله که توی سالن کودک کانون نشسته و یه کتابی رو با لبخند کودکانه ورق می‌زنه، هیچی از خود کتابا یادم نمیومد، حتی یادم نبود شخصیت اول کتاب مگس بود یا پشه یا چی. یه وقتایی تنها چیزی که توی ذهن آدم باقی می‌مونه، روند «خوانش» کتابه؛ نه خود کتاب. مثلاً روزی که روی چمن‌های پشت ویلای چادگون نشسته بودم و «سریع‌تر از نور» رو می‌خوندم، یا وقتی که روی صندلی فلزی حیاط مادربزرگ نشسته بودم و دور از هیاهوی داخل خونه «سیاه‌دل» رو می‌خوندم، یا «صدسال تنهایی» که موقع رفت و برگشت کلاس زبان توی ماشین می‌خوندمش. الان تقریباً هیچی از جزئیات اون کتابا یادم نیست؛ ولی خاطره‌ی خوندنشون بخشی از منه؛ یه قسمت از وجودم رو می‌سازه؛ مثل یه خاطره‌ی خیلی نزدیک، کامل و واضح جلوی چشمامه، اینقدر واضح و نزدیک که انگار می‌تونم دست دراز کنم و بگیرمش. و فکر می‌کنم یکی از چیزای مهمی که کتاب‌خوندن رو لذت‌بخش می‌کنه همینه؛ خاطراتی که «خوندن» برامون ایجاد می‌کنه.

[Jerrica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book super adorable! This book was basically what the title says. This book can make children interested into bugs and insects especially spiders. It teaches that not all spiders are bad. I liked how they incorporated a fly because as most people know that spiders eat flies.

In the end papers the illustrator added Polaroid type pictures that had little descriptions at the bottom for example Charlotte's Web being the main character's favorite book or a picture of a trampoline made out of twigs and spiders web. On the forth to the last page, placement style of the image and text was different because instead of being normally horizontal, everything was on its side. Other than that, I found this book interesting and amusing to read. I wouldn't mind reading this book again.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book about life from the perspective of a spider. It teaches fun facts about spiders while being quite humorous.

[Mira Bhasin · Rating 5 out of 5]

although i did not reach my goal of reading 24 books this year, i most certainly ended on a high note with this one! it’s amazing how much humor, joy, laughter, sorrow, politics, and beauty you can pack into a 20-page picture book. very thankful to doreen for helping me closing out 2023 and 2024!

[Zeynab · Rating 5 out of 5]

از اون کتابایی که بچه بودم حتما عاشقشون می‌شدم، الانم کلی شنگول شدم باهاش.
همه جزئیات تصاویر دقیق و درست مطابق با عنکبوتا
و سبک بانمک گوگولی اش :)

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another great book we picked up today from our library. I'd never read any books in the Diary of a... series, but I'm definitely going to check out the others. This is such a creative book about the concerns of a young spider. The drawings are so funny, and you can tell the author put a lot of thought into what the world is like from the spider's point of view. In one of his diary entries, the little spider writes about Safety Day at school and how he learned what to do in case he ever hears a vacuum. The next day, he writes about having a vacuum drill at school and forgetting the routine. He is able to maintain a friendship with a fly, despite the inherent problems. The humor in this book would be best appreciated by elementary-aged children, but my preschooler still loved reading it. Hey, he loves anything with spiders. :)

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another fun book in the Diary of a... series by Doreen Cronin and Harry Bliss. A spider child's diary - an interesting perspective from a tiny creature. The narrative is informative and entertaining (not always easy to accomplish) and the illustrations are colorful and funny. Our girls enjoyed watching the story on the Tumblebooks website. (www.tumblebooks.com)

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diary is a gem with a genuine sense of humor that both children and adults will appreciate. The detailed illustrations truly bring to life a spider’s-eye view of the world. Like its predecessor, Diary of a Worm, Spider imparts gentle lessons about respecting even the tiniest forms of life.

[Hapzydeco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even the non-reader will be wowed by the illustrations. Reads just like a diary. The vacuum drills will remind the grandparent reader of the nuclear drills of the ‘50s.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book.
My favourite part is when they have the vacuum cleaner drill.

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A series of journal entries from a young male spider. Instructive about spider anatomy and behavior, but also entertaining and humorous. Fly (from Diary of a Fly) and Worm (from Diary of a Worm) make appearances in this book as Spider's friends. The unlikely friendship between Spider and Fly is particularly notable, relevant, and fun. Illuminating example of strong voice from a non-human narrator. Great for classroom or group use to mentor journaling activities. Can be paired with Diary of a Wombat.

[Chance Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as charming as Diary of a Worm (and featuring a Worm cameo), this book follows six months in the life of a rambunctious little spider. He plays tricks on people by weaving webs in water fountains. He hangs out with his best friend Fly instead of eating her. The book shows how spiders migrate by flying on the wind. And Spider has a little message to kids to not be afraid of spiders. I'm not afraid of spiders, but some of the illustrations with lots of spiders gathered in one place gave me the creepy crawlies! The illustrations are very detailed, like a "YooWho" bottle cap on the ground and a Spider-Man poster in Spider's room.

[Tayebe Ej · Rating 4 out of 5]

کتاب به طور خاص مناسب کار کردن روی مفهوم "زاویه‌ی دید"ه

[Shawn Deal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story and illustrations.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I also read Diary of a Fly this morning. We really enjoyed this one too. Very clever to show from the perspective of smaller creatures.

[Brittany Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a picture book. this book is intended for children ages 4-10. Diary of a spider is about a spiders daily life and what its like to be a young spider learning things everyday. I rated this book with 5 stars. Firstly, because the illustrations are great and that's what makes a picture book a picture book. Also, I like how the book states at the end we shouldn't all hate spiders just because some of them bite. It also states if we took the time to get to know each other we would get along just fine. This is a great way to discuss discrimination in our society today and why we should all get along. this book shows children large or mall black or white everyone can get along and be treated equally.

[Tatiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

What does a young spider have to say in his diary? Oh, the usual--including his friendship with a fly and his fear of people with big feet. I will be using Diary of a Spider as a mentor text to introduce personal journal writing to my first-grade group. I'm capitalizing on the journal text features (date, illustrations, titles) and the delightful, funny voice of the narrator. I can't wait to teach this lesson.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another addition to the "Diary of" series by Cornin, this one is from Spider's point of view. I loved his grandpa, who is a traditionalist and can't understand how spiders and flies can be friends. I also appreciate the illustrations from a spider-sized perspective. The message in this book is to not judge someone (in the book, spiders specifically) based on the reputation of the group they come from.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! My 7 year old loved it. He's watched a movie on Diary of a Worm and pointed out the worms in the book that were in the movie he watched. Going to have to get the other books Diary of a Worm and Diary of a Fly.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A silly mix of fact and fancy. Not intended to be educational (unless you want to teach the kids fact-checking skills) so no back matter. Might help get ppl less afraid of spiders, who are actually very important to both a balanced ecosystem and human comfort.

[Kymberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ewwwe. I found a spider today and what do the kids want to read this book about spiders. It was kind-of funny but really icky. The kids thought it was good!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorites...I giggle every single time I read it!

[Kaethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Natasha loved these for the factual grounding of tiny critter life. I didn't mind reading them.