Webster's Email

by Hannah Whaley

One click, and Webster's email is on its way... but where will it stop?

Webster's Email is a wonderfully witty rhyming story that gathers pace as the little spider begins to regret emailing a funny picture of his sister.

Count with Webster in this number book as his email reaches more and more people, while gently introducing young readers to the vocabulary and etiquette of email technology.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

30 pages, Paperback

First published August 29, 2014

About the author

Hannah Whaley is based in Scotland, and has always worked to combine education, technology and research. She graduated with a degree in Applied Computing in 2004 and was named UK Learning Technologist of the Year in 2007, before moving into University library management in 2009. Her books help introduce children to technology from an early age through reading and stories.

Reviews

[Grampy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Webster's Email" by Hannah Whaley is a cute story for children, with a very big lesson inside.

Webster snaps a phone-picture of his sister while she is making a face, and decides to email it to someone. But each recipient emailed it on to someone else, and pretty soon Webster wishes he'd never started the whole thing.

When the email makes its way to his mother's email account, Webster is sure he will be hearing about it, because he now realizes that what he did was wrong.

Everybody lives happily ever after in this tale, and Webster learns a valuable lesson. When you read "Webster's Email" to your children, they may learn that same lesson!

Simple, cute, one might even say 'adorable', if one were inclined to use such words. Recommended for tech-savvy children approaching the age where they might think it humorous to snap a picture of their father in the shower, then post it online. Why take that chance? Get "Webster's Email" for your kids, and head 'em off at the pass!

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Downloaded for free from Amazon.co.uk

This was a really, cute, rhyming kids story, and my 4-year-old really liked it ☺

[HadiBadi Books حادي بادي]

استخدمت الكاتبة الأسكتلندية هانا وايلي خلفيتها الدراسية في علوم الكمبيوتر ودمجتها بطريقة شيقة في شكل قصصي لتعريف الصغار بالأمان الرقمي وكيفية التعامل مع الأجهزة التكنولوجية والإنترنت وغيرها من وسائل الأمان الإلكتروني مع ازدياد تعرض الأطفال للوسائط الرقمية في عصرنا الحالي
للمراجعة الكاملة
https://wp.me/paMrp9-bG

[Dena · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little picture book for young children who are growing up in the digital age. The relatable little spider character is cute and innocent. The rhyming text flows easily. This is a gentle and non-preachy way to introduce the idea that what you put on the internet goes far further than you realize, so think carefully before sending.

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good moral and cute story!

My kids couldn't believe that one picture could reach so many so fast! What a good conversation starter for kids and understanding how fast social media moves!

[Regina L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: “Webster’s Email” by Hannah Whaley


Webster is a sweet spider who takes a picture of his baby sister, Ivy, looking perfectly silly. Meaning no harm, he emails the photo to their Dad to give him a laugh. Daddy Spider thinks the picture is too cute and so he forwards the email on to his friends. And so on and on the email goes. Webster fears that one little email has gotten sent out of control! How many people will see the picture of Ivy?! Will Mommy Spider be upset that Webster sent it in the first place?

This is an interestingly timely themed book for children – the power of technology! Definitely a good overall lesson to be taught – be aware that what you write and send on the internet is out of your control once you hit “send”! But author Hannah Whaley keeps the topic light and fun (thankfully, no harm was done by Webster’s email!) and it is a good introduction to the computer and how emailing and technology works for the little ones. The book is full of nice rhymes and colorful illustrations of spiders and bugs that are friendly – not scary – and the text is clean and oversized, making it easy to read for our early readers who are practicing. Webster’s Email is also a great counting book, as we count along with the spider to the twenty people his email reaches.

This book is aimed at children ages 3-8 and the message is ideal for teachers and librarian to share with their students, as well as parents. However, the etiquette of email and information technology usage is a topic that many teenagers and adults alike could stand to revisit. It would honestly benefit middle and high schoolers to pick up this book to receive a reminder that what information about themselves they put online or send through text or social media can easily be forwarded on with no way of controlling where it’s final destination will be; College recruiters and future employers will be able to find anything they put out there these days

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute educational story about the email process, short and to the point. A sweet little spider named Webster snaps a picture of his sister making a funny face, of course. He decides to send it to a friend but later learns that each recipient sent it to someone else. Now, Webster wishes he never sent it at all! He soon realizes he made a big mistake knowing it will reach his mother's account and he'll for sure be in deep trouble. Webster learns a very important lesson about the proper use of technology. I think this is a charming, easy to read story for children 3-8, learning about sharing on the internet safely. It's so appropriate for what's happening today on social media sites and extremely important to think through your choices when sharing before you push 'send.' I like the storyline and overall content.

[Regina L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Webster is a sweet spider with a growing collection of technology gizmos and gadgets that require battery power and electricity. When his mom sends him off to bed, all of his electronics ask to powered down too. But the way Webster gets to bed – with a book and a story – doesn’t work for the tv, phone, dvd player, game consoles and laptop all need to have the volume down, switched off and unplugged.

This book is a great reminder for children to think about conserving energy and letting their devices rest at night just as they do. It’s also a gentle reminder for us as parents to do the same, a nudge that couldn’t hurt!
Be sure to check out our review of author Hannah Whaley’s other Webster books! Read more at www.diapers-and-daydreams.com !

[Sabrina Sterling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute book that introduces netetiquette to young people

Children learn how to use technology at rates faster than adults. It is important that we guide young people when they use the Internet so that they avoid hurting others. This book is perfect for parents to read to their children but would be a great addition to the classroom studying a unit on online safety and privacy. It is short, to the point and the rhyme keeps the young listener interested. I plan on sharing the titles in the series with others. We could all use a little refresher on when it is appropriate to forward that email.

[Stephanie M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Webster the spider learns all about the downside of the digital age in this rhyming book for children. It teaches the basics of email etiquette and how thinking things through is important. Adult concepts made fun and kid-like.

Parents will also like this read. It's a good thing because your tot will ask for it over and over.

This is one of those books where you can't judge a book by its cover and/or pictures. The way the story is laid out and reads is well worth the time.

My recommended age: 2-5

//Stephanie M Nason - Author (Vampire Whisperer) and Book Reviewer (Accepting Requests)
www.authorsopinions.wordpress.com

[Medeia Sharif · Rating 5 out of 5]

Webster takes a funny picture of his sister and emails it to one person. Before he knows it, that one person forwarded it to another, and that person does the same, and so on until many more people have it. With dread, Webster is alarmed at how this picture spreads. The story does end on a positive note. This is a good cautionary tale about how people should be careful posting pictures online, because even email might not be as private as one thinks. You don't know who else will see the material.

[Toby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Introducing concepts of e-safety to young children can be difficult. How do you explain that a photo you send online could be spread across the world to strangers you've never met within minutes? Webster's Email does exactly that, using simple rhyming and counting and without getting dark or sinister.

A great introduction to "think before you click" for keystage one children. My only thought is that maybe it should be updated to replace email with social networking, because people don't often use email for sharing images anymore and it is s much bigger issue with social networks.

[Rachel Horon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good internet lesson for young kids

When I post pictures of my kids on my Facebook page, I have gotten into the habit to ask my kids if they mind if I post it. While it teaches them some online etiquette, it doesn't explain how fast and far photos and information can be sent. Webster's Email gives a good example of what happens when you don't think about what you post. My daughter loved the illustrations, especially the photo that is the center of all if the attention. This has been a good resource for our technology-savvy kids.

[Marcus · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple yet educational tale of an email Webster (a spider) sends containing a picture of his sister - the email is forwarded by various people - it ends up being circulated to (merely) 20 people but gives the idea that you lose all control once you've sent an email.

A simple rhyming tale with a good moral and counting up to 20 through the book.

My only negative comments would be on the book itself - I found the typeface a little difficult to read a times (it's a bit like a handwritten comic sans) and it's not too clear what age child the book is aimed at.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Count how many see the picture after emailing it to dad

This cute story teaches counting and lesson about email taking wings once it is sent. And reset. The only thing I was disappointed in was mom just thought it funny. Nothing about hurting his sister's feelings or the repercussions of sending a picture of someone out in cyberspace .

[Danni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book, and it's a good introduction to how once you send an email, you don't control it any more, but if anyone is to blame it is daddy as he was the one who forwarded it on (children should feel safe emailing their parents).

[Rebecca Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute!

Cute little lesson for children (and adults!) about how quickly things can spread (especially with technology). Sparked a conversation about how rumors work and thinking of others feelings before you do something. Very cute!

[Pelle Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Webster email

It was okay he said. He wasn't really interested into it. He wouldn't suggest his friends to read it he said.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book.

[Raymond Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story but I think sending an email of a spider to a frog would make him hungry.

[Kellie Jobe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute idea

I think this is a neat idea for a different type of counting book that is quite relevant in this digital age!

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice book

Very cute book for kids about e mail. Enjoyed it a lot. Read it twice with my son who loved it.

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Webster’s Em@il by Hannah Whaley – Cute rhyming book with a good example of how an email sent out can be passed on to others… how your digital footprint follows you. Great lesson.

[Sultan * Baby Mama Smut-a-teer* · Rating 3 out of 5]

aww cute story about not passing pics around on the interweb (see what i did there hehe) cause they were spiders.

[Ursula · Rating 5 out of 5]

 
I really like the Webster books--they have great moral lessons. :)
 

[Artep · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, ha. That was both cute and clever.

A shame that some of the rhymes in the end were a bit of a dud, especially since the story started so well.