What do you think?
Rate this book
Awake
In a big, big city
on a busy street
at the tipity-top of a tall building
lives a girl.
One night, after a story,
a snuggle,
and one last sip of water,
she was getting sleepy...when out of the corner of her eye...
\\ () //
//(__)\\
SPIDER
The girl was no longer sleepy. Now, she was...AWAKE.
In a brilliant debut, Mags DeRoma gives us an empowered young child who is trying to solve the biggest problem she's ever how to get the spider out of her room without actually having to go near it.
With bold cut-paper art, AWAKE is sure to stay with readers for a long time.
on a busy street
at the tipity-top of a tall building
lives a girl.
One night, after a story,
a snuggle,
and one last sip of water,
she was getting sleepy...when out of the corner of her eye...
\\ () //
//(__)\\
SPIDER
The girl was no longer sleepy. Now, she was...AWAKE.
In a brilliant debut, Mags DeRoma gives us an empowered young child who is trying to solve the biggest problem she's ever how to get the spider out of her room without actually having to go near it.
With bold cut-paper art, AWAKE is sure to stay with readers for a long time.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published October 19, 2021
69 people want to read
About the author
Mags DeRoma
5 books5 followersMags DeRoma is an artist and storyteller. She loves to make all kinds of things: collages, games, snacks for hungry skateboarders, elaborate recipes, and her debut picture book, Awake. She is constantly inspired by her family and her community in California.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 42 reviews
December 13, 2021
A fantastic book for kids! I loved how the copyright/dedication page presented to look like a spider web. I liked the mentioned of the itsy bitsy nursery rhyme in this story. It was very fitting. The big font surrounding the girl to be brave was a plus because our first instant reaction when seeing a bug was to scream. The different ideas the girl came up to catch the spider were fun to see. I liked the lasso idea and the bubbles. The crane was a hilarious one too! The girl’s dog, Oscar, was cute. He was not only a comfort to the girl but also gave her ideas by fetching her the nursery rhymes’ book.
This book opened up to instant actions, presented with cool illustrations on the copyright page and title page. The story then began, followed a girl wearing striped pajamas. She’s at the window of her bedroom inside a tall building in a big city on top of a busy street. She was getting ready to sleep when she noticed movements from the corner of her eyes, a spider. If she was sleepy earlier, she’s wide awake by the sight of the spider. She looked around her room for something to kill it with. She tried closing her eyes hoping that it will leave. It didn’t. She thought and thought and remembered how the rain wash the spider down the water spout. She came up with a bunch of other ideas, like using a lasso or using a slingshot to catch it. Later when she caught it, she realized the spider was just an itsy bitsy and it might have been scared of her. At the end of the book, there were directions to teach young readers how to safely catch a spider.
Awake was well written and illustrated. I loved the girl’s striped pajamas. It stood out beautifully on the nighttime background. The details in the girl’s room was great. It gave me the opportunity to teach my toddler the names of different objects such as baseball, baseball bat, red shoe, lamp, etc. There was an amazing view of the city from above at night which opened out into a 4-page wide. It was breathtaking! We all experienced this situation at one point in time or another. It’s relatable and it’s an excellent read. I highly recommend everyone to read this book!
xoxo, Jasmine at www.Howusefulitis.com for more details
Many thanks to MacKidsBooks for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
This book opened up to instant actions, presented with cool illustrations on the copyright page and title page. The story then began, followed a girl wearing striped pajamas. She’s at the window of her bedroom inside a tall building in a big city on top of a busy street. She was getting ready to sleep when she noticed movements from the corner of her eyes, a spider. If she was sleepy earlier, she’s wide awake by the sight of the spider. She looked around her room for something to kill it with. She tried closing her eyes hoping that it will leave. It didn’t. She thought and thought and remembered how the rain wash the spider down the water spout. She came up with a bunch of other ideas, like using a lasso or using a slingshot to catch it. Later when she caught it, she realized the spider was just an itsy bitsy and it might have been scared of her. At the end of the book, there were directions to teach young readers how to safely catch a spider.
Awake was well written and illustrated. I loved the girl’s striped pajamas. It stood out beautifully on the nighttime background. The details in the girl’s room was great. It gave me the opportunity to teach my toddler the names of different objects such as baseball, baseball bat, red shoe, lamp, etc. There was an amazing view of the city from above at night which opened out into a 4-page wide. It was breathtaking! We all experienced this situation at one point in time or another. It’s relatable and it’s an excellent read. I highly recommend everyone to read this book!
xoxo, Jasmine at www.Howusefulitis.com for more details
Many thanks to MacKidsBooks for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
November 14, 2021
A girl wearing striped PJs, a spider that makes her very much AWAKE, and gorgeous collage art in reds and pinks and midnight blues that varies and pops in composition. In the end, this picture book arrives at empathy for creatures that are super scary but turn out to be itsy bitsy after all.
September 29, 2021
In a big, big city on a busy street a little girl has her bedroom at the tipity-top of a pretty tall building. Just as she is getting sleepy and ready for bed ...
SPIDER!
... now the girl is not sleepy. She is awake.
No way is she going to sleep with a spider in her room. So the little girl starts brainstorming ways to remove the spider only to realize that the she might not be the only one scared by this sudden development in Awake (2021) by Mags Deroma.
Awake is Deroma's picture book debut. As the copyright page notes, her artwork is created "with paint and soft pastels on a gazillion pieces of cut paper all collaged together." This technique gives a colorblock look to Deroma's illustrations while also offering opportunities for intricate details in wide views of the city outside the girl's bedroom windows.
Every piece of this book ties back to the story from the copyright laid out like a spiderweb to the endpapers urging readers to open their eyes, minds, and hearts to be awake. The endpapers at the back of the book includes tips to remove any pesky spiders with a glass and a piece of cardboard--the technique our protagonist employs upon realizing the spider is more itsy bitsy than big and scary.
Awake is a dynamic picture book that makes use of the brief text and bold artwork to add action and drama to the story as the little girl contends with her unwanted companion. The artwork also contrasts the girl's reality in her bedroom well with her interior monologue as she tries to figure out how to deal with her arachnid visitor.
Awake is a fun, sweet story ideal for reading at bedtime or in tandem with other pro-bug picture book adventures.
Possible Pairings: Worm Loves Worm by J. J. Austrian and Mike Curato, The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle, Diary of a Spider by Doreen Cronin and Harry Bliss, How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers, Thank You and Goodnight by Patrick McDonnell, The Dark by Lemony Snicket and Jon Klassen
*An advance copy of this title was provided by the publisher for review consideration*
SPIDER!
... now the girl is not sleepy. She is awake.
No way is she going to sleep with a spider in her room. So the little girl starts brainstorming ways to remove the spider only to realize that the she might not be the only one scared by this sudden development in Awake (2021) by Mags Deroma.
Awake is Deroma's picture book debut. As the copyright page notes, her artwork is created "with paint and soft pastels on a gazillion pieces of cut paper all collaged together." This technique gives a colorblock look to Deroma's illustrations while also offering opportunities for intricate details in wide views of the city outside the girl's bedroom windows.
Every piece of this book ties back to the story from the copyright laid out like a spiderweb to the endpapers urging readers to open their eyes, minds, and hearts to be awake. The endpapers at the back of the book includes tips to remove any pesky spiders with a glass and a piece of cardboard--the technique our protagonist employs upon realizing the spider is more itsy bitsy than big and scary.
Awake is a dynamic picture book that makes use of the brief text and bold artwork to add action and drama to the story as the little girl contends with her unwanted companion. The artwork also contrasts the girl's reality in her bedroom well with her interior monologue as she tries to figure out how to deal with her arachnid visitor.
Awake is a fun, sweet story ideal for reading at bedtime or in tandem with other pro-bug picture book adventures.
Possible Pairings: Worm Loves Worm by J. J. Austrian and Mike Curato, The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle, Diary of a Spider by Doreen Cronin and Harry Bliss, How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers, Thank You and Goodnight by Patrick McDonnell, The Dark by Lemony Snicket and Jon Klassen
*An advance copy of this title was provided by the publisher for review consideration*
June 30, 2022
¡¡La araña pequeñita!!
What an adorable girl, dog and spider. This is exactly how we treat spiders in our home. ᄽ︾ᄿ
What an adorable girl, dog and spider. This is exactly how we treat spiders in our home. ᄽ︾ᄿ
February 14, 2022
So very cute!!!
August 29, 2022
Perfect!!
Beautifully illustrated with a message of kindness!!
Beautifully illustrated with a message of kindness!!
October 23, 2021
Join the Books + Bliss Book community for reviews and GIVEAWAYS here: https://www.facebook.com/Bliss-Books-...
E-ARC provided by Macmillan books in exchange for an honest review.
Spiders. Not my favorite thing and I’m not sure why. Is it because they are ugly? Is it because they creep out from a dark hiding spot when I least expect it? Whatever it is, I’m not a fan. Mags DeRoma is encouraging readers like myself to rethink spiders and take back their power in the beautiful picture book, Awake. Read on for a full review of Awake a lovely novel perfect for the season written and illustrated by Mags DeRoma!
Somewhere in an urban community, a little girl is about to go to bed when she spots a spider. She quietly plots how to get rid of it- she has ideas of lassoing it, flying it away on a paper plane and other fantastical ways. Once she traps the spider though she has a change heart…..are spiders really as creepy as they look?
Mags DeRoma’s brilliant debut picture book Awake is perfect for the Halloween or Fall season when there is an emphasis of spooky spiders. While the prose is simple, the illustrations show the fun emotions and uncertainty the little girl has with her uninvited guest. The illustrations are detailed and considered the paper cut style, mostly block drawings with straight lines. The illustrations aren’t simplistic at all, in fact my child and I loved the scenes of the neighborhood and the pages showing the little girl in movement.
We liked that the ending of Awake had tips for catching and releasing spiders. This is such a sweet little story, perfect for bedtime and it reminds kids that spiders are probably more scared of them than the other way around!
E-ARC provided by Macmillan books in exchange for an honest review.
Spiders. Not my favorite thing and I’m not sure why. Is it because they are ugly? Is it because they creep out from a dark hiding spot when I least expect it? Whatever it is, I’m not a fan. Mags DeRoma is encouraging readers like myself to rethink spiders and take back their power in the beautiful picture book, Awake. Read on for a full review of Awake a lovely novel perfect for the season written and illustrated by Mags DeRoma!
Somewhere in an urban community, a little girl is about to go to bed when she spots a spider. She quietly plots how to get rid of it- she has ideas of lassoing it, flying it away on a paper plane and other fantastical ways. Once she traps the spider though she has a change heart…..are spiders really as creepy as they look?
Mags DeRoma’s brilliant debut picture book Awake is perfect for the Halloween or Fall season when there is an emphasis of spooky spiders. While the prose is simple, the illustrations show the fun emotions and uncertainty the little girl has with her uninvited guest. The illustrations are detailed and considered the paper cut style, mostly block drawings with straight lines. The illustrations aren’t simplistic at all, in fact my child and I loved the scenes of the neighborhood and the pages showing the little girl in movement.
We liked that the ending of Awake had tips for catching and releasing spiders. This is such a sweet little story, perfect for bedtime and it reminds kids that spiders are probably more scared of them than the other way around!
July 15, 2021
This book was a pleasant surprise! What is keeping our young protagonist awake? A spider! And how to get rid of the sleep deterrent? That is the focus of the story! The spread where the spider is on the windowsill - with the whole city skyline behind - lovely. All of the illustrations are amazing but that spread - the expression on the spider's face - and the spread after showing the opposite side of the windowsill with the web. No words - just amazing illustrations.
The story references the itsy-bitsy spider in a few places so it would be a natural to pair with that story plus maybe an extended version. If are just a little bit afraid of spiders then this book might help you understand them a bit better. It might not completely alleviate your fears but it should make you think before just randomly swatting small creatures out of existence.
This could definitely be a great story time book!
The story references the itsy-bitsy spider in a few places so it would be a natural to pair with that story plus maybe an extended version. If are just a little bit afraid of spiders then this book might help you understand them a bit better. It might not completely alleviate your fears but it should make you think before just randomly swatting small creatures out of existence.
This could definitely be a great story time book!
November 1, 2021
The illustrations of this book are the star of the show--DeRoma nails it--slow down for the open-fold pages, which are stellar (sorry!). The storyline, curiously, leaves the child to face and overcome her fears on her own. Thankfully, there's no adult in the story to dismiss the fears with, "There's nothing to be afraid of," or "It's just a spider," or "Let's focus on something else." Many adults share the same phobia!! But the focus on thinking her way out of the fear seems to be just a different shade of this. Her turning point comes when she sees the spider from an entirely different perspective, empathy maybe, afraid itself. This in general seems true to life experience. But with a spider? I'm afraid this creates a small "Aww" moment rather than one of relief. (I need to field test this book with my grandchildren.) I wish DeRoma had hand-lettered the entire book--the large display text is powerful and evocative, while the narrative text seems a bit sterile and a mismatch.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2022
I enjoyed so much about this fun, charming book! This is one of those picture books you'll read over and over again. The art is GORGEOUS and has you discovering new treasures each time you open it. Thematically, it works all year round, but because it stars a spider, it works great as a Halloween gift for a child or an adult picture book lover. I got it for a bunch of children last Halloween. The kids were different ages, ranging from 6 months to 6 years old. I was told by their parents that the whole family LOVES the book. They love looking at the details of the art and adored the story, all having lots of empathy for the spider by the end. As a former educator, I felt the story was written in a relatable way for kids, centered around messages of courage, perspective, and kindness. I especially appreciate the end papers, which I won't reveal. You'll have to find out when you read the book yourself!
July 16, 2021
I received an electronic ARC from MacKids through Picture Book Palooza.
Cute story about facing your fear. In this case, the young girl has settled into bed for the night but sees... a spider. Readers will jump at the way the author reveals this and some will identify with this concern. Humor swirls as the girl figures out how to get the spider out of her room so she can sleep. Love the ending where it is released outside. Tips for catching spiders and other insects provided at the end.
The illustration color scheme captures the emotions well.
Cute story about facing your fear. In this case, the young girl has settled into bed for the night but sees... a spider. Readers will jump at the way the author reveals this and some will identify with this concern. Humor swirls as the girl figures out how to get the spider out of her room so she can sleep. Love the ending where it is released outside. Tips for catching spiders and other insects provided at the end.
The illustration color scheme captures the emotions well.
January 13, 2022
A child about to go to sleep spots a spider out of the corner of their eye. Suddenly, they're scared—and very awake! After thinking of a lot of ways to potentially kill the spider, they end up trapping it under a glass...and realize that the spider isn't big and scary after all, but just a lil spider who is probably afraid itself! A very cute accompaniment to "the itsy bitsy spider."
Themes: Fear, Night, Spider, Insects
Age range: Toddler-Kindergarten
Themes: Fear, Night, Spider, Insects
Age range: Toddler-Kindergarten
August 31, 2022
Is Itsy Bitsy Spider scaring you awake? Every kid’s nightmare (and mine too) is a big hairy spider in your room at bedtime. But Mags DeRoma in AWAKE has the perfect solution that makes you both laugh, love and feel perfectly relieved at the end of the story. The artwork in this book is absolutely beautiful. Each little collage strip is a piece of art and there is no book about spiders that makes me as happy as this one.
June 19, 2023
This is a debut picture book. Wow! It is outstanding about the fear of a spider which gets turned around by the end of the book. The layout of the book is fun to read and I enjoyed the spread which outreached the book to show the city's horizon. The end paper holds a fantastic message: To relocate a surprise guest, you will need~A glass; some cardboard; a kind heart (and perhaps courage). First give it a little name. HARRY. (Take a DEEEEEP BREATH!) and so forth...very cool!
January 3, 2022
Deroma's imaginative tale of arachnophobia is told with cleverly crafted language and wonderfully detailed collage illustrations. The two often become one as the words bend and shift into part of the pictures, or the objects are arranged to emphasize the text. The ending comes a bit abruptly, but the journey overall is a blast.
February 24, 2022
The illustrations done in paper collage with paint and pastels are delightful. A young girl is about to fall asleep when she notices a spider in her room. She considers smashing it, wishing it away, washing it down the spout, and "loads and loads" of other ideas, including blasting it to the moon. Finally catching the beast under a glass allows her time to consider another option.
March 8, 2022
This is such a fun book! I have read it several times, for myself and my grandchildren. The images are filled with such detail, I had to explore them over and over. The hero of the story is a delightful, creative girl who shows us there is more than one way to solve a problem. She also awakens us to compassion for other more than human creatures.
August 12, 2022
This story about extending loving kindness to all creatures, including hairy beasts like Harry, has so much going for it as a clever reworking of “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” nursery rhyme. By the end, there’s nothing to be scared of—except the nightmarish eyes of the girl, which might haunt the imagination well after bedtime. Too bad, because the colorful illustrations are so well rendered, especially the depictions of Harry and Oscar and this child’s urban domain. The centerfold is a work of genius. But those eyes—yikes!
May 20, 2024
This is a good book about how we shouldn’t be afraid of little spiders… or bugs in general, although, I am still and probably always be afraid of bugs. The character was ready to go to sleep until she spotted a spider on her bedroom floor. She tried to catch it and when she finally did, she realized how tiny the spider is. And let it go.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2025
I really like how this book is illustrated. It’s very minimal colors but very fun drawings and details (and unique pages). It’s just a good book to be reminded how something so small could be so scary but how do we think it feels when it sees something so big? Could be fun to create a spider trap in a class! Or a how to catch a spider plan…
July 15, 2021
And adorable book about a girl and a way she solves a problem that kept her awake. I can totally relate to the story! Beautiful illustrations further enhance the story. This is a great story time book that can be paired with the Itsy-Bitsy Spider one, which is mentioned in the story.
October 27, 2021
This may be my autobiography right up until the ending. It is a nice way to acknowledge the very common fear of spiders that many people have (she said defensively) but also to introduce the idea that you may also be frightening to the spider.
January 11, 2022
Adorable illustrations contrasting a seemingly scary subject go well with the ending where the child overcomes their fear. Good tale and lesson to share. I wish the title were more clearly tied to the idea of being awake to the world around you. That seemed like a bit of a loose end.
January 15, 2022
A young girl thinks of the many ways to get rid of the scary spider on her window sill, until she comes face to face with it. This book encourages readers to be kind to all creatures through illustrations that will have them laughing.
Reviewer #6
Reviewer #6
May 12, 2023
Simply a story about a girl trying to get a spider out of her bedroom so she can go to sleep? Or a deeper story about persistence, ingenuity, new perspectives, and a girl facing her fears and saving herself? I'd say both.
July 13, 2021
So good. Amazing illustrations!!!
July 15, 2021
SO CUTE! I can completely relate to this story.
November 2, 2021
Great storytelling and illustrations about a child trying to rid their room of a spider. A story about how problems and fears can seem bigger in our imagination than in reality.
December 8, 2021
As a spider relocator myself, I approve of this message and enjoyed the illustrations.
I recommend Ms. Tara and others with a dramatic fear of spiders read this book.
I recommend Ms. Tara and others with a dramatic fear of spiders read this book.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 42 reviews