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Westly: A Spider's Tale
This is tale of a caterpillar named Westly who is destined to be a Monarch butterfly and the next king of the butterfly kingdom. But sometimes things don't turn out the way we plan. When Westly emerges from his cocoon he is nothing like he expected. As a spider he must rediscover who he is. Adopted by the "dirt eaters," Westly is determined to make a difference. He is determined to belong, to be loved, and most importantly, to become who he was born to be.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published September 29, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
March 29, 2016
Westly knows he's a little bit different but, then again, he IS a prince - heir to the Monarch butterfly who is the king of the chandelier realm inside a glass menagerie. Westly finds out just how different he is after the transformation ceremony, when he emerges from his cocoon totally unlike his friends. Feeling unwanted and unloved, Westly sets out to find a place where he belongs. He encounters adventures and strange creatures along the way. Who is a friend and who is a foe? Can the Raven who offers to help him be trusted? And, when disaster strikes, will little Westly be able to save the day?
Even though this is a children's fantasy book, the personification of the insect characters is taken too far and became extremely distracting; there are references to body parts insects don't have (stomach, lung, heart, spine, chin, eyebrows, teeth, fingers, etc.) and actions they cannot perform (such as breathing, blinking, crying, etc. - I'll give a pass to talking and smiling). *Spoiler alert* Other points of contention: the title gives away any surprise at Westly's transformation; Westly has never seen a bird yet knows it's a bird; the raven has waited patiently for the key and ends up smashing the door down anyway; it's never explained how Westly became a spider when he started off as a caterpillar.
Nevertheless, this book provides a good starting point to discuss subjects such as bullying and class distinction with your children. Westly grows up believing that it's the butterflies versus the Dirt Eaters (or bugs). Over the course of the story, Westly learns that both kingdoms depend on each other for survival, even if they don't know it. He also learns about acceptance, belonging, and honor. The story is complemented throughout by delightful black and white illustrations, also by the author.
Suitable for ages 8 and up.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post: http://booksdirectonline.blogspot.com...
Even though this is a children's fantasy book, the personification of the insect characters is taken too far and became extremely distracting; there are references to body parts insects don't have (stomach, lung, heart, spine, chin, eyebrows, teeth, fingers, etc.) and actions they cannot perform (such as breathing, blinking, crying, etc. - I'll give a pass to talking and smiling). *Spoiler alert* Other points of contention: the title gives away any surprise at Westly's transformation; Westly has never seen a bird yet knows it's a bird; the raven has waited patiently for the key and ends up smashing the door down anyway; it's never explained how Westly became a spider when he started off as a caterpillar.
Nevertheless, this book provides a good starting point to discuss subjects such as bullying and class distinction with your children. Westly grows up believing that it's the butterflies versus the Dirt Eaters (or bugs). Over the course of the story, Westly learns that both kingdoms depend on each other for survival, even if they don't know it. He also learns about acceptance, belonging, and honor. The story is complemented throughout by delightful black and white illustrations, also by the author.
Suitable for ages 8 and up.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post: http://booksdirectonline.blogspot.com...
July 7, 2017
The message of this book is a good one - trust yourself, believe in yourself, it's okay to be different. At times though the story just felt a little contrived. A cute middlegrade read for 2nd and 3rd grade.
March 31, 2017
From my 7-year-old: "This book was so good that I read EVERY SINGLE WORD on EVERY SINGLE PAGE."
My kiddo is a very fast reader with very advanced skills for his age (he read Ender's Game, for example), but because he's still only seven we have a hard time finding things that reach him at his level without being too simple. He's been on the Boxcar Children books, and while he was enjoying them he wasn't really INSPIRED. Westly to the rescue! He really, really got sucked into this one, and I think he identified with the protagonist quite a lot. My kiddo's an oddball whose development is really uneven, so he's either way behind his peers or way ahead. Westly has some similar challenges, and showed him that everyone has something unique to contribute. A+ from kiddo and mom.
My kiddo is a very fast reader with very advanced skills for his age (he read Ender's Game, for example), but because he's still only seven we have a hard time finding things that reach him at his level without being too simple. He's been on the Boxcar Children books, and while he was enjoying them he wasn't really INSPIRED. Westly to the rescue! He really, really got sucked into this one, and I think he identified with the protagonist quite a lot. My kiddo's an oddball whose development is really uneven, so he's either way behind his peers or way ahead. Westly has some similar challenges, and showed him that everyone has something unique to contribute. A+ from kiddo and mom.
October 6, 2015
What a great story! Westly is a caterpillar who is destined to be king. However, when he emerges from his cocoon as a spider, he knows life will never be the same. The butterflies are stunned by what he's become so he leaves home. He has a new life to adjust to and tries hard to fit in. There are some fun mishaps along the way, and one of his new friends ends up betraying him.
Westly is a fun character! At the beginning, he tries hard to show that he knows what he's doing but he's really just bluffing his way through. Out in the cruel world, he wants to be helpful but usually ends up making things worse. He is able to find success at times, too. His character grows throughout the story and he learns valuable life lessons along the way.
This is a book that will be fun to read with children. It can also help start some great discussions, like how to handle life when it doesn't turn out the way you thought it would and how being different can be a good thing. There are also fun illustrations scattered throughout that add to the story. Overall, a great debut novel and an interesting tale!
I received a copy of this book to review. My opinion is 100% my own.
Mel's Shelves
Westly is a fun character! At the beginning, he tries hard to show that he knows what he's doing but he's really just bluffing his way through. Out in the cruel world, he wants to be helpful but usually ends up making things worse. He is able to find success at times, too. His character grows throughout the story and he learns valuable life lessons along the way.
This is a book that will be fun to read with children. It can also help start some great discussions, like how to handle life when it doesn't turn out the way you thought it would and how being different can be a good thing. There are also fun illustrations scattered throughout that add to the story. Overall, a great debut novel and an interesting tale!
I received a copy of this book to review. My opinion is 100% my own.
Mel's Shelves
October 1, 2015
Westly is a very different butterfly. He is a prince of the butterflies. He learns a lot of lessons in this cute story. So did I.. I was busy saying that this can't happen really and was missing the point of the story. Things a lot of the time don't happen like we expect it too but it can be even better. Sometimes being different is better or more useful.
Westly is not a scary spider. For those who like me don't care for them.
The butterflies were beautiful and it is amazing how caterpillars change into them. While ants are hard workers and work together to make everything better. We need beauty and hard work in the world. Everything is important.
I liked this tale. The pictures were to the point, clean look that fit the story.
I was given this ebook to read and agreed to give honest review and be part of Westly: A Spider's tale blog tour.
Westly is not a scary spider. For those who like me don't care for them.
The butterflies were beautiful and it is amazing how caterpillars change into them. While ants are hard workers and work together to make everything better. We need beauty and hard work in the world. Everything is important.
I liked this tale. The pictures were to the point, clean look that fit the story.
I was given this ebook to read and agreed to give honest review and be part of Westly: A Spider's tale blog tour.
October 7, 2015
Originally posted at Log Cabin Library
Westly lives inside a glass menagerie high among the crystals of a chandelier. He is destined to follow in his father's footsteps and become the next king of the Monarch butterflies, but Westly is fearful of the responsibilities that lie ahead. And destiny can be a strange thing, especially when he emerges as a spider and not as the beautiful butterfly he had always envisioned he would be. Distraught by the possibility of being a disappointment to his father, Westly chooses to make his way down to the "dirt eaters," or "monsters" that live down on the ground. Westly soon finds that life on the ground is more dangerous then he envisioned and the same bugs that he mocked earlier are the ones who teach him some valuable lessons about himself.
Bryan Beus' Westly a Spiders Tale is a delightful story that combines detailed storytelling with lovely black and white illustrations very classic fable. In this case, insects set within the world of a glass menagerie and a moral message of accepting yourself for who you are. Actually, there are lots of different messages that can be interpreted from the story, not judging a book by its cover, that people might not always be as they seem and my favorite was "We don't always have control over what happens to us, but we do have control over how we choose to react. We have control over who we choose to be."
Westly is very naive to the dangers that might be below and so makes some poor choices initially. But, he is also the kind of character that one can easily identify with, wanting to make his father proud and to be accepted. Ultimately, Westly grows and begins to realize his own strengths with the help of the insects and an unlikely friend that he meets while below. He also comes to understand that butterflies and bugs have more in common then they think and they have been relying on each other for their survival within the menagerie without even having noticed it. Westly learned from his mistakes and tried to make amends, with a resolution that related back to the overall moral. Not one to typically enjoy stories with insects as main characters, well except Charlotte's Web, which I adore. I found Westly and his friends to be charming and the rich detailed descriptions of Westly's world and the hardships within really gives the reader an insects view of the world. Plus those worms are pretty scary.
Favorite line "waterfalls trickled from leaf pools, and the stream they formed traveled all the way from the top of the chandelier down to its edge and then tumbled out of sight."
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Westly lives inside a glass menagerie high among the crystals of a chandelier. He is destined to follow in his father's footsteps and become the next king of the Monarch butterflies, but Westly is fearful of the responsibilities that lie ahead. And destiny can be a strange thing, especially when he emerges as a spider and not as the beautiful butterfly he had always envisioned he would be. Distraught by the possibility of being a disappointment to his father, Westly chooses to make his way down to the "dirt eaters," or "monsters" that live down on the ground. Westly soon finds that life on the ground is more dangerous then he envisioned and the same bugs that he mocked earlier are the ones who teach him some valuable lessons about himself.
Bryan Beus' Westly a Spiders Tale is a delightful story that combines detailed storytelling with lovely black and white illustrations very classic fable. In this case, insects set within the world of a glass menagerie and a moral message of accepting yourself for who you are. Actually, there are lots of different messages that can be interpreted from the story, not judging a book by its cover, that people might not always be as they seem and my favorite was "We don't always have control over what happens to us, but we do have control over how we choose to react. We have control over who we choose to be."
Westly is very naive to the dangers that might be below and so makes some poor choices initially. But, he is also the kind of character that one can easily identify with, wanting to make his father proud and to be accepted. Ultimately, Westly grows and begins to realize his own strengths with the help of the insects and an unlikely friend that he meets while below. He also comes to understand that butterflies and bugs have more in common then they think and they have been relying on each other for their survival within the menagerie without even having noticed it. Westly learned from his mistakes and tried to make amends, with a resolution that related back to the overall moral. Not one to typically enjoy stories with insects as main characters, well except Charlotte's Web, which I adore. I found Westly and his friends to be charming and the rich detailed descriptions of Westly's world and the hardships within really gives the reader an insects view of the world. Plus those worms are pretty scary.
Favorite line "waterfalls trickled from leaf pools, and the stream they formed traveled all the way from the top of the chandelier down to its edge and then tumbled out of sight."
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
December 20, 2015
While you were a child growing up, ever believe you were one thing (type of person, likes, dislikes, etc...), and then, due to some event or circumstance, you came to discover you were not? This pretty much sums up Westly's sudden journey from child to tween.
The writing is very visual, which I especially noted from the first few words of the opening. Any reader will instantly become immersed within the world of these caterpillars. They have a home, a routine, and a hierarchy - on that Westly is very much a part of. He has a distinct voice. It's intelligent, but a little abrasive at first. His view of their world is much different from the butterflies and other caterpillars. He is the prince, after all, which is a lot to shoulder. And being responsible for protecting the Chandelier - their home - is quite a serious job. As the son of the Monarch, he's expected to behave accordingly, when in truth he'd like to be normal and fit in with his friends. Or as his father calls them 'subjects'.
But if Westly is honest with himself, being son of the king is not the only thing that makes him different. He's always had better physical strength than his friends, jumping higher and enduring longer. And when he wakes up from his cocoon he realizes why.
The doubts and insecurities that have always plagued him squelch his hopes and dreams, as the crowd stares at him. He's always feared disappointing his friends and mostly his father. This surely must be a great disappointment to them. So he makes the decision to leave, thinking he's saving them from such pain.
Along the way, Westly meets fascinating characters from grasshoppers to moths to dragonflies. He learns the world is much larger than the existence he's been living. (It kind of reminded me of when a child leaves and goes off to college. It was that sort of eye-opening adventure.) He undergoes trials and struggles trying to find where he fits in, to find his place in the world. But along this journey, there are also dangers he could have never dreamed of. Westly will learn to decipher these dangers, the people (of nature) involved, and decide how to handle them. He discovers that embracing oneself and one's own talents is where one's importance in life and to others truly lies.
This story is just adorable, filled with rights of passage, the art of true sacrifice, and the love of family. I would recommend this to any middle schooler, really. Any who like a sweet tale that still has some adventure. Oh, and it's also for you, of course! And I believe it would be a fantastic read-a-loud for a classroom!
The writing is very visual, which I especially noted from the first few words of the opening. Any reader will instantly become immersed within the world of these caterpillars. They have a home, a routine, and a hierarchy - on that Westly is very much a part of. He has a distinct voice. It's intelligent, but a little abrasive at first. His view of their world is much different from the butterflies and other caterpillars. He is the prince, after all, which is a lot to shoulder. And being responsible for protecting the Chandelier - their home - is quite a serious job. As the son of the Monarch, he's expected to behave accordingly, when in truth he'd like to be normal and fit in with his friends. Or as his father calls them 'subjects'.
But if Westly is honest with himself, being son of the king is not the only thing that makes him different. He's always had better physical strength than his friends, jumping higher and enduring longer. And when he wakes up from his cocoon he realizes why.
The doubts and insecurities that have always plagued him squelch his hopes and dreams, as the crowd stares at him. He's always feared disappointing his friends and mostly his father. This surely must be a great disappointment to them. So he makes the decision to leave, thinking he's saving them from such pain.
Along the way, Westly meets fascinating characters from grasshoppers to moths to dragonflies. He learns the world is much larger than the existence he's been living. (It kind of reminded me of when a child leaves and goes off to college. It was that sort of eye-opening adventure.) He undergoes trials and struggles trying to find where he fits in, to find his place in the world. But along this journey, there are also dangers he could have never dreamed of. Westly will learn to decipher these dangers, the people (of nature) involved, and decide how to handle them. He discovers that embracing oneself and one's own talents is where one's importance in life and to others truly lies.
This story is just adorable, filled with rights of passage, the art of true sacrifice, and the love of family. I would recommend this to any middle schooler, really. Any who like a sweet tale that still has some adventure. Oh, and it's also for you, of course! And I believe it would be a fantastic read-a-loud for a classroom!
September 30, 2015
Westly: A Spider’s Tale was an excellent story. I found it to be immediately engaging. Westly a scrawny, ugly little caterpillar was supposed to be the son of the Monarch Butterfly King, but when he emerged from his cocoon, he was not a butterfly at all, but a spider! Since he wasn’t a butterfly he could neither rule the after his father nor remain in the kingdom.
Now, of course, we know that spiders hatch from egg sacks and butterflies take weeks to hatch from their cocoons, but this story is a fantasy/fairy tale and so the author has taken liberties with reality and we allow him that. Besides, it makes the story flow more quickly and this story isn’t based in reality anyway since the insects all talk.
I thought the theme of the story was an important one – discovering who you are and believing in yourself– Westly really had some identity issues. He wasn’t one of the sky dwellers, he didn’t feel like one of the dirt eaters and in trying to discover who he was, he got himself and everyone else into a whole mess of trouble. The story touched on a few other themes as well such as family, friendship, loyalty and cooperation.
There were a lot of twists and turns in this novel. They kept the book moving along very swiftly, making the story a fairly quick book to finish reading.
I enjoyed the author’s personification of each of the insects. I thought he did a great job of bringing each one of them to life. The creatures in the well I found rather disturbing, but kids being kids, they will probably love that – most of them anyway.
Westly: A Spider’s Tale was a great adventure story. I really liked the cover of the book. It’s actually what attracted me to the book in the first place. If your child enjoys fantasy stories, I would suggest you pick this book up for him or her. I gave this book 5 stars out of 5.
Thank you to the publishers for providing this book via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. A positive opinion was not required. All thoughts are my own.
To see my complete review, visit Shelf Full of Books: http://kathrynsshelffullofbooks.blogs...
Now, of course, we know that spiders hatch from egg sacks and butterflies take weeks to hatch from their cocoons, but this story is a fantasy/fairy tale and so the author has taken liberties with reality and we allow him that. Besides, it makes the story flow more quickly and this story isn’t based in reality anyway since the insects all talk.
I thought the theme of the story was an important one – discovering who you are and believing in yourself– Westly really had some identity issues. He wasn’t one of the sky dwellers, he didn’t feel like one of the dirt eaters and in trying to discover who he was, he got himself and everyone else into a whole mess of trouble. The story touched on a few other themes as well such as family, friendship, loyalty and cooperation.
There were a lot of twists and turns in this novel. They kept the book moving along very swiftly, making the story a fairly quick book to finish reading.
I enjoyed the author’s personification of each of the insects. I thought he did a great job of bringing each one of them to life. The creatures in the well I found rather disturbing, but kids being kids, they will probably love that – most of them anyway.
Westly: A Spider’s Tale was a great adventure story. I really liked the cover of the book. It’s actually what attracted me to the book in the first place. If your child enjoys fantasy stories, I would suggest you pick this book up for him or her. I gave this book 5 stars out of 5.
Thank you to the publishers for providing this book via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. A positive opinion was not required. All thoughts are my own.
To see my complete review, visit Shelf Full of Books: http://kathrynsshelffullofbooks.blogs...
September 25, 2015
Westly: A Spider’s Tale
This is a very interesting story of how Westly thought he was a caterpillar who is going to be a Monarch butterfly and the next king of the butterfly kingdom. It didn’t turn out that way. Somehow Westly became a spider. This story takes on his adventure to find out where he is supposed to be and who he is. I really thought the story was good, great for middle school kids and possible 2nd and 3rd graders as well. Great fantasy story for kids to think about and finding the right place to be. I think the kids will enjoy Westly and love how this story is written. I would recommend this story for my kids to read.
I was provided a copy of this book from publisher.
This is a very interesting story of how Westly thought he was a caterpillar who is going to be a Monarch butterfly and the next king of the butterfly kingdom. It didn’t turn out that way. Somehow Westly became a spider. This story takes on his adventure to find out where he is supposed to be and who he is. I really thought the story was good, great for middle school kids and possible 2nd and 3rd graders as well. Great fantasy story for kids to think about and finding the right place to be. I think the kids will enjoy Westly and love how this story is written. I would recommend this story for my kids to read.
I was provided a copy of this book from publisher.
September 29, 2015
What an AMAZING book!
I loved it!
Fun story line as a caterpillar emerges from his cocoon as a spider-- such a GOOD MESSAGE of "life does not always turn out as planned."
Fantastic scenes as Westly flounders while trying so hard just to fit in--
And when he so desperately needs a friend one shows up-- but is he really a friend? And how can Westly tell? And who ends up being his true friends?
So MANY GREAT LESSONS!
Plus it is simply just an AWESOME READ!
Adorable pictures adorn the book making it a PERFECT get-away read for the whole family!
I loved it!
Fun story line as a caterpillar emerges from his cocoon as a spider-- such a GOOD MESSAGE of "life does not always turn out as planned."
Fantastic scenes as Westly flounders while trying so hard just to fit in--
And when he so desperately needs a friend one shows up-- but is he really a friend? And how can Westly tell? And who ends up being his true friends?
So MANY GREAT LESSONS!
Plus it is simply just an AWESOME READ!
Adorable pictures adorn the book making it a PERFECT get-away read for the whole family!
July 14, 2021
Synopsis:
Westly is a normal caterpillar until he pops out of his chrysalis as a fully formed--spider!? He runs through the menagerie, thrown out of his perfect butterfly world into a scary world full of dirt eaters and venus fly traps and even big creatures with beaks and claws. Can Westly figure out how to be a spider, or will he be doomed to live lonely and friendless for the rest of his life?
My review:
Honestly, the story wasn't my favorite. I wasn't a fan of how he went into a chrysalis as a caterpillar and then emerged as a spider. That didn't make any sense and it was never explained. I know it was for the "be yourself!" metaphor, but no. That's not how butterflies work. One in every forty caterpillars doesn't just POP into a spider instead. Whatever.
Other changes were cute, like making the worms freaky force of nature. Didn't make sense, but I liked it. The plot was okay, but I didn't really get attached to any of the characters since I saw most of the "twists" coming from a mile away. The foreshadowing was so obvious. And the quick resolution between butterflies and "dirt eaters" at the end was so contrived, I just...
All that said, I loved the prose. It was so clean and crisp and made even the most simple things, like resin heating up in a pot, so satisfying to think and read about. But, overall, this gets 2 out of 5 because it was such a chore to get through, even though it was so short.
Content warning: none
Westly is a normal caterpillar until he pops out of his chrysalis as a fully formed--spider!? He runs through the menagerie, thrown out of his perfect butterfly world into a scary world full of dirt eaters and venus fly traps and even big creatures with beaks and claws. Can Westly figure out how to be a spider, or will he be doomed to live lonely and friendless for the rest of his life?
My review:
Honestly, the story wasn't my favorite. I wasn't a fan of how he went into a chrysalis as a caterpillar and then emerged as a spider. That didn't make any sense and it was never explained. I know it was for the "be yourself!" metaphor, but no. That's not how butterflies work. One in every forty caterpillars doesn't just POP into a spider instead. Whatever.
Other changes were cute, like making the worms freaky force of nature. Didn't make sense, but I liked it. The plot was okay, but I didn't really get attached to any of the characters since I saw most of the "twists" coming from a mile away. The foreshadowing was so obvious. And the quick resolution between butterflies and "dirt eaters" at the end was so contrived, I just...
All that said, I loved the prose. It was so clean and crisp and made even the most simple things, like resin heating up in a pot, so satisfying to think and read about. But, overall, this gets 2 out of 5 because it was such a chore to get through, even though it was so short.
Content warning: none
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2018
What would you do if you thought you were a butterfly and when it came time to come out of the cocoon you were actually a spider? Westly had to figure out just who he was inside before he could figure out exactly what he was meant to do after being disappointed that he wasn't a butterfly as he expected to be his whole caterpillar life. He gets into trouble and makes friends (some bad and some good) and finally figures out his purpose in life.
I enjoyed taking my time to read this with my younger two kids a chapter at a time and they were always excited to read it as well.
I enjoyed taking my time to read this with my younger two kids a chapter at a time and they were always excited to read it as well.
August 28, 2025
Fantastic story! I loved all the unique characters. The setting is so well imagined and explained that you feel as if you are one inch tall, in the menagerie with all the other insects.
From the very beginning, there are twists and turns in every chapter. This book is nowhere near predictable. We found ourselves saying "They are doomed, there is no way out of this..." and yet the author finds a way. I assure you, it is a happy ending.
This story teaches a wonderful lesson in the end and left my son and I entertained, content, and inspired.
From the very beginning, there are twists and turns in every chapter. This book is nowhere near predictable. We found ourselves saying "They are doomed, there is no way out of this..." and yet the author finds a way. I assure you, it is a happy ending.
This story teaches a wonderful lesson in the end and left my son and I entertained, content, and inspired.
November 29, 2017
Such a great story! :)
January 4, 2018
super intresting but goes a little too far.
September 23, 2020
Great book for middle schoolers that teaches the value of a soul, no matter how you look, or the mistakes you made, you are loved by the king of all.
February 3, 2022
This book has a lot to do with appreciating others and accepting oneself. I struggled with a spider son of a butterfly, but I accept that this was kind of a magical twist.
June 11, 2023
It's nice book
January 18, 2017
Great little book for kids, I think my boys will like it when they're old enough. I picked up a copy last year after doing a few panels with Bryan Beus at LTUE, he's an insightful artist and I learned some neat stuff from him. It's not surprising that such an endearing story came from his imagination.
November 18, 2020
Monarch butterfly is the king. Westley, the prince, is a monarch caterpillar. Starts shortly before the metamorphosis and cocoons. When he comes out of his cocoon he doesn’t have wings and is a black spider instead. Different from everyone else. A disappointment to his father and friends. Can’t rule kingdom without wings.
Westly calls them Dirt Eaters but they say they’re Bugs or Gardeners.
Raven befriends him.
“We don’t always have control over what happens to us but we do have control over how we choose to react. We have control over who we choose to be.” Ch 16
The message of the story is being different isn’t a bad thing.
Westly calls them Dirt Eaters but they say they’re Bugs or Gardeners.
Raven befriends him.
“We don’t always have control over what happens to us but we do have control over how we choose to react. We have control over who we choose to be.” Ch 16
The message of the story is being different isn’t a bad thing.
September 20, 2015
Westly is a young caterpillar and the son of the king Monarch butterfly. He is intent on being the best butterfly he can be, but when he emerges from his cocoon it is not at all the transformation he wanted. He is no butterfly, much to the shock of the butterflies in the chandelier of the menagerie. Instead of becoming the butterfly princeling, Westly is adopted down below by the “dirt eaters.” He is so unsure of himself and only wants to help, but he must learn how to use his new talents and make new friends in order to do so.
The story – and Westly – are quite cute. This is definitely a story that speaks to a younger reading audience. The characters are all bugs and insects living in a menagerie.
Although the butterflies and the gardeners both live within the menagerie, there is a serious species divide. The butterflies live in the beautiful chandelier and are quite disdainful and snobbish about the creatures who live below on the ground. They refer to the gardeners as “dirt eaters,” who in turn refer to the butterflies as “fuzzheads.”
After Westly’s botched transformation that lands him as an eight-legged arachnid, he traverses from the chandelier he has lived in all his life with the butterflies down to the ground floor with an eclectic group of insects. Westly does not look like a butterfly so he no longer fits in at the chandelier. The embarrassment is enough to force him to find a home elsewhere. Westly looks like he fits in much better with the gardeners, but he struggles to actually fit into the gardener’s culture.
Living in the chandelier was the high life. When Westly first bumps into the rough-and-tumble group of gardeners, it is not what he would have expected of them. The perceptions he’s had of the “dirt eaters” all his life are nothing like the hard working gardeners he meets. As Westly struggles to find his way and find out who he is, he sets out on a little journey of his own.
Westly makes all manner of new friends, including Mr. Raven who lives outside of the menagerie. The raven helps Westly understand who – or rather, what – he is; he teaches Westly how to be a spider and to use his abilities. Westly finds strength and comfort in this new friendship.
Even though Westly is settling in his role within the gardeners and continuing to learn about being a spider, there is a darkness that will strike the menagerie. Westly – the one creature who has lived in both worlds within the menagerie – is the only one who can set things right.
There is a defined lesson in Westly’s story that comes to be embodied in the creatures of the menagerie. Westly shows the “fuzzheads” and the “dirt eaters” that it is OK to be different. Sometimes it takes diversity to come together and solve problems for the good of all.
This is a great read for teaching a few life lessons to youngsters about judging others, differences, diversity and problem solving. Westly features a sense of adventure and courage, with themes that will appeal to young readers. It is a great read.
The story – and Westly – are quite cute. This is definitely a story that speaks to a younger reading audience. The characters are all bugs and insects living in a menagerie.
Although the butterflies and the gardeners both live within the menagerie, there is a serious species divide. The butterflies live in the beautiful chandelier and are quite disdainful and snobbish about the creatures who live below on the ground. They refer to the gardeners as “dirt eaters,” who in turn refer to the butterflies as “fuzzheads.”
After Westly’s botched transformation that lands him as an eight-legged arachnid, he traverses from the chandelier he has lived in all his life with the butterflies down to the ground floor with an eclectic group of insects. Westly does not look like a butterfly so he no longer fits in at the chandelier. The embarrassment is enough to force him to find a home elsewhere. Westly looks like he fits in much better with the gardeners, but he struggles to actually fit into the gardener’s culture.
Living in the chandelier was the high life. When Westly first bumps into the rough-and-tumble group of gardeners, it is not what he would have expected of them. The perceptions he’s had of the “dirt eaters” all his life are nothing like the hard working gardeners he meets. As Westly struggles to find his way and find out who he is, he sets out on a little journey of his own.
Westly makes all manner of new friends, including Mr. Raven who lives outside of the menagerie. The raven helps Westly understand who – or rather, what – he is; he teaches Westly how to be a spider and to use his abilities. Westly finds strength and comfort in this new friendship.
Even though Westly is settling in his role within the gardeners and continuing to learn about being a spider, there is a darkness that will strike the menagerie. Westly – the one creature who has lived in both worlds within the menagerie – is the only one who can set things right.
There is a defined lesson in Westly’s story that comes to be embodied in the creatures of the menagerie. Westly shows the “fuzzheads” and the “dirt eaters” that it is OK to be different. Sometimes it takes diversity to come together and solve problems for the good of all.
This is a great read for teaching a few life lessons to youngsters about judging others, differences, diversity and problem solving. Westly features a sense of adventure and courage, with themes that will appeal to young readers. It is a great read.
October 3, 2015
I was very excited to read Westly: A Spider's Tale to my 2nd grade class. I have to say, they were enchanted from the first chapter. They really loved the characters and they also liked the different voices I used as I read the novel to them. This book is perfect for the age group I teach, 7-8 year olds. They couldn't wait each day until after lunch when it was time for Read-Aloud. They all groaned when I ended a chapter and put the book away to do something else. They learned the main message from the book, {which impressed me} without me telling them.
I decided to have my class help me write this review. When we finished the book, I had them write down what they liked the most about Westly. Who better to see how kids liked the book than hear from kids themselves? So here is what they had to say, at least those who turned their paper in...{There may be some spoilers here :) and the spelling has been corrected in order for you to read their comments. ;) }
Beckett: "My favorite character was the raven. I liked the book because Westly became a hero and saved all the insects."
Cole: "My favorite characters were Westly, Zug Zug and the Raven."
Ava: "I like when Westly turns into a spider. My favorite characters is Zug Zug the fly."
Gretta: "My favorite part was when Wesley was in the menagerie and he almost died, but it was super, duper sad...I would think every body would like Westly. It is awesome; my favorite book!
Ty: "Westly learned being different was fine."
Serg: "I learned that at the end Westly became King of the menagerie."
Aryianna: "I learned it doesn't matter if someone is different. I just love Westly. It's a good book!"
Brooklyn: "I liked the part where Westly's dad hugs him. I want to share it with my friends."
Evan: "I liked that we don't have to be sad if we are different. I like the book because it is exciting!"
Brody: "I liked the story because of the moth...you should buy it and Westly."
Lillian: "I loved when Westly stuck up for his friends, even the raven. I recommend 2nd grade and up will like this book."
Jaslene: "I like Westly and Zug Zug. They live in the menagerie. I recommend it."
Edison: "I love Westly and the Raven KIng and learned that different is good. The story was very funny...a good book for all ages."
Will: "I learned that you should never give up."
Charlie: "Westly was a very good spider. I like how he got the key from the worms."
Dyson: "My favorite characters were Westly, Zug Zug, the worms, the raven and the dragonfly."
Owen W. "I liked the pictures. It is a good story. You should read it."
Jordan: "The raven was scary and they all looked awesome. I liked it!"
So there you have it! It's a great book, with a good message for kids, and very entertaining. So from my 2nd grade class, they recommend this book to other kids.
I decided to have my class help me write this review. When we finished the book, I had them write down what they liked the most about Westly. Who better to see how kids liked the book than hear from kids themselves? So here is what they had to say, at least those who turned their paper in...{There may be some spoilers here :) and the spelling has been corrected in order for you to read their comments. ;) }
Beckett: "My favorite character was the raven. I liked the book because Westly became a hero and saved all the insects."
Cole: "My favorite characters were Westly, Zug Zug and the Raven."
Ava: "I like when Westly turns into a spider. My favorite characters is Zug Zug the fly."
Gretta: "My favorite part was when Wesley was in the menagerie and he almost died, but it was super, duper sad...I would think every body would like Westly. It is awesome; my favorite book!
Ty: "Westly learned being different was fine."
Serg: "I learned that at the end Westly became King of the menagerie."
Aryianna: "I learned it doesn't matter if someone is different. I just love Westly. It's a good book!"
Brooklyn: "I liked the part where Westly's dad hugs him. I want to share it with my friends."
Evan: "I liked that we don't have to be sad if we are different. I like the book because it is exciting!"
Brody: "I liked the story because of the moth...you should buy it and Westly."
Lillian: "I loved when Westly stuck up for his friends, even the raven. I recommend 2nd grade and up will like this book."
Jaslene: "I like Westly and Zug Zug. They live in the menagerie. I recommend it."
Edison: "I love Westly and the Raven KIng and learned that different is good. The story was very funny...a good book for all ages."
Will: "I learned that you should never give up."
Charlie: "Westly was a very good spider. I like how he got the key from the worms."
Dyson: "My favorite characters were Westly, Zug Zug, the worms, the raven and the dragonfly."
Owen W. "I liked the pictures. It is a good story. You should read it."
Jordan: "The raven was scary and they all looked awesome. I liked it!"
So there you have it! It's a great book, with a good message for kids, and very entertaining. So from my 2nd grade class, they recommend this book to other kids.
October 5, 2015
My Review: 3.5 Stars. I liked this story. It's a modern-day fable with lots of great lessons! This story is well written and creative. It teaches that it is okay to be different. Being different gives you individual strengths and weaknesses, which is a good thing. You won't always fit in, and that's okay; don't let that bring you down. Bloom where you are planted. Do the best you can wherever you are. Family is important. Be wary of those around you who want to deceive you. (You know, the wolves in sheep's clothing.) Have a positive attitude. Do your best. Sometimes we make mistakes, and that's okay; what is important is learning from those mistakes and doing better next time. Take responsibility for your actions, even if it's hard. I thought Westly was a good, strong character. He isn't perfect, but who is? It's great to see him struggle and pick himself back up. He is well developed, along with the other characters in the story. This book is a fast, easy read, and is clean. There is no profanity or "intimacy." There is some violence with a few characters dying, and fighting. It gets a little scary in a couple of places. It is a good middle-grader story. You may read my full review on my book blog: www.the-readathon.blogspot.com.
September 26, 2015
Wesley is a really cute story for youngsters with good life lessons to learn. As with people some think they are much better than others, whether they are better looking or have better material things. In this story the better ones, or so they believe are the butterflies, and the other bugs are the “dirt eaters,” a rather subservient term.
Something goes rather wrong when Wesley, the Kings son, goes into his cocoon to become a butterfly, and when he immerges he is one of the dirt eaters, a spider. Poor Wesley his life sure take a severe turn, he is no longer the top of the insects, as they believe themselves to be.
We are shown in a cute way, what happens when we listen to the wrong people and how our world can get turned upside down. Will this happen to Wesley, guess that is a sure bet, but what happens to all of the insects when their world is about to collapse. We are shown how quickly our life can change with danger lurking, and learning to listen to what your mind is telling you, and acceptance of others.
A fun read with lots of lessons to be learned!
I received this book through I Am A Reader, Not A Writer Book Blogger Program, and was not required to give a positive review.
Something goes rather wrong when Wesley, the Kings son, goes into his cocoon to become a butterfly, and when he immerges he is one of the dirt eaters, a spider. Poor Wesley his life sure take a severe turn, he is no longer the top of the insects, as they believe themselves to be.
We are shown in a cute way, what happens when we listen to the wrong people and how our world can get turned upside down. Will this happen to Wesley, guess that is a sure bet, but what happens to all of the insects when their world is about to collapse. We are shown how quickly our life can change with danger lurking, and learning to listen to what your mind is telling you, and acceptance of others.
A fun read with lots of lessons to be learned!
I received this book through I Am A Reader, Not A Writer Book Blogger Program, and was not required to give a positive review.
January 8, 2016
What a great book for children! There are so many things that children can learn from this story! Westly learned that things don't always turn out the way that you want them to, but did he place blame? No he decided to accept the changes and learn from them. When he was betrayed by someone whom he thought was his friend, did he stomp his spider legs and pout, no he went forward with courage and tried to turn things around. He learned that there are consequences for choices made and that sometimes those choices not only affect you, but those around you. This would be a great book to read aloud with your children and a great tool to use in teaching them about friendship, choice and accountability, consequences, decision making and many more.
Yes we know that cocoons don't become spiders, but this is a fictional title, so anything can happen!
Yes we know that cocoons don't become spiders, but this is a fictional title, so anything can happen!
August 10, 2018
This is a sweet tale that reminded me a bit of “Hope for the Flowers”. But in this tale, the caterpillar knows what he is destined to be: a butterfly, the most majestic and perfect of the animals in their kingdom. When the caterpillars all go into a cocoon, Westly does not come out a beautiful butterfly, but to his dismay he comes out a monster that he doesn’t even recognize. He runs away and falls down to the place where the crawlers live. Nobody has ever seen anything like Westly, but unlike the butterflies, they welcome him so long as he works for his keep. Westly is desperate to return to the life he thinks he deserves, as a butterfly, so when he meets a Raven claiming to know how help him, Westly is sucked into a plot the could destroy everything. Westly is a cute and short novel that I enjoyed but will not likely read again.
July 20, 2015
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for access to this title.
This is a cute tale about a butterfly who never was and a spider who became all he was meant to be. While a very thinly veiled attempt at showing how we should all be happy to be ourselves no matter who that self is, I think that younger kids will really enjoy the adventure part of the story while getting a good dose of confidence in trying their best.
I did find the use of the worms in the well to be a little disturbing, and feel that they may cause a few worried moments for some kids. Others may find them delightfully gruesome.
This is a cute tale about a butterfly who never was and a spider who became all he was meant to be. While a very thinly veiled attempt at showing how we should all be happy to be ourselves no matter who that self is, I think that younger kids will really enjoy the adventure part of the story while getting a good dose of confidence in trying their best.
I did find the use of the worms in the well to be a little disturbing, and feel that they may cause a few worried moments for some kids. Others may find them delightfully gruesome.
November 7, 2015
So, yes, this book was cute. I read (almost) a chapter a night to my two kids (9 and 11). It kept them in suspense and would beg for another chapter, even if it was late and they were tired. The message is good, a moral story of judging, being included, realizing potential along with sacrifice and kindness: lessons everyone can learn and relearn. I give it a three because I'm an adult. My kids would rate it higher!
September 16, 2015
This book is great for 4-6th graders. The story was cute, the message was great. Westly, the caterpillar was excited to make his change. But, he came out of his cocoon as a spider, not a butterfly. He left his home and made friends with the "dirt eaters" that his kind would have never associated with. Westly found that he fit in more than he thought he did, and was able to help save the home and the life of his family.
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