Miss Spider's Tea Party (Hardcover)

by David Kirk (Author) "One lonely spider sipped her tea While gazing at the sky..." (more)
Key Phrases: Miss Spider

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
What's a sociable spider to do when no one will accept her invitations to tea? Seemingly unaware of her own predatory reputation, the eponymous arachnid is perplexed and saddened when a parade of potential guests scuttles, scampers and scurries away "in mortal dread." A timely rainstorm provides the perfect opportunity for Miss Spider to prove her good intentions, however, as she lovingly nurtures a rain-soaked moth with sweets and warm brew. Good news travels quickly, and before long her web is abuzz with a full-scale tea party. "Her friends were glad to watch her feast / Upon the floral centerpiece. / It was a great relief to see / She ate just flowers and drank just tea." First-time author Kirk's rhyming text, with its singsong rhythm and counting motif (two beetles are followed by three fireflies, then four bumblebees, etc.), is slack and predictable, but his illustrations are thoroughly original. The stylized paintings are flecked with a shimmery light that accentuates the bold, often garish, juxtaposition of colors and increases the whimsy of the appropriately bug-eyed cast. All ages.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 1-3-Ingenuous Miss Spider can't understand why insects flee in panic at her approach. Being a florivore herself, she only wants to invite them over for cakes and tea. The ironic air wafting through Kirk's rhymed tale will not be lost on young readers, and the insects in the big, brightly colored illustrations bear comically apprehensive expressions as they hastily depart. Miss Spider is depicted as a freckled, green-eyed beauty with a bulbous black-and-gold body; she and her would-be guests are seen in a slightly softened focus that sometimes sharpens to a glossy solidity reminiscent of William Joyce's figures. At last, Miss Spider is able to convince a rain-soaked moth of her good intentions, and, "Before too long our hostess knew/Each bug who crawled or hopped or flew/And all their lovely children too." A sweet tale-pair it with Mary Ann Hoberman's Bugs (Viking, 1976; o.p.).
John Peters, New York Public Library
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press (April 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590477242
• ISBN-13: 978-0590477246
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #301,329 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #10 in	Books > Children's Books > Popular Characters > Book Characters > Miss Spider
  #11 in	Books > Children's Books > Animals > Bugs & Spiders > Staff Picks

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The story is fun but the pictures are what make this book!!, April 14, 1999

By A Customer

Miss Spider's Tea Party is a simple story that introduces children to simple counting from 1 to 10. The illustrations are extremely colourful and visually stimulating for both children and parents (or grown ups like me who bought it for themselves). It's a great story that no bookself should be without - a classic kids book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vividly Gourgeous Illustrations-A Joy to Read!, October 13, 2002

By	"lynkfri13" (Waltham, MA United States) - See all my reviews

~ Miss Spider's Tea Party is one of those children's books that brings delight to the adult reader as well as the child.
~ The illustrations are beautiful and vividly intricate, but not too complex for children to enjoy, the story has a very gentle wit, that adults will appreciate.
~ Poor Miss Spider invites all kinds of insects to tea, but for some reason they seem reluctant to befriend her. : - )

~ Happily, her naturally sweet charm wins her popularity in the insect kingdom over, as well as a true fan in the reader. Children really seem to love this simple tale, mostly for the beauty of the illustrations, and the sense of a happy conclusion approaching.

I highly recommend this as a book you can enjoy reading with your child. And I would definitely also recommend the sequel "Miss Spider's Wedding"!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent story, Excellent Book!, March 11, 2001

By A Customer

I had first gotten this book when I went to my sons book fair at school. My 1 yr old daughter immediately fell in love with it and I have been reading it to her ever since. She loves the beautiful graphics in the story, and the wonderful rhyming keeps her tuned into the story. We have even made up little motions to go along with the story so she can participate actively in the story. I recommend this book to any parent, I believe this book has helped my daughter to start sounding out words already, and I feel confident that she will be an avid reader because of books like this. David Kirk does a wonderful job as a story teller, and I cannot wait to read all his childrens books to my own 3 children.