Jump right into the fascinating world of spiders with this collection of spider books for kids. These titles include fascinating facts, colorful photographs and illustrations, memorable characters, and stories to help kids learn more about these captivating creatures. Here are some of my favorite spider books for kids.
Click on any of the titles below to learn more about each book. Or shop for these books on Amazon.
we are a participant in the amazon services llc associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites.
SPIDER BOOKS FOR KIDS
Spiders
by Gail Gibbons
From tiny baby spiderlings to large tarantulas, nonfiction master Gail Gibbons’ introduction to these intriguing arachnids reminds us that even when they look scary, most spiders are harmless—and even helpful!
There are over thirty thousand kinds of spiders in the world—small and large, colorful or gray—and they live, hunt, and adapt in different ways. A number of different species and spider behaviors are highlighted in this book, accompanied by clear, labeled illustrations and important vocabulary.
National Geographic Kids: Spiders
by Laura Marsh
You don’t have to look far to see a spider’s web—in the corner of the window, on a fence, or in a bush—spiders make their homes everywhere. And there are so many kinds of spiders! Some red, some blue, yellow, and more…all fascinating.
I’m Trying to Love Spiders
by Bethany Barton
I’m Trying to Love Spiders will help you see these amazing arachnids in a whole new light, from their awesomely excessive eight eyes, to the seventy-five pounds of bugs a spider can eat in a single year! And you’re sure to feel better knowing you have a better chance of being struck by lightning than being fatally bit by a spider. Comforting, right? No? Either way, there’s heaps more information in here to help you forget your fears . . . or at least laugh a lot!
Diary of a Spider
by Doreen Cronin
This is the diary . . . of a spider. Actually, he’s a lot like you. He goes to gym class and has Grandparents Day at school. But he also spins sticky webs, scales walls, and takes wind-catching lessons. Lucky for him, his best friend is a fly!
Charlotte’s Web
by E.B. White
Some Pig. Humble. Radiant. These are the words in Charlotte’s Web, high up in Zuckerman’s barn. Charlotte’s spiderweb tells of her feelings for a little pig named Wilbur, who simply wants a friend. They also express the love of a girl named Fern, who saved Wilbur’s life when he was born the runt of his litter.
You can find activities to pair with this book here.
Spi-ku: A Clutter of Short Verse on Eight Legs
by Leslie Bulion
Meet spiders that spit silk, roll like wheels, scuba dive, hide under trap doors, strum tunes, and so much more. Watch as they find mates, find prey…or find mates that become prey!
Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Spider
by Jessica Lanan
What if you were small as a bean,
Could walk on the walls and ceiling,
Sense vibrations through your elbows,
And jump five times your body length?
That is Jumper’s world.
Open this book to discover the vibrant, hidden life of a backyard jumping spider.
Aaaarrrrgghh! Spider!
by Lydia Monks
Don’t let this lonely spider frighten you! She just wants to be a family pet—and she thinks she would make a better pet than the typical dog or cat. But every time this clever spider tries to impress her chosen family, she scares them instead, until the day she unwittingly enchants them. Aaaarrgghh! Spider! spins a lively tale about one creature’s efforts to find her place.
You can find activities to pair with this book here.
The Very Busy Spider
by Eric Carle
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!
Spiders
by Nic Bishop
Nic Bishop’s signature up-close, stop-action photographs show spiders larger than life. Spiders are fascinating and suitably gruesome, especially when looked at in EXTREME close-up. Amazing images show the beauty and otherworldliness of spiders. Simple, engaging text conveys basic information about spiders as well as cool and quirky facts. One stop-action montage shows a spider leaping twenty times its body length!
The Spider
by Elise Gravel
Part of a series of hilarious non-fiction about disgusting creatures, this book looks at the spider. It covers such topics as the spider’s habitats (pretty much everywhere but outer space), the silk it spins (it can trap prey and makes a nifty bowtie), and its parenting practice (female spiders carry around their eggs in a silk purse). Although silly and off-the-wall, The Spider contains factual information that will both amuse and teach at the same time.
Anansi and the Magic Stick
by Eric A. Kimmel
When the other animals laugh at his messy house, Anansi the Spider is embarrassed. He wants to fix the problem . . . as long as he doesn’t have to work too hard.
Stomping off in a huff, Anansi stumbles into an amazing secret—Hyena has a magic stick that follows his orders. If he steals it, the spider thinks, he’ll have the neatest home in town and he’ll never have to work again.
But the magic might be more than Anansi bargained for…
You can find activities to pair with this book here.
Spider School
by Francesca Simon
Kate’s first day at school goes from bad to worse when she defiantly gets out of bed on the wrong side, her brand-new school clothes disappear, her teacher proves to be a gorilla, and the lunch lady serves spider-and-snake soup.
The Itsy Bitsy Spider
by Iza Trapani
This all-new adventure for the itsy bitsy spider has exciting encounters with a fan, a mouse, a rocking chair, a cat, and a big maple tree. Finally, the itsy bitsy spider finds a lovely spot to spin a new silky web.
The Spider and the Fly
by Mary Howitt
“‘Will you walk into my parlor,’
said the Spider to the Fly…”
is easily one of the most recognized and quoted first lines in all of English verse. But do you have any idea how the age-old tale of the Spider and the Fly ends? Join celebrated artist Tony DiTerlizzi as he — drawing inspiration from one of his loves, the classic Hollywood horror movies of the 1920s and 1930s — shines a cinematic spotlight on Mary Howitt’s warning, written to her own children about those who use sweet words to hide their not-so-sweet intentions.
There Was an Old Mummy Who Swallowed a Spider
by Jennifer Ward
As the old mummy makes his way across a graveyard and through a haunted castle, he swallows all kinds of creepy things. From a rat to witches’ brew, and a crow to a spooky ghost, this mummy keeps swallowing and swallowing…until finally there’s a knock on the door. Trick or treat!
Be Nice to Spiders
by Margaret Bloy Graham
When Billy left his pet spider, Helen, at the Zoo, the animals suddenly became happy and contented. The lions snoozed all day long, the elephants enjoyed their baths, and the zebras ate their hay in peace — all because Helen was spinning webs and catching flies.
But one day Helen’s webs were swept away. The Keeper had the cages cleaned for the Mayor’s inspection tour. Soon the flies were back again and the animals were miserable once more. But not for long…
Miss Spider’s Tea Party
by David Kirk
Wary insects do not dare stop by Miss Spider’s for tea, but when a wayward moth falls into one of Miss Spider’s cups, she graciously rescues it and soon finds herself surrounded by new friends.
Seaver the Weaver
by Paul Czajak
Seaver is an orb spider with a sky full of inspiration. His siblings prefer tradition and aren’t afraid to let him know. But Seaver doesn’t mind! He loves his new shapes and isn’t afraid to stand out. Told with quiet charm, this picture book tangles readers in a web of delight.
Pete the Cat and the Itsy Bitsy Spider
by James Dean
The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout. Down came the rain….
As the itsy bitsy spider struggles, Pete and his friends know just what to do to help out!
Sophie’s Masterpiece: A Spider’s Tale
by Eileen Spinelli
Sophie is an artist who wants to spin beautiful creations all day long and, someday, a masterpiece. As a spider, though, Sophie has a hard time finding a welcoming place in which she can be free to live and spin. She’s shooed and shuffled all over Beekman’s Boardinghouse until one day she finally finds the warm, comfortable, safe home for which she always yearned — and the inspiration for the masterpiece of her lifetime.
Walter’s Wonderful Web
by Tim Hopgood
A determined little spider named Walter is trying to make a sturdy web that will stand up to the blustery wind. The webs he makes at first are woven in special shapes–a triangle, a square, a circle–but they are still wibbly-wobbly. Can Walter make a web that is both wonderful and strong?
Spinderella
by Julia Donaldson
Spinderella the spider has a passion for football! She tries to play a match with her brothers and sisters but she doesn’t know how many spiders should be on each team. Even worse, she can’t count the goals! Luckily for Spinderella, her Hairy Godmother has a plan …
Luigi the Spider Who Wanted to Be a Kitten
by Michelle Knudsen
On a street of old houses, a big hairy spider is searching for a home with dark corners to hide in. But when he wakes up, he finds a hand reaching for him and a lady proclaiming that she has always wanted a kitten—and will name him Luigi! At first, a somewhat puzzled Luigi, used to being left alone to creep and dangle and spin webs, resists her kind advances. But soon, tasty breakfasts and getting tucked into bed (no one’s ever wished him good night before) have him thinking that kittens surely live magical lives. I will be a kitten! he decides. But how long can he keep up his façade, and what might be at stake in pretending to be someone you’re not?
Sylvie
by Jean Reidy
Sylvie hangs on a silvery thread, safely hidden under her damp, dark fire escape. Sure, it’s a little too close to the dumpster below, but if she stays carefully out of sight, she can watch over her people in the apartment building above—a painter, a proper lady, a man with a plan, and a girl with an exceptionally brave tortoise.
Day and night, night and day, Sylvie watches over them making sure everything is just so. Lately though, her people seem to be missing…something. Sylvie wants to help, but she’s always stayed out of view. After all, not everyone appreciates a spider who calls attention to herself. When a most audacious idea comes to her though, one that might make everything more than just so, maybe even just right, can Sylvie muster her moxie and risk stepping into the spotlight?
Frank the Seven-Legged Spider
by Michaele Razi
A fun-read aloud picture book about a spider who loves to weave amazing artistic webs, only to wake up one day to discover he’s missing a leg. Is he still a spider if he only has seven legs? His question is answered as his search for his missing leg takes readers on an adventure that is sure to bring a smile even to those wary of spiders.
The Weaver
by Qian Shi
Stanley is a spider, a weaver and a collector. On his web he collects seeds, twigs, leaves and all kinds of precious things he cannot name. Stanley is very proud of his collection, but what can one tiny spider do when it is washed away?
It’s a Good Thing There Are Spiders
by Lisa M. Herrington
Most wouldn’t believe you if you said spiders are good.Many people are seriously scared of spiders. But these creepy crawlies eat insects that harm crops and plants. They are also food for birds, frogs, and other animals. And scientists are trying to replicate spider silk, which may someday be used to bind wounds and to make bulletproof vests for the military.
A Spider’s Life
by Ellen Lawrence
A young child spots a jumping spider on her back porch. She keeps watch on the spider, recording its hunting, feeding, and mating activities in her diary. Readers will follow along as the narrator observes jumping spiders’ behavior up close, including the development from eggs to babies through molting and becoming an adult spider.
Abracadabra!
by Shanshan Li
In an effort to cheer his friend, Caterpillar, Spider waves a magic stick and, using filigrees of golden spider silk, makes a leaf into a guitar, a flower into a hat, and another leaf into a kite.
Bear Out There
by Jacob Grant
Bear’s favorite place is inside. He loves sharing his tidy home with his friend Spider. Spider loves the outdoors!
When Spider’s kite flies away, Bear must venture out and into the messy forest to help his friend.
As their quest in the forest goes from bad to worse, Bear and Spider show readers that being a friend means being there for each other, no matter what.
Spiders
by Seymour Simon
They’re creepy, they’re crawly, and they’re absolutely fascinating! Award-winning science writer Seymour Simon’s engaging narrative, combined with up–close, visually arresting photographs give the readers an insider’s look into the spiders’ world as they spin webs, capture prey, and mate. Find out how spiders are essential to the environment and why they don’t have to frighten you in this updated edition.
Spidermania: Friends on the Web
by Alexandra Siy and Dennis Kunkel
Debunking myths about spiders, this book takes an extremely close look at creatures that have both fascinated and terrified human beings. An introduction explains what makes spiders unique. Ten unusual species are highlighted with incredible electron micrograph photographs and surprising facts. From diving bell spiders that live in bubbles underwater, to spitting spiders that shoot venomous wads of spit at their prey, to black widows and wolf spiders, this unusual book will intrigue readers and help dispel arachnophobia.
Do you have a favorite spider book that didn’t make the list? Let me know so I can check it out!
You might also like:
Happy Reading!
Leave a Reply