Little Miss Spider At Sunnypatch School [Hardcover]

David Kirk (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Little Miss Spider

Little Miss Spider's very first day at school "brings nothing but frustration as the little arachnid finds she is a failure at leaf chewing, flying, stinging, and other bug activities...[When] she rescues a fellow classmate from a spout...the principal praises her for her kindness, the best gift of all." - School Library Journal

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Sunny Patch School
Was the best place to go
To study the lessons
All bugs ought to know.
When the first day of school arrives, Little Miss Spider is almost beside herself with excitement. She gobbles her breakfast ("a fresh flower plate") and runs all the way to Sunny Patch School. But poor Miss Spider is in for a day of frustration. She can't seem to master the new lessons: dung digging, leaf drilling, stinging, or flying. As the day draws to a close, Miss Spider bemoans her lack of skills. Isn't there anything she can do well? We are all soon to find out...

David Kirk's bestselling Miss Spider series, including Miss Spider's Tea Party and Miss Spider's New Car, blasts the reader with brilliant splashes of color and quirky, bug-eyed (no, really!) insect characters. In this second adventure of the spinoff Little Miss Spider series, Kirk's droll verses harmonize with the shiny, eye-catching paintings for a heartwarming tale, sure to be a favorite with Miss Spider's ever-increasing entourage of fans--especially those getting ready for their first day of school! (Ages 3 to 7) --Emilie Coulter

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K-Little Miss Spider is ready for school in this second book about her childhood. However, her first day at Sunny Patch School brings nothing but frustration as the little arachnid finds she is a failure at leaf chewing, flying, stinging, and other bug activities. Her climbing and spinning skills aren't tested until she rescues a fellow classmate from a spout, after which the principal praises her for her kindness, the best gift of all. In the attempt to leave readers with some sort of a lesson, the author provides a less-than-satisfying ending. Still, Kirk's rhyming story reads aloud well and is accompanied by his signature eye-catching oil paintings. Libraries with other "Miss Spider" books in their collections may wish to add this one.
Denise Reitsma, Howe Library, Hanover, NH
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press; 1St Edition edition (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439087279
• ISBN-13: 978-0439087278
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 9.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #833,787 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Kirk grew up in Ohio, USA, where he learned about insects and painting. He has been making toys and artwork for children for fifteen years and lives with his daughter, Violet, in New York.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Little Miss Spider...You've Got to Love Her, October 17, 2000

By 

Roz Levine - See all my reviews

This review is from: Little Miss Spider At Sunnypatch School (Hardcover)

Poor Little Miss Spider, she was so excited about going to school that she woke up extra early, ate quickly and ran to Sunny Patch School so that she could be the first one there. But once her lessons began, she felt like a failure. She wasn't very good at hiding in trees, or chirping like crickets. She couldn't master drilling leaves with her tongue and digging in dung made her sick. And when she tried to fly, she fell flat on her nose. What a miserable first day of school. That is, until she heard a poor little bug cry out that he was stuck in a spout. Little Miss Spider knew just what to do. David Kirk has written a lovely and very gentle rhyming tale, that let's all youngsters know that everyone is special and talented in their own way. His spectacular, vibrant illustrations, compliment the story and will delight your kids with their rich color and big-eyed insects. A terrific picture book that's not to be missed and a heartwarming story kids will want to hear again and again.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of fun for kids--and has a valuable lesson as well, May 27, 2002

By 

Catherine S. Vodrey (East Liverpool, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Little Miss Spider At Sunnypatch School (Hardcover)

The best word I can think of to describe David Kirk's illustrations is sunshiny. There is a buoyant, inherently happy quality to his work that goes so well with his simple Miss Spider series. Here, Miss Spider is excited to begin her first day at school, but gets more and more disappointed as the day goes on to discover that she isn't good at anything!

As one of her buddies gets stuck in a water spout, however, Miss Spider jumps right in without thinking and helps free the trapped bug. The school principal congratulates her warmly and reminds her that everyone--EVERYONE--has some sort of talent or skill that can be used to make the world a better place.

Lots of fun for little kids, and blessedly fun for parents as well--if only to marvel at the saturated colors and marvelous detail of Kirk's illustrations.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another winner from Kirk, September 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Little Miss Spider At Sunnypatch School (Hardcover)

Another great Miss Spider story from David Kirk. My 18 month old son can't get enough. He loves the bright pictures and rhyming story. Miss Spider might not be able to do what other bugs can, but discovers she is very special in her own way. Kirk's stories always have that heart-warming ending that we all love. As a mother, I also appreciate the extra thick pages that hold up to the toddler test!