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

Troy Cummings (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 25, 2010 | Age Range: 3 - 7 years

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

• Age Range: 3 - 7 years
  
• 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 (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #843,521 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars I was expecting something a bit different June 11, 2010

By J. Prather TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

This is a cute picture book. The illustrations are kid friendly and complement the text well, and the story has a good message. This little spider freaks out when she's washed out that spout and swears off climbing for good. It's only with the help of a friendly ladybug that she is able to start climbing again - a little bit at a time. This message is a good one that kids can stand to hear again and again and who better to tell them than the spider they are all familiar with? The spider does not give up and goes on to even greater heights just because she didn't let a setback like a little rain ruin her fun. Great story.

My only problem here is that with a title like that, I was expecting a lot more humour! I thought there would be a lot more actual freaking out, but that was only a small part of the story. I didn't feel the drama and I wish the characters would have been a bit more expressive. I think I was just missing the big reactions and gags that would have turned this into a great story time read. Still a fan, but just a touch disappointed.

4 of 5 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

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

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

Format: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.