Spiders!
Bible critters Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
The book 'Spiders!' by Pat Matuszak provides an in-depth exploration of spiders, discussing their biology, behavior, and role in ecosystems. It describes various spider species, their abilities to spin webs, hunting techniques, and corrects common myths and fears about these arachnids. The book emphasizes the ecological importance of spiders in controlling insect populations and maintaining biodiversity, with the goal of fostering appreciation and understanding. Additionally, the book contains a fictional story for children ages 4-8 about spiders on Noah's ark. It humorously portrays Mrs. Noah's initial view of spiders as pests, while illustrating the essential role they play in keeping the ark free from other insects through engaging and slightly spooky illustrations.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
36 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What was your favorite part of learning about spiders in this book, and why?
How do you think spiders are important to our environment?
Can you describe how spiders make their webs?
If you were a spider, what kind of web would you make and where would you build it?
What new fact about spiders did you find most surprising or interesting?
Tip: Role play these questions
Show genuine interest in your child’s responses, and ask them to elaborate on their thoughts to deepen the conversation.
Use the illustrations in the book to point out different types of spiders and their webs, fostering a visual connection to the information.
Relate the book’s content to your child’s own experiences, such as seeing spiders in the garden, to make the discussion more relatable.
Encourage your child to think critically by asking them how they think the world would be different without spiders.
After reading, you can explore more about spiders together online or in a local library to continue learning.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Learning
Explanation: The book 'Spiders!' introduces children to the intriguing world of spiders through engaging facts and vibrant illustrations, stimulating a natural curiosity about science and biology.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to explore and ask questions about the natural world around them, enhancing their observational skills and understanding of biology.
Example Lesson: Overcoming Fear
Explanation: Through detailed information about spiders, this book helps demystify these often misunderstood creatures, showing that they are not as scary as they seem.
Real-World Application: Teaches children to confront and overcome their fears by gaining knowledge, helping them to approach other fears in life with a similar strategy.
Example Lesson: Importance of Nature's Creatures
Explanation: The book explains the role of spiders in the ecosystem, such as their contribution to controlling insect populations.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand the balance of ecosystems and the importance of every creature, fostering a sense of environmental stewardship.
Example Lesson: Appreciation for Books and Learning
Explanation: As a work filled with fascinating facts, 'Spiders!' encourages a love for books and the knowledge they hold.
Real-World Application: Motivates children to read more and use books as a gateway to learning new and exciting things, which can lead to improved literacy skills.
Example Lesson: Critical Thinking
Explanation: By presenting information on how to differentiate between various types of spiders, the book fosters analytical skills.
Real-World Application: Enables children to use critical thinking to categorize and differentiate objects, a skill useful in academics and everyday decision-making.