Customer Reviews

An Interview with Harry the Tarantula

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Through interview format this book presents great insight into the life of tarantula. This book provides children with a delightful journey through some nonfiction; this is something children need more of. With all the nonfiction reading children have to do in upper grades, I try to expose them to as much of it as I can. This book shows children that nonfiction does not have to be dry and boring. I learned a lot about tarantulas through this book; they were creatures I never thought much about before. This text helps to make them seem less "creepy" to children. My students love this book and a few of them like to take the book aside and play the parts of tarantula and interviewer.

My 6 year old son brought Harry home from the school library. We thought it was real cute- great pictures, fun information... I was TOTALLY surprised when I got to the reproduction page. I though there was unnecessary information about "tapping in the right places" to get the spider "in a romantic mood" - Too much info for a 6 year old. My 8 year old was FULL OF QUESTIONS. I didn't mind the science part- it's the mentioned part that took me by surprise!!

The story is not very good to begin with. My 3 year old daughter picked it from the library, but was bored with it when we began to read. We stopped when we came to information about how Harry transfers his sperm sack. It goes on to tell about Harry tapping the female in "all the right places" to "put her in a romantic mood." I may be old fashioned, but to me, no children's book should have the word "sperm" in it. I'm also not ready to talk about reproduction with my 3 year old. I realize that National Geographic tends to be frank and informative, but this was too much for little kids. She is at the age where every new word gets used 100 times a day and I don't want her talking about sperm at daycare. Pass on this one...there are much better books out there. Luckily, we got it from the library, so we didn't waste money on it.

This book is both humorous and informative. My kids love it! The illustrations and dialog work perfectly together. This is a must have!

[[ASIN:0792251229 An Interview with Harry the Tarantula]
Very enjoyable story for those kids who are fascinated with bugs and spiders. My daughter really enjoys reading this and I love the humor.

This book was great. It is an interview on KBUG Radio by Katy Did of Harry Spyder. A National Geographic book it delivers facts in a fun way. The pictures are a little wild but my 8 year old really liked this book. Would be great for a unit on spiders too. Recommended for grades Kindergarten-3rd.