The Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks Out (Big Time) [Hardcover]

Troy Cummings (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 25, 2010 | Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Artist Troy Cummings has created a clever spin-off of the "Eensy Weensy Spider" nursery rhyme in this humorous picture book, sure to appeal to kids and adults who also love fractured fairy tales.

The Eensy Weensy Spider climbed up the waterspout . . . and everyone knows what happens next! By the time the sun comes out to dry up all the rain, the Eensy Weensy Spider has freaked out over her washout, big-time! "There's no way I'm climbing back up that gutter!" she says. Eensy has lost her climbing courage, but with the help of her best ladybug friend, Polly, she begins to take on bigger and bigger climbing challenges until she's rewarded with the most spectacular view of outer space that any bug has ever seen! Hilarious text and a retro, graphic art style take this popular nursery rhyme to new heights. There's also a fun size chart on the end pages for kids to track Eensy's progress as she tackles taller and taller objects. Spin-offs of children's songs and nursery rhymes are very popular with kids, parents, and teachers!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1–3—Everyone knows the old nursery rhyme, but this clever picture book focuses on what happens between the spider's being washed out of the waterspout and finding the courage to climb it again. Eensy, embarrassed by her fall, goes into hiding and vows to keep all eight legs on the ground, until her ladybug friend, Polly, encourages her to start small. Eensy faces her fears and climbs a potted plant, then a fireplug, a dog, and a mailbox. Her confidence growing, she scales higher and higher objects, until finally the rocket she climbs takes her to the Moon. With a clever text full of witty asides (the newspaper Spider Insider: All the News That's Fit to Spin covers the story); comical, cartoon illustrations featuring Eensy in a striped scarf; and energetic pacing, this title offers a contemporary take on an old favorite that remains grounded in the emotional world of a child.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD
(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Review

The spider's delight in her accomplishments and her steady climb to success provide a gentle template for small readers with their own fears to overcome. Ages 3-5. 

--Publishers Weekly

A groovy alternative to the traditional nursery song, this not only models problem-solving but how to be a good friend as well.  --Kirkus Reviews --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (May 25, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375865829
• ISBN-13: 978-0375865824
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 0.4 x 10.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #687,634 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny, colorful, retelling of everyone's favorite song, May 26, 2010

By 

Dan Dudley - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks Out (Big Time) (Hardcover)

This terrific re-telling of the "eensy-weensy (or itsy-bitsy) spider" tale is smart, funny, and visually appealing. It's just long enough to be a perfect read-with-me book, and kids will enjoy the colorful, detailed illustrations and cheerful characters. Perhaps best of all, adults will find the visual jokes quite funny, even after re-reading the book many times. It's already a favorite in my household. Highly recommended for any family that sings "The Eensy-Weensy/Itsy Bitsy Spider" on a daily basis.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It had my kids at eensy weensy spider...., November 8, 2010

By 

Mazzie Bee "Teacher and Mom" (New Jersey, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks Out (Big Time) (Hardcover)

This book grabbed my preschoolers attention right away. They love the eensy weensy spider and were curious about why she "freaked out!" Then when they learned that she was SCARED of climbing after she fell, they identified with her... They literally cheered when she overcame her fears. Fun book, good message - a hit at our house.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This zany fractured fairy tale starring the "new" Eensy Weensy Spider will give your little one a case of the giggles!, October 9, 2010

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks Out (Big Time) (Hardcover)

The eensy weensy spider had all eight legs moving and was climbing up the waterspout. That was exactly what eensy weensy spiders are supposed to do, but when the rain came down and washed her out with a tippy tumble it was just totally embarrassing. Things just didn't happen to her like that and she "freaked out, big-time!" To save face she just yelled at another spider and claimed, "There's no way I'm climbing back up that gutter! If I had a neck, I could have broken it!" Well, news flies fast and before you know it, eensy weensy's failure was spread all over the Web. She read about in on the "Spider Insider" and if it was there you can bet it was on Facebook and Twitter.

She was so upset she stayed in her "garden apartment" and only peeked out around her yellow polka dot curtains. Her friend Polly, a ladybug, finally ambled up her stone walkway to pay her a visit. Eensy Weensy looked totally depressed when Polly tried to talk to her about the incident and claimed she'd "never felt so low." There was no way she was going to try again, but a little teasing goes a long way. "BAWK BAWK! C'mon you big chicken . . . " Blah, blah, blah and Eensy Weensy was out there eying a plant pot. First it was one leg and then the other seven followed. You go girl! She made it to the top of the plant pot, then the fireplug, and even a mailbox. Was Eensy Weensy going to redeem herself for all her fans or was she going prove herself to be a big failure?

This zany fractured fairy tale starring the "new" Eensy Weensy Spider will give your little one a case of the giggles. Eensy Weensy and her unexpected fall from grace on the Web has been very popular with the eensy weensy ones in my neck of the woods. She learns that you simply cannot hide under a rock (or in a garden apartment) and expect to succeed at anything. This book shows that she was daring and willing to try climbing again even though she tumbled down that spout. The surprising little twist at the end will have everyone smiling. The "new" Eensy Weensy was a lot of fun and if you like your fairy tales sprinkled with a bit of humor, this is one fractured fairy tale you might want to consider!