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Sophie's Masterpiece: A Spider's Tale
Sophie is an artist. She is also a house spider, but one that children will certainly cheer and not fear. The webs she weaves are spectacular--some are stars, or hammocks, or sun patterns--and her mama is very proud of her. When she grows old enough to strike out on her own, however, she is not warmly greeted by the world at large. At Beekman's Boardinghouse, a dull sort of place that "cried out for her talents," she only wants to beautify it with her gossamer artistry. But even as she is spinning a web of curtains for the front parlor, "blending a golden thread of sun into her silk," she is swatted by a screaming landlady! She scampers into the tugboat captain's closet where she sets to work on making him a new suit, day after day, a sleeve here, a collar there. Once discovered there (the captain screeches and climbs out onto the windowsill), she moves on yet again. Now a much older spider, she climbs up a long staircase to settle into a young woman's knitting basket. One day, the woman discovers Sophie... and smiles! Sophie, noticing that her new friend is pregnant and in need of a baby blanket, decides that she will spin one for her baby, a cloth into which she weaves starlight, snippets of fragrant pine, wisps of night, old lullabies, playful snowflakes, and, in the end, her very own heart. Illustrator Jane Dyer, who worked with Eileen Spinelli on When Mama Comes Home Tonight, has outdone herself in Sophie's Masterpiece, painting this bittersweet story in gentle watercolors. She manages to convincingly anthropomorphize Sophie, and paintings like the one of the courageous spider struggling up the long staircase, casting long shadows, will linger long with readers. (Ages 4 and older) --Karin Snelson
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2001
14 people are currently reading
492 people want to read
About the author
Eileen Spinelli
140 books101 followersEileen Spinelli is an award-winning children's book author from southeastern Pennsylvania. She has written over 100 picture books and novels for children. Her husband is Jerry Spinelli, who also writes books for children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
April 14, 2021
This one is such a classic.
I love how the illustrations are so dreamy and perfect.
I love the story. It's endearing. The ending got my heart miss a beat.
Love it.
I love how the illustrations are so dreamy and perfect.
I love the story. It's endearing. The ending got my heart miss a beat.
Love it.
November 22, 2018
The cover of this book is a little off-putting. However, I am a spider lover, and I determined to look beyond the cover to the contents inside. In fact, this book teaches us to look beyond outward appearance. The illustrations are most interesting, my favorites being Sophie's colorful socks hanging on the washing line and the exquisite shawl spun from spider silk.
March 13, 2020
Sophie was a spider with a gift. Her webs were wondrous works of art: beautiful gossamer creations, woven in intricate patterns. But despite her undeniable talent, and a warm heart that prompted her to help others, the residents at Beekman's Boardinghouse simply didn't appreciate her, or her work. The landlady screamed when she saw Sophie weaving curtains for the front room, the tugboat captain climbed out onto the roof to get away from her, and the cook called her an "ugly, disgusting spider." Was there any place for a gentle arachnid who simply wanted to share the beauty of her creations with others...?
A lovely little book, Sophie's Masterpiece is the story of a generous soul who finally finds someone who will accept her, and appreciate her gift. The concluding episode of Spinelli's narrative is very moving, without ever descending into sentimentality. Jane Dyer's watercolor illustrations are a delightful accompaniment to the text. Thanks for recommending this one, Kathryn!
A lovely little book, Sophie's Masterpiece is the story of a generous soul who finally finds someone who will accept her, and appreciate her gift. The concluding episode of Spinelli's narrative is very moving, without ever descending into sentimentality. Jane Dyer's watercolor illustrations are a delightful accompaniment to the text. Thanks for recommending this one, Kathryn!
September 20, 2019
This was beautiful! All the sweet message of Charlotte's Web in just a fraction of the words.
September 10, 2009
I am in love with this book! So beautiful, so sweet, gently humorous, totally loving--yes, I am talking about the spider, Sophie. Sophie is a very special spider with webs of rare artistry. She wants to make life beautiful for humans but they don't seem to appreciate her or her creations--until one day when she finds someone worthy of her masterpiece.
The ending brought tears to my eyes and I kept thinking about this sweet story on the way to work! Also, it made me feel some compunction for making spiders unwelcome in my home... but, then, they aren't nearly as cute as Sophie! ;->
The ending brought tears to my eyes and I kept thinking about this sweet story on the way to work! Also, it made me feel some compunction for making spiders unwelcome in my home... but, then, they aren't nearly as cute as Sophie! ;->
March 28, 2021
This is a beautiful, beautiful book. Sophie's Masterpiece is lovingly constructed with the same delicacy and care as the spider's web itself, reaching out to far corners and unexpected places with such a soft touch as to be more sensed than actually felt. E.B. White's magnificent book Charlotte's Web took a common, often-feared creature in the regular house spider and let us see it as something lovely, something to be marveled at and appreciated for its unique abilities and potential for good. Sophie's Masterpiece does the same thing, in my view as well or better than any book since that E.B. White classic.
Sophie is a young prodigy spider who sets off on her own to find her way in life. What confronts her at her new boardinghouse home, however, is not appreciation for her unique web-spun offerings for the people that inhabit the house, but knee-jerk shock and fear at her presence. All they seem able to see when they look at Sophie is her eight-legged insect facade. None of them take the time for a deeper look at a very special creature whose abilities and love for those around her is the most important part of who she is.
Until, that is, one woman does take the time. With Sophie nearing the end of her short life a woman who is about to have a baby finds Sophie in her knitting basket but does not react to her presence with fear or anger. Sophie, in the last moments of a brilliant and tender life, renders her thanks to the woman by creating for her baby one final masterpiece of her web-spun art, the magnum opus of all her great work.
This is a story more full of inspiration than any that I have read for a while, especially among picture books. In the misunderstood nature of Sophie it is easy to see the ways that we ourselves are so often dismissed as being too old, too young, too big, small, slow or ugly by those who won't look deeper. The hopeful message of Sophie's Masterpiece, though, is that there will always be someone out there willing to see through the outside to the parts that really make up the human heart.
Sophie is a young prodigy spider who sets off on her own to find her way in life. What confronts her at her new boardinghouse home, however, is not appreciation for her unique web-spun offerings for the people that inhabit the house, but knee-jerk shock and fear at her presence. All they seem able to see when they look at Sophie is her eight-legged insect facade. None of them take the time for a deeper look at a very special creature whose abilities and love for those around her is the most important part of who she is.
Until, that is, one woman does take the time. With Sophie nearing the end of her short life a woman who is about to have a baby finds Sophie in her knitting basket but does not react to her presence with fear or anger. Sophie, in the last moments of a brilliant and tender life, renders her thanks to the woman by creating for her baby one final masterpiece of her web-spun art, the magnum opus of all her great work.
This is a story more full of inspiration than any that I have read for a while, especially among picture books. In the misunderstood nature of Sophie it is easy to see the ways that we ourselves are so often dismissed as being too old, too young, too big, small, slow or ugly by those who won't look deeper. The hopeful message of Sophie's Masterpiece, though, is that there will always be someone out there willing to see through the outside to the parts that really make up the human heart.
October 16, 2017
I taught this to my ESL students. The photos are exquisite and the story's so moving & cute. It's about a lifespan of a spider who wants to create artistic masterpieces rather than just webs for catching prey. So it has some great themes for discussion that can be modified to be age appropriate for folks between 3-12.
December 28, 2019
A very sad picture book about a spider who spends her whole life drifting around a boarding house though no one wants her there. In her old age, the spider laboriously weaves a blanket for a woman who is too poor to buy her baby a blanket. This selfless act finally earns the spider the appreciation she has sought her whole life. The story might be less depressing if the spider wasn't near death before she finally experiences some acceptance. The spider's advanced age might be a nod to the fact that orb weaver spiders only live about a year, but the spider's appearance, activities, and emotions are so strangely human that the compressed life span feels out of place.
November 15, 2016
Beautifully told by both Spinelli and Dyer, Sophie the spider spends her time weaving a special gift for the youngest resident of the boarding house she inhabits. The human residents see her as a pest and disgusting and yet her dying gift to a mother and her baby is of a great beauty. A lovely, gentle story about generosity and selflessness of spirit.
May 23, 2019
Sophie's Masterpiece is a whimsical story that deals with misunderstanding and results in love. A young Sophie bounces from location to location as each human pushes her away. She was told as a young spider she'd be one of the best spinners in the world so for each human she tried to fix an item in their home with a web, but they did not want her around. After multiple locations, she lands in a basket of yarn with a young pregnant woman. The woman sees Sophie and leaves her to live comfortably in her home. Sophie sees the young woman knitting day in and day out for the baby and wants to help. Noticing the blanket she has is not fit for a baby, Sophie in her old age pushes through with no food or sleep to create a blanket for the child. The woman sees the blanket and wraps her baby in Sophie's Masterpiece.
The story shows the beauty of coexisting and the power of nature. It should also be noted that the spider and young woman are Asian characters also making this text a multicultural text.
*Read online at Storytime Online***
The story shows the beauty of coexisting and the power of nature. It should also be noted that the spider and young woman are Asian characters also making this text a multicultural text.
*Read online at Storytime Online***
September 14, 2019
This is sadder than 'Charlotte's Web'.
I like spiders, and a picture book about a creative female spider sounded really attractive to me. What I did not expect was a punch to the feels by the end of this gorgeously-woven tale.
The language, the writing style, the illustrations, the colour, it is all lovely. The silk, the moonlight, the starlight, the spinning, the webbing, the knitting, the pines, the snowflakes, the warmth, and wow, the heart. It really is a new fairy tale.
The ending might just break you, however. But in a beautiful way.
The creative life of a spider is as full of hardships and dangers as a human artist's, and can be just as unrewarding. But Sophie is strong, and thoughtful. She has drive, she has love, and she never gives up. Such a determined little spider...
Indeed, 'Sophie's Masterpiece: A Spider's Tale' is a masterpiece.
Final Score: 5/5
I like spiders, and a picture book about a creative female spider sounded really attractive to me. What I did not expect was a punch to the feels by the end of this gorgeously-woven tale.
The language, the writing style, the illustrations, the colour, it is all lovely. The silk, the moonlight, the starlight, the spinning, the webbing, the knitting, the pines, the snowflakes, the warmth, and wow, the heart. It really is a new fairy tale.
The ending might just break you, however. But in a beautiful way.
The creative life of a spider is as full of hardships and dangers as a human artist's, and can be just as unrewarding. But Sophie is strong, and thoughtful. She has drive, she has love, and she never gives up. Such a determined little spider...
Indeed, 'Sophie's Masterpiece: A Spider's Tale' is a masterpiece.
Final Score: 5/5
November 9, 2009
Sophie Spider spins artistic works of arts, yet the humans who inhabitat the boardingshouse where she lives do not appreciate her talent. They screech when they see her and destroy her works. As Sophie grows old, she nestles herself into a basket full of yarn. This yarn belongs to a young, poor mother who knits booties and sweaters for her baby-to-be. As money is tight, the mother has no more yarn to make a blanket. Sophie creates one last, loving, beautiful masterpiece. A blanket full of wishes and dreams, moonbeams and starlight is Sophie's Masterpiece.
A beautifully illustrated gentle story of acceptance and compassion.
A beautifully illustrated gentle story of acceptance and compassion.
October 23, 2019
rating: 3.5
The art is beautifully rendered, and I like the attempt to improve the image of spiders, but the story itself is 'too human.' There should be at least a little info about weaving a web or the nature of a spider's thread. Even a casual comment that different kinds of spiders weave different kinds of webs would have helped anchor the tale.
The art is beautifully rendered, and I like the attempt to improve the image of spiders, but the story itself is 'too human.' There should be at least a little info about weaving a web or the nature of a spider's thread. Even a casual comment that different kinds of spiders weave different kinds of webs would have helped anchor the tale.
September 12, 2017
This book was different than I expected and I would highly recommend to a classroom teacher. Sophie was always determined no matter how many times she got swatted at and did nice things for people!
October 2, 2020
One of those, 'I should have read it years ago titles.' This was a really sweet story of a spider who waits to create her masterpiece.
September 30, 2025
•The key theme of this book would be expressing feelings, appreciation, and giving gratitude. It also teaches us about how we respond to insects in our environment. The themes would be subject to appreciating what you have, the possible dangers of doing too much or too little and finding happiness with what you have already is sufficient.
•Audience: 3-7 years old
•I chose this book because it was heartwarming and a wonderful story to unfold about the way we handle insects around the world.
•In my future classroom I would like to introduce proper ways to handle insects in our environment. Incorporate children into making their own masterpieces from miscellaneous items they already have, and ways to show appreciation to those who do so much in our lives.
•Audience: 3-7 years old
•I chose this book because it was heartwarming and a wonderful story to unfold about the way we handle insects around the world.
•In my future classroom I would like to introduce proper ways to handle insects in our environment. Incorporate children into making their own masterpieces from miscellaneous items they already have, and ways to show appreciation to those who do so much in our lives.
December 4, 2024
Beautiful story
November 18, 2019
Sophie's Masterpiece, written by Eileen Spinelli and illustrated by Jane Dyer, is a beautiful children’s book about a spider who just wants to help out. She is a very talented weaver, and she wants to help out the people in the house she lives in. However, all of the people in the house are afraid of spiders and push her away. Finally, Sophie realizes she is not wanted and moves into the knitting blanket of the woman upstairs. She stays here until she is old and frail, and that is when the woman finds her. Unlike everyone else, this woman leaves her alone. She is about to have a baby, and Sophie decides she wants to help. She weaves the baby a blanket, but since she is so old this takes all of her energy and is the last work she creates.
I love this book because it is so heartfelt and adorable. This would be a good book to read to your young kids, and I would even use it in my classroom. I would suggest using this with kids anywhere from kindergarten to third grade. It teaches kids the importance of being accepted, as you never know what a person has to offer. Even if they are different from you, you should still be nice to them and be accepting of them. The illustrations in this book are amazing, too. They are beautiful watercolor and they have so much detail. This would be a good read-aloud for kids, as some of the vocabulary is advanced and may be hard for them to read on their own.
I love this book because it is so heartfelt and adorable. This would be a good book to read to your young kids, and I would even use it in my classroom. I would suggest using this with kids anywhere from kindergarten to third grade. It teaches kids the importance of being accepted, as you never know what a person has to offer. Even if they are different from you, you should still be nice to them and be accepting of them. The illustrations in this book are amazing, too. They are beautiful watercolor and they have so much detail. This would be a good read-aloud for kids, as some of the vocabulary is advanced and may be hard for them to read on their own.
September 18, 2018
Eileen Spinelli's tale of Sophie's Masterpiece is a heartwarming story about a peculiar spider who loves to spin webs. Through Sophie's life, she encounters many different people that take her talent for granted just because she's a spider. Spinelli creates an amiable tone through her use of imagery and softly spoken words. The illustrations give a peak into Sophie's life by placing a border around them as if they are a window. The best part of the book is how the story encompasses the entire life span of Sophie, so we grow with her as the story takes place. Eileen inserts her own personal life story into Sophie's because long ago Eileen wishes that she could have provided for those who couldn't. Sophie takes on this role within the story, with an ending that Eileen always would have wanted.
Sophie is Eileen's favorite character because she has a good heart and want to make her world a sweeter place. The character development of Sophie is special because it's ironic that she's a spider, but the mood that the reader feels is calming.
The only thing that I wish Eileen included in this book is more symbolism/repetition to the colors being used throughout the book. Each color is depicted once throughout the neutral boardinghouse, and I wish they were used more frequently to help solidify their meaning.
Eileen Spinelli's Website: http://www.eileenspinelli.com/index.html
Sophie is Eileen's favorite character because she has a good heart and want to make her world a sweeter place. The character development of Sophie is special because it's ironic that she's a spider, but the mood that the reader feels is calming.
The only thing that I wish Eileen included in this book is more symbolism/repetition to the colors being used throughout the book. Each color is depicted once throughout the neutral boardinghouse, and I wish they were used more frequently to help solidify their meaning.
Eileen Spinelli's Website: http://www.eileenspinelli.com/index.html
November 18, 2019
The story of a spider who wants to weave something helpful but who keeps getting run off by the people she tries to help. The story was really sweet and emotional. It deals with themes of discrimination and charity. The artwork is done in a way that would be helpful to young readers, depicting the spider as very human. This would make her seem much more relatable and less scary to children who may be afraid of spiders. The bittersweet ending wraps the story up really well and could be a great read for children who might get tired of the constant happy endings like I did as a kid. The book could be used in schools to introduce sewing or crocheting. This could be really helpful in home-ec classes, or as an introduction for a project that might use crotchet as a medium to display or make a model of something.
November 29, 2020
"Sophie's Masterpiece" is a book about a spider named Sophie. Sophie isn't any ordinary spider, she's an artist who can spin intricate and beautiful webs. Finally, Sophie is old enough to leave home and she decides to move to a boarding house. Sophie makes curtains, clothes, etc. for the residents, but they see them as sticky, gross cobwebs. She is shooed from room to room for so long that she begins to grow old and feeble, lacking energy to make any more creations. Until one day, a young woman finds her. The woman was an avid knitter, but too poor to buy wool for the blanket she was making for a baby. Sophie uses her last bit of strength to create a beautiful blanket. This book might make children who fear spiders a little less afraid and it's also just a very enjoyable read. I think it would be a great read aloud for 1-3rd graders.
December 6, 2017
Unlike other spiders, Sophie spins the most beautiful creations. She's sweet, passionate, and imaginative with her designs and her mom and friends are so proud of her. One day Sophie moved to the Beekman's Boardinghouse where her webs weren't quiet as appreciated. It isn't until years later that she found the comfort she had been looking for and creates her ultimate masterpiece.
Eileen Spinelli has written such a bitter-sweet, moving story. It was an absolute joy to read and Jane Dyer's illustrations captured the characters and message beautifully. I think this book could be very useful in the classroom. Whether it's by using the themes or emotion provoking words, it could be versatile with children.
Eileen Spinelli has written such a bitter-sweet, moving story. It was an absolute joy to read and Jane Dyer's illustrations captured the characters and message beautifully. I think this book could be very useful in the classroom. Whether it's by using the themes or emotion provoking words, it could be versatile with children.
August 16, 2018
I remembered reading this at some point in elementary school, so when I came across it as I was cataloging, I took a moment to sit back and reread this sweet story. And, oh, what a sweet story it was. From the dainty illustrations to Sophie's utter generosity, this story is one that I hope will transcend the ages. Partly, because this story shows just how non-violent most spiders are (and we should like spiders more than we do!), and partly because this story is one that will bring nostalgia and happiness to all those who read it.
Review cross-listed here!
Review cross-listed here!
September 13, 2019
3.5 stars -- This is a truly unique book that seeks to inspire readers to look at spiders a bit differently and also tell the story of one spider's life and her quest to weave beautiful works of art.
Spiders scare me--I'm with the guy who leaped out of a window after spotting Sophie in his closet! So I suppose I'm part of the audience for this book. Sophie has both human and spider characteristics to make her more relatable to readers.
Some may find the final pages touching, but the ending just a little too corny for me. Expect some good discussions about spiders, perception, and the cycle of life with this one.
Spiders scare me--I'm with the guy who leaped out of a window after spotting Sophie in his closet! So I suppose I'm part of the audience for this book. Sophie has both human and spider characteristics to make her more relatable to readers.
Some may find the final pages touching, but the ending just a little too corny for me. Expect some good discussions about spiders, perception, and the cycle of life with this one.
October 12, 2009
Non-Print Review from http://www.storylineonline.net/
This reading of "Sophie's Masterpiece" is read by CCH Pounder, a film and TV actress. Her voice brought to life this magical story of Sophie, a beautiful and talented spider. I played this for my students and they were completely enthralled with the story and Sophie. They wondered when she would create her masterpiece and were worried that someone would kill her before she could do so. Beautiful story and a gorgeous reading.
Recommended for ages 4-9.
This reading of "Sophie's Masterpiece" is read by CCH Pounder, a film and TV actress. Her voice brought to life this magical story of Sophie, a beautiful and talented spider. I played this for my students and they were completely enthralled with the story and Sophie. They wondered when she would create her masterpiece and were worried that someone would kill her before she could do so. Beautiful story and a gorgeous reading.
Recommended for ages 4-9.
February 16, 2017
This story is about Sophie the spider. Not just an ordinary spider though, she is an artist! The sad part is, the house that she lives in doesn't appreciate her. They don't like spiders and never give her the time of day or ever acknowledge her artwork. The woman on the third floor is the only exception. One day she is weaving something herself and runs out of yarn, and Sophie knows this is her opportunity to shine. She finally finds a spot she feels comfortable in and is able to make masterpieces and do what she loves! Definitely a great story about overcoming hardships to reach your goals!
August 24, 2021
This book... omg this book... first of all, I had a teachable moment with my daughter where she saw that it's really ok for a grown ass adult to dissolve into a pitiful puddle of uncontrollable emotion. I can't even tell someone else about this book without sobbing. But, really, it's a good thing. I promise. We are human and we need to feel, and a lot of us don't really get enough of that. So please... torture yourself by reading this book. Grab tissues and embarrass yourself. I promise you it's completely worth it.
July 4, 2011
Beautiful book with such a tender, loving story. The soft illustrations are perfect. While it is a bit sad, it ends so lovely and would be great for bedtime reading.
Thanks to the information given by another reviewer, had an opportunity listen to CCH Pounder read this story aloud. The book is beautiful, and Ms. Pounder's expressive reading is marvelous. I heartily recommend it. No registration required, the site is http://storylineonline.net/
Thanks to the information given by another reviewer, had an opportunity listen to CCH Pounder read this story aloud. The book is beautiful, and Ms. Pounder's expressive reading is marvelous. I heartily recommend it. No registration required, the site is http://storylineonline.net/
May 2, 2012
Bea and I found this book pretty disturbing actually! Seemed like a really nice idea but it didn't float our boat. A young woman having her baby, alone, in a dingy old boardinghouse and covering it up with the last web of a dying spider.... The illustrations were nicely done but the spider's legs come out of her abdomen (course - that is probably the least of the problems of accuracy that we should be concerned about.. :-))
January 15, 2017
Picture Book. I would read this book again just to look at the pictures. This is definitely designed for younger children I think, just because the language isn't extremely captivating. It's got good morals about putting your heart into something and also what to do when you're outcast. Not my fave, but still good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews