Spiro

by Anna McGregor

SPIRO ABISBOOK Scribble UK.

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Childrens, Humor

Hardcover

About the author

Anna McGregor is a creator of modern, quirky, innovative stories with humour and heart.

Having begun her career as a graphic designer, Anna is now established as an award-winning Author/Illustrator. Her titles include Colouroos, Anemone is Not the Enemy, A Pair of Pears and an Orange and her newest title, Who’s Afraid of the Light?

Anna’s driving purpose is to delight and entertain children through timeless storytelling. She explores evergreen issues through a child’s lens and allows them to gently interpret the stories in their own way.

Anna is deeply curious by nature and finds her ideas by turning the mundane on its head, merging ideas or exploring wordplay — but always with a story that connects to the human experience.

Anna lives with her family in Naarm / Melbourne, Australia.

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never thought I’d say a spider would be this adorable but here I am

[Grace Walton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the moral of the story to never give up. The pictures were very kid friendly and I liked that Spiro had a happy ending.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spiro the spider is hungry and want some lunch. He dreams of catching scrumptious moths, juicy flies and crunchy stink-bugs and makes a web to catch some food. From his tree he links together various items but each effort fails as one part of the web's anchor points move - a bicycle, a cat and so forth. Children will see the error of his ways before disaster strikes after each page turn and are sure to become actively involved in providing suggestions for better web design. Clearly spaced and simple language will support young readers and a repetitive refrain build expectations that at some point Spiro will get the timing right!

A book about perseverance and determination delightfully illustrated in bold colours and with a pink fluorescent spider standing out in each scene.

CBCA 2025 Early Childhood Shortlist title.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really, really enjoyed this funny, clever picture book about Spiro trying, unsuccessfully, to catch his dinner. Who hasn't walked through a spider's web and at the same time as saying 'ick' silently apologised to the spider for wrecking all that hard work? This book is a hilarious take on the poor spider who has to keep rebuilding his web and the lucky fly or beetle or manages to escape said web. The illustrations and words highlighted in a different font add extra meaning and humour to the text.
This book will be enjoyed by all age groups, may serve to mitigate arachnophobia and will remain popular even with many rereadings.

[Morgan the Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cutest spider.

A story about never giving up and to keep trying.

"Perseverance weaves the web
that catches the lucky break."

When the story starts with that I knew I would enjoy this one.

Beautiful illustrations that allow our bright fluro pink spider to pop on the page.

[Meg Cooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story. Though I think Spiro should have been female since it’s mostly female spiders who weave webs.

[Lovanya Mittal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this one twice. Once for a group of year 1s then a foundation class. This was probably my favourite to read to the kids because I loved doing the voices.

[Farrells Bookshop · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story of perseverance. Spiro is hungry but his web keeps getting damaged.
Gorgeous illustrations.

Read by Mahli

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous, good story, a modern classic.

[deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the illustrations of Sprio holding books or utensils in his tiny spider hands are so sweet. This lil guy knows how to persevere.