Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider

by Jessica Lanan

A nonfiction story following a day in the life of a backyard jumping spider.

What if you were small as a bean,
Could walk on the walls and ceiling,
Sense vibrations through your elbows,
And jump five times your body length?

That is Jumper's world.

Open this book to discover the hidden life of a backyard jumping spider.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Nature, Animals, Childrens, Science, Stem

48 pages, Hardcover

First published April 11, 2023

About the author

Jessica Lanan is the author and illustrator of Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider and The Fisherman and the Whale, a Colorado Book Award finalist and winner of the Bull-Bransom Award for wildlife art. She has illustrated many other books including The Lost Package by Richard Ho, Just Right: Searching for the Goldilocks Planet by Curtis Manley and the upcoming Thank You Moon by Melissa Stewart. Jessica aims to help young readers discover the beauty and diversity of their world by creating picture books that are inspiring, accessible, and memorable. She lives in Boulder, Colorado.

Reviews

[Jasmine from How Useful It Is · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for my 3 year old as we wake up in the morning. This story followed a spider's day out in the garden. A spider named Jumper. The spider being small, small as a bean where everything around her is big, like how a corner garden looks like a jungle to her. She narrowly escaped danger from a chickadee and a grasshopper by using her sense of hearing through the hairs all over its body and through her arms and legs in addition to the sense of seeing through her 8 different eyes. Jumper can walk up top or sideways because it can build a web with its silk and the silk is always there to catch her fall so she will never fall. If danger comes by the form of a human, she can jump 5 times its body length to safely.

This story is filled with facts about a spider written in a way of a story so readers gets to enjoy a story and learn animal facts. Awesome presentation! Love the illustrations!

Thank you MacKidsBooks for the opportunity to read and review!

[Lorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing non-fiction picture book. The combination of art, story and science make this a must read with children who are fascinated with spiders. The spider in this story lives in a community garden, which makes this setting familiar to all children. The garden setting shows not only the spider's world, but also has a human arc as we follow a child throughout the book. My favorite image is the gatefold where human and spider meet when the reader is also given the view as spider would actually see it which is very cool!

The art and story spill over to the jacket, the case, the end papers, etc. Every piece of the book offers more to the reader. Ink, watercolor, and gouache art brings the spider to life. I believe the intentional purpose of the book is to engage young readers without scaring them, making them more sympathetic to a small creature that most would be afraid to interact with in real life.

The main text of the story is easily shared with preschool through early elementary readers and listeners and is a perfect choice for classroom reading or story programs. The gentle learning is extended with six pages of more scientific information for those who would like to learn more about the jumping spider and how to find them and other spiders in nature.

I would highly recommend this book for purchase by any school or public library. I hope this title could be in serious consideration for awards based on its art (Caldecott) or information (Sibert).

[Kaz Windness · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love spiders, but even if you are fearful, this brilliant picture book featuring-- you guessed it!-- a jumping spider will change your mind. Exquisitely illustrated, this book puts you in the shoes... er... paws of a hungry garden spider as it hunts prey while avoiding becoming prey. It's "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" meets a non-fiction picture book told in a compelling storybook format, brilliantly accomplished like only Roaring Brook Press (see also the "If Animals Dissapeared" series by Lily Williams) can do. I bought a second copy after reading the book and will be sharing this with the special kids in my life. JUMP for a copy today. You'll be glad you did.

[DaNae · Rating 4 out of 5]

With apologies to Ronald Weasley, I love spiders. Jumper gives allows the reader to see the world from its eight-eyed view.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's it like to be a jumping spider? Find out with simple science and beautiful watercolors. Lots of back matter expands upon the text.

[Sierra Dertinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations and intriguing premise! This book allows kids who may be leery of spiders, actually learn some really cool facts about them. The nonfiction back matter is a huge bonus!

[Pam Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew very little about jumping spiders but I am now amazed by these talented creatures. Just goes to show how much you can learn from a children's non-fiction book! The information is told in a story format - perfect for younger children. Extensive backmatter at the end that should not be missed! Kids will be captivated with all of the info in this book.

[Miranda Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning illustrations. The forced perspective really helped me understand what it feels like to be so tiny. I thought it was a great way to learn about life from one of the smallest creatures.

[Ann Haefele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Narrative nonfiction at its best. Story, facts and stunning illustrations combine to tell a story of a small jumping spider during her day in the garden. As the story is told , a day in the life of a family near the garden is shown by the illustrations.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a must read for all kids. It teaches you about spiders in a story format. The illustrations are awesome! I really enjoyed the last couple of pages where it gives the spider facts. I will get this for my library.

[Peacegal · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Magical" is the word that comes to mind in this depiction of a jumping spider's miniature world, full of activity and close calls. Even those who may be a little hesitant on the subject of spiders will be enchanted by this wonderfully creative and educational presentation.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who knew how well jumping spiders could hear or how far they could jump? Learn all about this and much more in this picture book.

[Bethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful watercolors show the reader a day in the life of a jumper spider living in a neighborhood garden. Get a close up of her face on the case cover. End pages (designed with awareness of the jacket flaps) chock full of information and sources. Different text sizes move the day along. Love the spread that shows the 5 times body size jump, alongside of a girl jumping as well. Not quite as effective for me was the fold out page that shows the spider’s range of vision.

[Lauren Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book we experience what it would be like to be Jumper- a regal jumper spider. At the end of the book there are pages with educational information and images about spiders. This book is part of Wisconsin's 2025 Battle of the Books.

[sincerely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating by 7 and 8 year olds

[Jarred Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Date published: 2023
Award: Sibert medal
Genre: children’s literature, children’s non fiction
Review/summary: this is actually such a great wonderful story to read, but even better to have read to us. The story follows jumper a spider basically going around in about her normal everyday life and in this book we really get to see the perspective of jumper, especially in one part where she is trying to get food, but she’s not able to jump high enough. To me this book symbolizes a lot ofbeing who you are and not giving up.

[CYBILS Awards]

I know. It's spiders, but it is eligible! You can thank Natalie!!

[Jay WALD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you curios what a day in the life of a tiny jumping spider looks like? In this pleasant book, Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider by Jessica Lanan, It tells about a story of a jumping spider named Jumper and his daily life as a jumping spider. As I read this book, I was compelled and was fascinated how Jumper is able to tackle the different and varies challenges that he gets to face as a jumping spider. As he explores for food and the varies predator lurking at every corners he turns. Overall, the theme to get from this book is the underlying curiosity of Jumper as he explores and had explore his surrounding for a around the places his hunting, and the varies expedition of his encounter of other animals. Another theme that can be taken from this book is the wonders of nature or the environment, as Jumper explores for food he demonstrated what a spider interactions are in nature or the environment they resides in, and the many ways he uses his survival instinct to not bet prey from other animals that is twice as big as him. The main genre of this book I think is science as it gives a very detail explanation on the interaction of a jumping spider and the uses of his body hair to detect a spiders surrounding and it’s environment.Through reading this book, I learned the behavior and the of habitat a jumping spider and the large sum of information on how a jumping spider interact around his environment and their surrounding. I think to those reading this book, they would love they could learn about the many ways that nature offers and different animals coexist around the world that we live in.
This is a WOW book for me because it helps me understand what a jumping spider is all about, and their two versatile ability to sense their surround trough the vibrations from their body hair and eyes and also the surrounding they face to an extent in the world they explore around with with various animals and creatures.

As the story of Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider by Jessica Lanan, the two literary devices that I got from reading this book that the author pointed out was personification and immersive imagery. As this book showcase the concept of personification that highlights a jumping spider to a real life experience, and gives us readers Jumper some human characters that hopefully relates to readers when reading. As an example of Jumper making calls and deciding to explores new areas in the environment and the feeling to explores the surrounding as he search for food. This immersive imagery gives us readers to explore and be be able to see and immersive ourselves into the story as we follow Jumpers journey around his exploration in such various depicted images. The book paints a clear and engaging pictures that explore different the size of other animals compares to Jumper. I would consider this book to be an anti-bias book because it encourages and showcase the many animals in the planet and highlight the various creature whether it’s big and small. The authors also wanted to point out the the world of animals, being able to be in their shoes and see their perspective in the wild, specially spiders like Jumper.

[MaryAnn L · Rating 4 out of 5]

You’ll jump into a whole new world after reading Jumper:A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider by Jessica Lanan! In this book, we follow the perspective of a small jumping spider named Jumper as she moves through a large garden. Jumper explores, hides, climbs, and hunts using her powerful jumping abilities. Everyday objects quickly become obstacles that she has to use her unique skills to conquer. Each part of Jumper’s story shows how she depends on her sharp eyesight, quick reflexes, and natural instincts. Jumper uses all of her keen abilities to survive in this big, strange world, and her story shows how even a tiny spider works constantly to navigate and overcome the challenges around her. The major themes that can be seen throughout this book are curiosity and survival. Curiosity can be seen throughout the book as Jumper explores the garden, climbing around and discovering new animals and objects while looking for food. Survival is shown in parts of the story when Jumper faces potential dangers. Just like her, other predators are also hunting for food, trying to survive. Jumper displays survival skills when she hides from predators and escapes to stay alive. The main genre of this book is nonfiction because it tells a story while still teaching real scientific facts about jumping spiders. Through reading this book, I learned many interesting facts about jumping spiders! I learned how jumping spiders hunt by stalking with their incredible eyesight and jumping on their prey. I also learned that they can jump up to five times their body length! Jumping spiders may be small, but they have so many interesting things about their little and complex lives. This book was a WOW book for me because not only was it illustrated beautifully, but the close-up illustrations made me feel like I was in Jumper’s world. This book really immersed me into a different world and changed my whole perspective—quite literally.

The author used multiple literary devices and other forms of writing craft in this book. First, the author used the writing craft technique of vivid imagery. An example of this writing craft from the book is when Jumper’s movements are shown in close, detailed artwork. These detailed illustrations make the story look much more lively and wild. This writing craft technique enhanced the quality of the book by helping readers imagine exactly what the spider sees and experiences, almost as if we are the spider ourselves. Second, the author used the writing craft technique of personification. An example of this writing craft from the book is when the author shows Jumper reacting with curiosity, bravery, and excitement, similar to human emotions. This writing craft technique enhanced the quality of the book by helping readers connect more emotionally to Jumper the jumping spider, instead of just seeing her as a normal bug. I would consider this book to be an anti-bias book because it challenges the stigma that many people may have toward spiders. Jessica Lanan does a great job of showing how interesting and capable spiders really are. People who might assume spiders are scary or “useless” can be encouraged to see past their stigma and understand how misunderstood they are.

[Megan Willome · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider Jessica Lanan

In third grade I had to write a report on an animal, using sources from our school library. This was back in the day when encyclopedias reigned, but nonfiction picture books could count as well. I didn’t find one, but this picture book is the kind of informational source I was looking for — one that not only gave facts but that also helped me care about the object of those facts.

The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal is given to honor distinguished informational books for children. This is a nonfiction award, and the last few pages of “Jumper” include simple scientific explanations and diagrams about how jumping spiders jump. Third grade book report, here we come!

That’s the easy part of this book. The hard part is getting kids to love an ugly, hairy spider.

(No offense, Jumper. Looks are not your charism — jumping is.)

Jumper has eight eyes, eight hairly legs, and what looks like a terrifying mouth. She is “as small as a bean,” but if she were monster-sized, she could take down Godzilla with one leap.

This is her superpower, to “jump five times [her] body length.” She can jump away from a predator, like a cute Carolina chickadee, and she can jump toward prey, like a grasshopper. Whatever you think about Jumper, she is “our small and stealthy friend and neighbor.”

My favorite pictures illustrate what an eight-eyed creature sees — “in every direction at once … above and behind and all around.” Seeing these, I wonde what am I missing, with my two lowly eyes.

Those seeing pictures are when I began to think about the little girl, who appears throughout the book. What is she doing in a book about beautiful science?

She is helping tell the story.

This book is an example of Show, Don’t Tell at its finest. Author and illustrator Jessica Lanan doesn’t tell us why the girl is there — she shows us.

Girl watches … Jumper watches

Jumper climbs … Girl climbs

Girl jumps … Jumper jumps

Girl listens … Jumper listens (alert! more words used as illustrations!)

and finally, Girl, part of a family … Jumper, part of our Earthen family

It’s as if Lanan is saying, There are some strange and talented creatures in this world. They are a lot like you, Dear Reader. Let’s be good neighbors to each other. We are a community.

That's something poet Walt Whitman wrote about too, and he too used a spider.

"And you O my soul where you stand,
Surrounded, detached, in measureless oceans of space,
Ceaselessly musing, venturing, throwing, seeking the spheres to connect them,
Till the bridge you will need be form’d, till the ductile anchor hold,
Till the gossamer thread you fling catch somewhere, O my soul."

from "A Noiseless, Patient Spider," by Walt Whitman

“Jumper” won the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal.

[Christopher Checa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did you know that jumping spiders are smaller than the size of your nails? In this book, the author details an educational story of the life of a jumping spider. Looking through its perspective, the author follows and explains the different behaviors and uniqueness of the spider in our everyday world, eventually giving a more in depth guide at the end of the book. The book falls under the informational books genre and its major themes are exploration and nature. Jumper is filled with curiosity as it explores its environment in a yard where children play around. It demonstrates the spider’s predators and how it escapes using its own qualities and its environment. The book also shows how in nature everything has a role acting together as an ecosystem. It illustrates how different creatures, regardless of size, contribute to the balance in the environment, no matter how tiny it is. Through reading this book, children could learn about understanding the natural world of insects with different adaptations and survival skills. They can also learn to be more curious observers and be encouraged to look more into the smaller details in their surroundings, such as their backyard. This book was a WOW book for me because of its compelling illustrations that bring nature to the reader. It offers a look at a small spider with a fun balance of educational learning. Personally, this is a book I would love to read to my baby brother!

Two of the literary devices the author used in writing this book were onomatopoeia and dialogue. Onomatopoeia was a literary device that added to the quality of the writing in this book by bringing the story to life using the outside noise of children yelling and sounds of water splashing when birds play. This makes the reader more drawn in the life around it and how busy it is. Another literary device used to add quality to the book is dialogue. The descriptive language painted a more rich picture to the environment of the spider. It described how its hairs can sense predators and how strong its legs are making it jump five times more than its size. I would consider this book to be an anti-bias book because it encourages connecting to the natural world and its inhabitants without any harmful stereotypes of its surroundings or insects. This book is diverse in character and teaches a fascinating and educational spider that is not always seen everyday.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that I would not have picked up for myself, but after reading all the great reviews I decided it was one that would have good educational value for my kids and I was not disappointed in that regard. I am not sure I'm all the way over on Team Spider now... I know they are important but they still creep me out and this story is so realistic in the illustrations that I couldn't help but cringe as I read (unlike the anthropomorphic spider in the likes of Be Nice to Spiders that I found actually endearing) BUT that is not a criticism of the book. Indeed, I applaud the author/ illustrator for making a visually gorgeous (if you don't mind spiders!) book that has an interesting and accessible story for young readers, setting the spider a true protagonist without having to overly cutesy it up, and yet also providing detailed enough back matter for even this adult reader to learn something. Definitely recommended if the subject appeals -- or if you'd like to appreciate spiders just a little bit more even if you still don't really *like* them ;-)

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spend the day with Jumper, an impossibly cute Regal Jumper as she hunts in a backyard garden. A human child and her family work in the garden while Jumper also goes about her life, hunting and avoiding being hunted.

Jumper is a completely engaging little creature only the size of a bean but with some extraordinary abilities that Lanan demonstrates in brilliant and beautiful illustrations, giving young readers context and comparisons that make the little spider's talents fully understandable. Jumper is shown, for example, making a leap after prey while in the background, the little girl also jumps. A double page spread dramatically reveals what it is like to see with Jumper's 8-eyed vision. Some scenes are spider-size perspective and some from the child's perspective. Lanan has used ink, watercolor and gouache and the illustrations are truly beautiful as well as being accurate, and extremely effective, helping children to comprehend a spider's world.

Extensive back matter provides a plethora of additional information, including a 6-part guide for locating and observing spiders. Science has never been so fun!

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful introduction to the oft-maligned of wild critters, the spider.

Opening with front endsheets showing a jumping spider leaving a trail behind her, Lanan tries to calm the fear of spiders and replace it with respect and admiration for the tiny creature.

Lanan begins by comparing the size of the spider to a bean. Readers see the perspectives from both sides - from the girl's and from Jumper's. Readers learn how she moves from one pace to another, whether by using her web or by jumping, evade enemies, catches prey, and hears and sees both prey and danger. Backmatter includes special anatomy that jumping spiders use daily, a cutaway to see the spider's insides, the life cycle of a jumping spider, glossary of terms, author's note, tips for finding and identifying spiders, an a resource list.

Lanan's beautiful illustrations were created using ink, watercolor, and gouache. Visually, this beautifully composed book is a delight with multiple perspectives, range of colors, textures, and shapes.

Pull out for units on arachnids and for Halloween!! Text is easy enough for emergent readers.

Highly Recommended for PreSchool-grades 2.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw the cover of this book months ago and immediately put it in my to-order cart, without even seeing reviews. Thankfully the reviews were positive, and today I finally got my hands on it. I have become fond of certain types of spiders ever since I started gardening, and jumping spiders (believe it or not!) actually have really cute faces and oftentimes interesting colors or patterns. I'm not saying I'd be super pumped to find one crawling on my arm, but I certainly wouldn't squash one in my house, you know? They have been elevated to catch and release status for sure.

Anyway, this book is gorgeous. I love how it frames each cool spider feature as "imagine if you could..." and then "this is how Jumper does xyz". It was cute and predictable without being irritating. And the ART--I love it. It's so wonderful and warm. Not only is the spider done well, but pay attention to the humans in the background. It's honestly such a lovely book. Highly recommended, and I hope it makes families at my library happy.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this beautiful, almost non-fiction, picture book, we get a spider’s view of the world around her. We begin by getting a peek at just how tiny Jumper’s world is and then we get to follow her, on her level, as she moves, jumps, meets other small creatures (insects, etc) We look at where she goes, what she gets to eat and we even have a 4 page spread that gives us an idea of what and how she sees! In the background, on most pages, there is her counter-part in the shape of a little girl that mimics Jumper’s crawling, exploring and jumping.

Realistic and soft illustrations are set in ink, watercolor and gouache. Perspective is the key here. Readers get a spider’s – eye(s) view of Jumper’s world. On various pages we are above, looking down or underneath mushrooms and leaves in the garden watching ants or seen underneath with a side view as Jumpers sails throw the air to capture a fly. Finally we are dangling by a thread as Jumper enjoys a well-sought after meal.

End papers give fun facts as well as an author’s note, glossary and other resources.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

K-5. Jumper is a backyard jumping spider. This non-fiction title is a true delight as it explores Jumper’s daily happenings through the lens of this very small but mighty hunter. With eight legs and six eyes, two that are functional and four that are for scaring off and confusing predators, a hairy exterior and a lot of stealth, this spider is born to be a successful hunter. Jumper can hear the tiniest vibrations through hairs covering its eight legs. Jumper hears the footsteps of tasty bugs nearby allowing him time to assume the perfect position to strike. Their keen sense of hearing makes Jumper vigilant against predators as they can sense bird wing vibrations before attempts are made to swoop and scoop Jumper as the bird’s next meal. By launching their entire body five times their body length Jumper can outwit the jumpiest bugs in the garden and forest. This book is full of wonder and whimsical informative illustrations connecting readers to the microscopic lens of a jumping spider’s world view.

[Michelle Cusolito · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book opens:
“What if you were very small.
Smaller than a cat or dog,
bar of soap,
or a bottle cap.
As small as a bean.
What would your world be like?”

And then the book is wonderfully written and illustrated from the point of view of a jumping spider. The gorgeous opening image shows a young child crouched down to examine a bean on the ground—such a typical stance for a young child—which welcomes young readers right into the spider’s world. Then readers get to see a day in the life of this spider as it tries to eat while avoiding being eaten. A spectacular gate fold shows what the world might look like through the spider’s eight eyes.
Extensive back matter includes details about spider anatomy, its life cycle, and how it courts. There’s also a glossary, tips for finding and identifying spiders, and a list of resources, along with thanks for the many experts who assisted.

[Sunday · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if you were very small?
Smaller than a cat or a dog,
a bar of soap,
or a bottle cap.
As small as a bean.
What would your world be like?

Lanan's writing does a fabulous job of drawing young readers into listening. Her illustrations are enthralling, extending the text in so many ways.

Recommend reading aloud in TK-2nd. Students who have a fear of spiders may change their minds!

DON'T SKIP THE BACK MATTER - Beautiful close-ups of a jumping spider's paw, the spinerret, etc with detailed explanations of how the spider uses this physical characteristic. Lanan also includes steps for finding and identifying spiders. Parts of the back matter could be read aloud to K-2nd but I'd also recommend getting into the hands of 3rd-5th grade as well.
The design of the whole text could be a great WRITING WORKSHOP MENTOR as well.

PARTNER WITH -
Nic Bishop Spiders by Nic Bishop
Scurry! The Truth About Spiders by Annette Whipple

[Emma Rewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of current and accurate information about jumping spiders as told through the lens of one particular little arachnid: Jumper. It follows her around
the garden, telling about her day and all of her unique features that help her navigate and survive. The author uses simple, concise, and repetitive language making the readability perfect for children. Even the end notes use these terms from the book and then expands on them with greater scientific detail. The author also compares Jumper’s abilities to what a human can do, too, making it more relatable to what children already hold in their schema. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful! It includes a gatefold that gives a clear idea of how Jumper sees the world with all eight of her eyes. All the images add to the meaning of the text by giving a clear visual of what the words are explaining to the point where some pages don’t have any text at all so that just the pictures tell the story.