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Eric Carle
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The Very Busy Spider Board book – Touch and Feel, August 16, 1995

by Eric Carle (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 6,373 ratings
See all formats and editions
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From bestselling author and illustrator Eric Carle, the creator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, comes another classic tale about one very busy spider. A perfect gift to share with the child or grandchild in your life.

Early one morning a little spider spins her web on a fence post. One by one, the animals of the nearby farm try to distract her, yet the busy little spider keeps diligently at her work. When she is done, she is able to show everyone that not only is her creation quite beautiful, it is also quite useful!

This multi-sensory board book allows children to feel the pictures as well as see them, and is the perfect size for little hands. With its rhythmic text, The Very Busy Spider becomes an experience to touch, to see, and to hear.

"A beautifully executed work for the very young that satisfies the needs of both visually handicapped and sighted children without losing its artistic integrity."
—The Horn Book, starred review

"Both sighted and blind children will follow the action with ease . . . Visually and verbally, this is a winner."
—Booklist, starred review.
Previous slide of product details
  1. Reading age
    1 - 4 years, from customers
  2. Part of series
    Step into Reading level 2
  3. Print length
    32 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Lexile measure
    330L
  6. Dimensions
    7.19 x 0.61 x 5 inches
  7. Publisher
    World of Eric Carle
  8. Publication date
    August 16, 1995
  9. ISBN-10
    0399229191
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0399229190
  11. See all details
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From the Publisher

vbs 1
VBS 2
WEC
VHC VBS VQC VLF VCCB
The Very Hungry Caterpillar The Very Busy Spider The Very Quiet Cricket The Very Lonely Firefly The Very Clumsy Click Beetle
Customer Reviews
4.9 out of 5 stars
75,107
4.8 out of 5 stars
6,373
4.7 out of 5 stars
2,217
4.7 out of 5 stars
1,886
4.6 out of 5 stars
259
Price $6.99 $10.79 $11.08 $10.08 $17.99
Collect all of Eric Carle's buggy friends The all-time classic children’s book. Featuring interactive die-cut pages, this is a great gift for new babies, baby showers, birthdays, and other new beginnings! With its rhythmic text, this multi-sensory book becomes an experience to touch, to see, and to hear, while showing how persistence and hard work result in a beautiful and useful creation. Full of Eric Carle's gorgeous and lush collage art, a gentle rhythmic text for read aloud, and a wonder-inducing surprise at the end. Lushly illustrated with Eric Carle's vibrant collage art, soothingly told with a gentle read-aloud rhythm, and complete with a surprise sure to "light up" children's faces. A winning story of perseverance and pride in achievement complete with an ingenious surprise that gives voice to the valiant little beetle as it clicks its way through the colorful pages and somersaults into your heart.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Mice, a rottweiler, an arachnid and a few other assorted critters make sturdy reappearances in five board book versions of picture books. In Ellen Stoll Walsh's Mouse Paint, "three white mice on a white piece of paper" enjoy a colorful romp, while in Walsh's Mouse Count a similar gaggle narrowly escapes being served for dinner (Harcourt/Red Wagon, $6 each, 28p, ages 1-3 ISBN 0-15-200265-0; -200266-9 Sept.). Yet another mouse searches the animal kingdom for companionship?and finds an unexpected respondent?in Eric Carle's Do You Want to Be My Friend? (HarperFestival, $6.95, 32p, ages 2-6, ISBN 0-694-00709-9 Sept.). The rewards of industriousness are celebrated in a second Carle title, The Very Busy Spider; its embossed web brings a tactile dimension to his familiar collage artwork (Philomel, $9.95, 26p, ages 2-up ISBN 0-399-22919-1 Aug.). Finally, the canine in question is Alexandra Day's beloved Carl, who takes charge of a crew of toddlers in Carl Goes to Day Care (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, $5.95, ages 1-3 ISBN 0-374-31145-5 Sept.).
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Praise for The Very Busy Spider:

* "A beautifully executed work for the very young that satisfies the needs of both visually handicapped and sighted children without losing its artistic integrity."--The Horn Book, starred review

* "Both sighted and blind children will follow the action with ease . . . Visually and verbally, this is a winner."--Booklist, starred review

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ World of Eric Carle; Board Book edition (August 16, 1995)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Board book ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0399229191
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0399229190
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 1 - 4 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 330L
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.19 x 0.61 x 5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 6,373 ratings

About the author

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Eric Carle

Eric Carle

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Eric Carle is acclaimed and beloved as the creator of brilliantly illustrated and innovatively designed picture books for very young children. His best-known work, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has eaten its way into the hearts of literally millions of children all over the world and has been translated into more than 62 languages and sold over 41 million copies. Since the Caterpillar was published in 1969, Eric Carle has illustrated more than 70 books, many best sellers, most of which he also wrote.

Carle says: "With many of my books I attempt to bridge the gap between the home and school. To me home represents, or should represent; warmth, security, toys, holding hands, being held. School is a strange and new place for a child. Will it be a happy place? There are new people, a teacher, classmates - will they be friendly? I believe the passage from home to school is the second biggest trauma of childhood; the first is, of course, being born. Indeed, in both cases we leave a place of warmth and protection for one that is unknown. The unknown often brings fear with it. In my books I try to counteract this fear, to replace it with a positive message. I believe that children are naturally creative and eager to learn. I want to show them that learning is really both fascinating and fun."

Eric Carle has two grown-up children, a son and a daughter. He divides his time between the Florida Keys and the hills of North Carolina.

For more information about Eric Carle and his books please visit:

The Official Eric Carle web site: http://www.eric-carle.com

Eric Carle's Blog: http://www.ericcarleblog.blogspot.com

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art: http://www.carlemuseum.org

The World of Eric Carle Amazon UK page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/l/1658013031

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
6,373 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book perfect for children ages 1-4. They appreciate the page texture, saying the webs have a texture. They also describe the readability as fun, simple, and repetitive. Readers appreciate the meaningful content presented within well-controlled vocabulary. They say the storyline is cute and the illustrations are beautiful.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
IllustrationsReadabilityStorylineChildren's booksAnimal soundsPage textureBook flaps
58 customers mention "Illustrations"58 positive0 negative

Customers find the illustrations in the book beautiful, subtly embossed, and nice. They also say the spiderweb has a nice texture.

"...The Very Busy Spider is a cute book that my preschoolers loved! Add it to your collection!" Read more

"...The illustrations are textured, you can feel the fly and web on each page. That's pretty cool as an added little thing that a child may enjoy...." Read more

"A sturdy book - I read it to a 10-month-old. The animals are artistically drawn - introduces the sounds of various animals - a quick read before..." Read more

"Cute book! Nice images. The web design on each page is slightly raised so you can “feel” the web...." Read more

45 customers mention "Readability"40 positive5 negative

Customers find the book fun to read, with simple phrases that help children relax. They also say it's adorably written for beginning readers, interactive, and good for kids who enjoy animals.

"...The repetition of simple phrases helps the child relax because its soothing, and when they get older and learn the story you can say, "But the..." Read more

"...Super fun for kids and adults. I bought this for my niece and nephew since I enjoyed it so much as a kid and they love it too." Read more

"...drawn - introduces the sounds of various animals - a quick read before naptime or bed...." Read more

"Easy read, animal name/sound identification, and good message." Read more

45 customers mention "Storyline"41 positive4 negative

Customers find the storyline cute and about hard work paying off. They also say the book makes life easier.

"...2. Its a story about hard work paying off, and eventually getting a lovely rest at the end of a long day. #3...." Read more

"Love Eric Carle's books, nice story" Read more

"...book has Eric Carle’s signature, beautiful illustrations with a really cute story. Highly recommend for 1 - 3 years old children." Read more

"...Makes life easier. Story is cute but it’s no hungry caterpillar. Web spinning spider can’t talk to animals because it’s too busy spinning web...." Read more

24 customers mention "Children's books"21 positive3 negative

Customers like the children's books. They say it's a perfect book for children aged 1-4, a great gift, and interactive.

"Great for toddlers" Read more

"...She's a preschool teacher. This book is already proven. Very popular in a preschool setting. A valuable teaching tool." Read more

"...This is a classic that every child should have. Perfect gift for a little one and incredibly durable!" Read more

"Wonderful gift for young persons, they love the story." Read more

20 customers mention "Animal sounds"20 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable to read and educational, teaching young children animal sounds and behaviors. They also say the illustrations are colorful and a great addition to the library. Customers also mention that the book teaches a lesson on focusing and getting the job done.

"...3. It teaches young children animal sounds, as well as animal behaviors...." Read more

"...The animals are artistically drawn - introduces the sounds of various animals - a quick read before naptime or bed...." Read more

"Easy read, animal name/sound identification, and good message." Read more

"...Not a huge deal but teaches better communication skills...." Read more

14 customers mention "Page texture"11 positive3 negative

Customers like the page texture of the book. They say the webs have a texture, not just images.

"Love Eric Carl books. The book is textured so you can feel the webs on the pages. Super fun for kids and adults...." Read more

"My kids love this story! The "web" in the book has a fun texture to it also. Super cute!" Read more

"...I also like the web has some texture for her to run her fingers over...." Read more

"...I guess I didn't read closely enough to see that there's no texture to the spider's web, which is half the joy of this wonderful book...." Read more

6 customers mention "Book flaps"0 positive6 negative

Customers find the book flaps unnecessary, big, and not a lift the flap book.

"...This book didn't have that...also the flaps seemed unnecessary and actually seem to get in the way of the story more than enhance it." Read more

"...The flaps present no challenge and the fact that this is not a board book would give it a short shelf life if he bothered reading it more than once...." Read more

"...The flaps are awkward and frustrating for a 16 month old. The flaps are so large it's just like turning regular pages, so why have the flaps?" Read more

"Flaps are too big..." Read more

Great complement to the caterpillar.
5 Stars
Great complement to the caterpillar.
Very nice. Size is just right for little hands.I notice multiple reviews mentioning the "web" isn't pronounced (embossed?). It appears that such a feature is a part of the board-book version (which I selected).I can only assume the hardcover comes with standard print paper pages, which would not allow for the touchy-feely webbing feature.Now, off to find that chameleon!Update: now that I've read the book 2000 times in the first 8 hours of ownership, I notice that the board book version I have showcases the cat twice. Interesting indeed. I wonder what animal is missing.
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Top reviews from the United States

AMBER MORELAND
5.0 out of 5 stars LOVE Eric Carle
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2024
Verified Purchase
Could you really go wrong with an Eric Carle book? The Very Busy Spider is a cute book that my preschoolers loved! Add it to your collection!
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JD
5.0 out of 5 stars She Loves Spiders!
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2013
Verified Purchase
I bought this book on recommendation from a friend, and around that same time my 18 month old daughter learned "Itsy Bitsy Spider" which is now her favorite song/rhyme. She has us sing it to her (complete with hand motions) about 10 times a day. Now she loves this book and  The Itsy Bitsy Spider  they are two of her favorite books. She brings them to me saying "Pie-durr bouht!" (Spider book) "peashj wedit!" (please read it). We love reading them before naps and bedtime since both stories end with the spiders going to sleep.

This books is really well written and illustrated. I think a lot of children's "authors" and publishing houses are very lazy about content and illustrations, thinking a cartoon of a cow which says moo moo next to it is educational enough. This is a story about several things. #1. A spider who is so busy building her web that she has no time to talk to anyone. #2. Its a story about hard work paying off, and eventually getting a lovely rest at the end of a long day. #3. It teaches young children animal sounds, as well as animal behaviors. We learn that cats like to nap, goats like to climb, and that spiders build webs to catch flies in among other things.

The repetition of simple phrases helps the child relax because its soothing, and when they get older and learn the story you can say, "But the spider didn't answer because..." and then the child can answer, "she was so busy building her web." And also ask the child to tell you the different animals sounds and things like that.

The illustrations are textured, you can feel the fly and web on each page. That's pretty cool as an added little thing that a child may enjoy. My daughter doesn't really care all that much but other kids might tracing the lines of the web, and looking for the fly on each page like a Where's Waldo.
10 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Textured pages
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2024
Verified Purchase
Love Eric Carl books. The book is textured so you can feel the webs on the pages. Super fun for kids and adults. I bought this for my niece and nephew since I enjoyed it so much as a kid and they love it too.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Gift
Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2024
Verified Purchase
Beautifully made and they love it
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rebecca sparger
5.0 out of 5 stars Children's books
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2024
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Love Eric Carle's books, nice story
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Sturdy and manageable
Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2023
Verified Purchase
A sturdy book - I read it to a 10-month-old. The animals are artistically drawn - introduces the sounds of various animals - a quick read before naptime or bed....
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niki holland
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book!
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2024
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Easy read, animal name/sound identification, and good message.
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StarryB
4.0 out of 5 stars Cute book, classic Eric Carle pictures
Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2023
Verified Purchase
Cute book! Nice images. The web design on each page is slightly raised so you can “feel” the web. I had read other reviews & someone had mentioned that it’s a little rude that the spider just ignores everyone. I hadn’t thought about that but I see their point. Now I change the wording a little when I read it & instead of saying “the spider didn’t answer” I say “the spider said No, thank you”. Not a huge deal but teaches better communication skills. This book also desensitizes my kids to spiders/ bugs so they don’t freak out when they see a fly. (Because that was a real thing in our house for awhile.)
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Brits
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books for every home
Reviewed in Canada on April 22, 2023
Verified Purchase
Interactive, the spiderweb is a sensory ( we touch it all the time), talks about various other animals, working hard, and how important spiders are( helps alleviate fears)
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Carina Conceição
5.0 out of 5 stars Respeitar o outro
Reviewed in Brazil on May 15, 2022
Verified Purchase
Esse livro é muito bom, além da gráfica, ensina sobre respeitar o outro quando não se pode algo ou está ocupado. Saber ouvir o não e dizer também. Meu filho ama esse livro.
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Νina
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely loved it!
Reviewed in Germany on May 13, 2024
Verified Purchase
My 2 year old loved it,so did i!!!!
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Lu
5.0 out of 5 stars Precioso a todos los niveles
Reviewed in Spain on April 28, 2024
Verified Purchase
Precioso en cuanto a material y dibujo, con textura y brillo. Precioso el texto, que se puede teatralizar mucho. Precioso el formato pequeño. Nos ha encantado. Desde 2 años y hasta 6 sin problemas.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 9, 2024
Verified Purchase
Beautifully illustrated story that can make us all stop and think 🤔
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