Customer Reviews

The Spider and the Fly

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Some picture books instantly impress. They have that extra little spark or oomph that sets them apart from the rest. At first, the idea of a modern illustrator reworking a cautionary tale from 1829 sounds as if it's in danger of becoming dull, preachy, or didactic. Then you take a single glance at Tony DiTerlizzi's reworking of Mary Howitt's poem, "The Spider and the Fly", and you're blown away. Referencing the silent films of the 1920s and 30s, the book is meant to guide youngsters on the path of wisdom. Presumably by showing the stupidity of flies.

We all know the great opening lines of this tale. " `Will you walk into my parlor?' said the Spider to the Fly". Here we see our villain, the gorgeously outfitted spider, bowing deeply to a lovely lady fly that bears no little resemblance to Shelly Duvall. The spider himself is replete with walking cane, spats on each of his legs, slick dandified hair, a Rhett Butler moustache, and a long top hat. The fly's initial answer (a negative) shows her in her best flapper wear. She has the parasol, the delicately gloved arms, the handbag, bobbed antennae, and flapper hat. The spider is persistent, now donning a smoking jacket and fez as various buggy ghosts of his past victims attempt to warn the little fly away. Finally, after many attempts, the spider flatters the fly with tales of her beauty. She falls for it instantly and returns when the spider calls, "Your robes are green and purple - there's a crest upon your head; Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead". She comes, he pops her in his long hat, and the next thing we know she's tied up tight in a cocoon with the shadow of a spider (cook's hat on head, knife and fork in hand) laughingly approach her. The moral of the story is, as William Bennett once said, "Not everyone who talks sweetly offers sweets".

It's not every picture book that the villain not only wins but also gets his own especial afterword. NOT written by Mary Howitt, the spider has his say. He points out that all spiders are trappers, even the beloved Charlotte from E.B. White's classic book. As we read we see the now full spider, his spatted feet on the table, delicately wiping his mouth on his napkin. A little hat sits forlornly on the plate before him. Thus ends a truly delightful book. DiTerlizzi has taken the time to include a couple facts about the life of the author Howitt, which is great. As an illustrator, the black and white scheme used for these illustrations is marvelous. These pictures were rendered beautifully and each shot is cinematic. There is little doubt, certainly, that some children will be perturbed by the pretty little fly's untimely end. I might point out, however, that there are also some children out there that are perturbed by the death of Charlotte in the aforementioned, "Charlotte's Web". Most kids, I believe, will love this book. It's noteworthy to point out that the blurbs on the back of the book come from Henry Selick (director of the "Nightmare Before Christmas") and Lance Smith (of "The Stinky Cheese Man" fame). Both of these should give you a fair idea of the kind of book this is. It's dark without ever becoming gory. Intense without ever being graphic. And, most importantly of all, it's a joy to look at. Who knew 19th century poems could be so much fun?

"Will you walk into my parlor?" said the Spider to the Fly... So begins Mary Howitt's 1829, cautionary timeless classic. But this age-old masterpiece has been elevated to new heights by the stunning, black and white, "silent screen" artwork of Tony DiTerlizzi. Mr DiTerlizzi has created a clever and captivating feast for the eyes, and filled his illustrations with spooky humor and wit, intricate, eye-catching details, marvelous facial expressions, and pure magic. Young and old alike will be entranced as they linger and explore each page, finding something new and enticing each and every time they open the book. Perfect for "youngsters" of all ages, The Spider And The Fly begs to be read aloud and shared with friends and family now, and future generations in the years to come. "And now, dear little children, who may this story read,/To idle, silly, flattering words I pray you ne'er give heed:/Unto an evil counselor,/close heart and ear and eye,/And take a lesson from this tale,/of the Spider and the Fly."

Ok, for one and all the illustrations are luscious and timely. The story, the reading out loud is second to none! My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed it, and the spook factor had us waiting to read it to one and all! A definite must have for the family library!

The main reason why I like this story is the Illustrations by Tony Di'Terlizzi. They are what attracted me to this book. It is a classic story of The Spider and The Fly. The spider is able to lure the fly into his "parlor" by flattering her. She eats up his kind words and gets tricked into going with him. The common meaning to this story is to not eat up all the kind words people tell you, it may not be what they are really thinking.

Mr. Spider is such a stylish villain that I find myself falling for his wiles right along with Ms. Fly! Both creepy and funny, this gorgeous book will delight every age. Diterlizzi's rich black and white illustrations have clever details to reward the careful eye and Howitt's poem is a joy to read aloud. This is *the* book to buy this Halloween!

The cover of The Spider and the Fly caught my eye at a recent Scholastic Book Fair. Paging quickly through the book, I was captured by the illustrations by Tony DiTerlizzi and bought the book. It sat on my shelf for a long time. I felt uncomfortable reading the book with students because I worried it might scare. However, after a counselor shared good touches and bad touches, I bravely headed to the second grade classroom to share the book. The book was a wonderful up on the lesson of the counselor. The students quickly informed me they were studying insects and enjoyed the story even more. And the pictures! I had to leave the book in the classroom so they could study all of the intricate "bug" pictures. In our present society with all of the "spiders" who attract our "flies", I found this book to be exceptional in teaching the students the lesson about being careful about strangers.

After being asked to read 20 Caldecott Award Winning books for a college class, I was surprised to find that most of them were actually interesting. I was even more surprised to find a new favorite book in the Caldecott Honor Book, "The Spider and the Fly." This story, a dark, almost creepy tale, has a moral that adults and children alike should heed. Never talk to or go with strangers, and if something is too good to be true, then it probably is. Toni DiTerlizzi's artwork is magnificent and is reminiscent of the silent black and white films of long ago. I plan on giving this book to a few people for Christmas and will probably continue to give it as a gift for years to come. I encourage everyone to read this book if not for the words, at least the artwork, as it is spectacular.

Mary Howitt's 19th century poem "The Spider and the Fly" warns children of those who flatter them - they may have sinister intentions. The story, while dark, is on the surface a charming poem ("Will you walk into my parlor, said the spider to the fly ..."), but of course it has a grisly end ("He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den / Within his little parlour - but she ne'er came out again!"). Tony Di Terlizzi's art softens the story, with an almost "Tim Burton-esque" gothic feel to it.

Di Terlizzi's art really make the book - the black and white illustrations and "costumes" the characters are dressed in give the book a 1920's horror-movie feel, with plenty subtle hints showing the spider's true intentions as he lures in the gullible fly. It may be a little intense for the very young - I recommend it for those over the age of 5 - for those who are ready for it, a good book.

Even though this book is being marketed towards young children, it is probably older children and adults who will find this book the most interesting. What makes this book so unique and such a wonderful gift are the beautiful illustrations. A great cautionary tale with some of the most original artwork in the last five years.

I roared out load with laughter while reading The Spider and the Fly, Illustrations by Tony Diterlizzi. Mr. Ditlerizzi has rendered a fabulous new vision of the poem written by Mary Botham Howitt. Drawn in the visual style of films from the twenties and thirties, the black and white illustrations shimmer like images out of a silent film. The spider, dressed to the nines and looking like the late Raul Julia, resides in a Victorian Doll House. A lovely dragonfly, dressed flapper style, approaches his abode. The Spider, doffing his top hat with panache and revealing four additional eyes beneath his top hat, attempts to entice the dragonfly inside for an extended visit. The visual humor is delightful. In one illustration the spider sits resplendent in his Victorian chair, his legs propped up upon a stool made from a dead lady bug. The charming Spider and the Fly had me ensnared in it's web from the moment I opened the book.

Preston McClear...