Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

  • Apple
  • Android
  • Windows Phone
  • Android

To get the free app, enter your email address or mobile phone number.

Qty:1
  • List Price: $17.99
  • Save: $4.06 (23%)
FREE Shipping on orders with at least $25 of books.
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
The Spider and the Fly has been added to your Cart
Want it tomorrow, April 1? Order within and choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details

Ship to:
To see addresses, please
or
Please enter a valid US zip code.
or
FREE Shipping on orders over $25.
Condition: Used: Good
Comment: This item is gently used in good or better condition. If it is a textbook it may not have supplements. It may have some moderate wear and possibly include previous owner's name, some markings and/or is a former library book. We ship within 1 business day and offer no hassle returns. Big Hearted Books shares its profits with schools, churches and non-profit groups throughout New England. Thank you for your support!

Sorry, there was a problem.

There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem.

List unavailable.
Have one to sell? Sell on Amazon
Flip to back Flip to front
Listen Playing... Paused   You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition.
Learn more
See all 3 images

The Spider and the Fly Hardcover – October 1, 2002

4.7 out of 5 stars 126 customer reviews

See all 20 formats and editions Hide other formats and editions
Price
New from Used from
Kindle
"Please retry"
Hardcover
"Please retry"
$13.93
$6.99 $0.01
Audio CD
"Please retry"
$49.99

$13.93 FREE Shipping on orders with at least $25 of books. In Stock. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

Frequently Bought Together

  • The Spider and the Fly
  • +
  • Spiders
  • +
  • National Geographic Readers: Spiders
Total price: $24.84
Buy the selected items together

NO_CONTENT_IN_FEATURE

Product Details

  • Age Range: 6 - 9 years
  • Grade Level: 1 - 4
  • Hardcover: 40 pages
  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers; Repackage ed. edition (October 1, 2002)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0689852894
  • ISBN-13: 978-0689852893
  • Product Dimensions: 11 x 0.4 x 10 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (126 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #91,679 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

By E. R. Bird HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWER on June 25, 2004
Format: Hardcover
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.
Read more ›
1 Comment 22 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
Format: Hardcover
"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."
Comment 17 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
Format: Hardcover
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!
Comment 10 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
Format: Hardcover
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.
Comment 8 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
Format: Hardcover
Eye candy with substance! I give it three hundred and nine stars!
Luckily for me this book stood out and caught the corner of my eye in time for Christmas. I immediately bought a copy for myself just from the illustrations on the dust jacket. I wish I had stayed put and read through the book. Then I would have bought at least 3 more as gifts. While I am here on Amazon I am buying more copies for my artisty/illustrating/children's stories writing friends, I thought I owe it it Tony Diterlizzi to write a review.
I am not very good at writing reviews anymore, and the more I adore something the more tongue-tied (or finger twisted) I get, please bear with me. I'm not a role-player or comic book collector I just came across this artist by chance or maybe a twist of fate.
This book is so gorgeous. It is my introduction to the art of Tony Diterlizzi and I am so glad to have found it. As an aspiring illustrator myself who's lost motivation I have now found inspiration again.
The Spider and the Fly is a terrific story with a lesson that all children need to learn: not to go off with strangers no matter how charming and wonderful they seem. The story is wonderful however only a mere compliment to the dark, delicate, dreamy and deliciously detailed illustrations. (But not bed-wetting scary; the book comes across as dark but still cheery).
Any collector of Chaz Addams, Edward Gorey, The art of Tim Burton etc will instantly fall in love with these illustrations. And it's great to find a gothy book suitable for children. A more refined alternative to Angus Oblong (who I also adore)! Ms. Fly will remind you of that one gothy girl so luminous and so delicate you had to love from afar believing her to be too delicate to touch.
Read more ›
Comment 5 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse

Most Recent Customer Reviews

Set up an Amazon Giveaway

The Spider and the Fly
Amazon Giveaway allows you to run promotional giveaways in order to create buzz, reward your audience, and attract new followers and customers. Learn more
This item: The Spider and the Fly

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?



Pages with Related Products. See and discover other items: tony diterlizzi