The Hugely-Wugely Spider

by Ethan T. Berlin, Karl Newsom Edwards (Illustrator)

We've all heard of the Itsy-Bitsy Spider right? But have you heard of the the Hugely-Wugely Spider? He's just like Itsy-Bitsy except he's a little--no--a lot bigger.

The Hugely-Wugely Spider went up the water spout, well not really, because he wasn't invited by the other spiders. And maybe because his size was bit of an issue . . . But that didn't stop him from trying. The Itsy-Bitsy Spider and his friends get into a bind when down comes the rain and threatens to wash them out, and only the Hugely-Wugely Spider can save them. With his quick thinking and huge thorax, Hugely-Wugely clogs the drain and saves the day.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Storytime, Nursery Rhymes, Animals, Fractured Fairy Tales

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 22, 2018

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hugely-Wugely Spider attempts to climb up the waterspout in this revisionist picture-book take on the classic children's song, The Itsy-Bitsy Spider, only to find that he is too plump to fit. Despite the fact that the littler spiders don't want him around, when rain threatens to wash them all away, Hugely-Wugely saves the day, sitting on top of the waterspout so that his smaller kin aren't all washed away...

Author Ethan T. Berlin, a comedy writer and performer who has (according to the dust-jacket blurb here) been nominated for an Emmy, makes his picture-book debut with The Hugely-Wugely Spider. Unfortunately, the end result isn't terribly amusing. The text is a bit clunky, and although I think it's going for funny, it felt rather "cutesy-woo" to me. I enjoyed illustrator Karl Newsom Edwards' work in his own I Got a New Friend , but somehow his artwork here didn't impress. Tastes vary, of course, but as revisionist takes on classic tales and songs go, this one leaves a bit to be desired. Not recommended.

[NayDoubleU · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute. Made me laugh. Would definitely find a way to turn this into an arts and crafts or arts lesson plan. Maybe even math

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hugely-Wugely Spider is funny and sweet and reminds us that the things that make us feel "too different" are often our biggest gifts. This will be my new go-to kids gift.

[Samuel Kleinrock · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter absolutely loves this book! I had to read it to her 5 times in a row right after we opened the package it was delivered in! Humor, wit, and a new take on an old classic.

[Ampersand Inc. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny take on the Itsy-Bitsy Spider song.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cross-posted from Kiss the Book reviewer's personal Goodreads account

The Hugely-Wugely Spider by Ethan T. Berlin illustrated by Karl Newsom Edwards, PICTURE BOOK Farrar Straus Giroux (Macmillan), 2018. $18.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

In this silly parody of the itsy-bitsy spider story, this Spider is huge! He is too big to physically crawl up the water spout, and feels excluded, so, when it does start to rain, he decides to save the day (and change the outcome of the song)

This was so funny - I'm afraid the humor might be lost on young readers, but I really enjoyed it. The humerous illustrations are fun. This is a great read aloud!

Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[Cecilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A big spider (dare I say huge?) is left out of the fun in the gutters that all the other spiders get to have. But then, as the famous song goes, it started to rain. He saves the day by squishing his giant rear end on top of the drain spout (did I mention this spider is reported to be rather large?) and saves all their lives. He is half-drowned because of it, and not really thanked at first, but then they give him leg warmers in thanks.

It's a cute story as long as you don't mind thinking about spiders too big to fit down a DRAIN PIPE.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a cute idea, but the Hugely-Wugley spider seemed too conceited and smart-aleckish to me rather than funny.

The main fault I found with this book was that after the Hugely-Wugely spider saved the other spiders he was so desperate to get the credit and angry when he thought they had forgotten to thank him. I was taught to do nice things without expecting anything in return, which I guess is a trait of caring I like my story book characters to have. Especially if it's a book I'm looking at reading during a storytime.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this silly parody of the itsy-bitsy spider story, this Spider is huge! He is too big to physically crawl up the water spout, and feels excluded, so, when it does start to rain, he decides to save the day (and change the outcome of the song)

This was so funny - I'm afraid the humor might be lost on young readers, but I really enjoyed it. The humerous illustrations are fun. This is a great read aloud!

Cross-posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!

[Gabe Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting take on the 'Itsy Bitsy Spider' that I feel falls short to live up to the legacy of the older book. There is some things that make this book worth it however including the art and the rhyming that is done throughout. Although this book is not my favorite I feel that it can be a good read to children as it can teach a lesson of being nice to everyone and that everyone no matter there ability has things they are good at and can help everyone else at.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a different take on the Itsy Bitsy Spider theme and a humorous re-telling. I loved the action and the problem for the hugely-wugely spider in the story and his dilemma with the downspout. Fun reworking or new words for the song at the end. I think this will bring a smile to kids who already know the song. A read aloud for small kids to second grade.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 2 out of 5]

6/22/2019 ~ This book rubbed me the wrong way; I feel as if the author is trying to help kids think about fatness, but is missing the mark. Also, I loved that Hugely-Wugely realized it could go up the outside of the spout, but no celebration was made for creative problem solving. I also didn't feel like the other spiders were ever confronted about their exclusionary behavior.

[Selma Ruiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a whimsical and heartwarming tale that spins a web of fun and friendship. With its lovable protagonist and playful rhymes, this book captivates young readers and teaches them the importance of embracing differences. Its colorful illustrations and engaging storytelling would make it a delightful read for any child.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clever twist on the Itsy-Bitsy Spider. The hero of this story is too large to join the other spiders in the waterspout - he doesn't fit. However, when the rain comes, he finds a way to save the day and become friends with the other spiders.

[Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

A large spider helps out his smaller friends when the rain threatens to wash them from the water spout. I liked the silly take on the familiar Itsy-Bitsy Spider song and the message of friendship.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious! I will be reading this to school age children. They will enjoy the humor, the bright illustrations, and my singing as soon as I figure out to what tune to sing the song. Too funny to miss.

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried to like this and I can see how it could get some laughs in story time, but it felt like it was basically centered on a fat joke and the text could have flowed better (pun intended). meh. Ages 3-6.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay I really enjoyed this book, but it contained a lot more reading than I am used to in a picture book. I think I enjoyed this more than a child would, just because there is so much to take in with the story.

[Alex Gonzalez · Rating 3 out of 5]

the other spiders that relate to the spider going up the water spout. It eventually finds its own way up the water spout and is accepted by the other spiders. I like its relation to the original spider book/ nursery rhyme.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ha. A huge spider can't fit in the water spout with all the little spiders. Instead, he attempts to save them all from the rain. Kind of funny. The huge spider was a little hideous. Maybe it's because I don't like spiders...

[Kyle Sunich · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book a spider was feeling left out as all the other spiders went up the water spout and he wasn't invited. The spider was far too big to go up the spout, but he began to realize he didn't need to go up the water spout. The illustrations are fun and engaging. Good read for young students.

[The Dub · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mean, I wrote it, so I’m a bit biased. I think it’s great. I’m not biased about the drawings though. Cause I didn’t draw them. Karl did. They’re really funny.

[MaryLibrarianOH · Rating 3 out of 5]

A spider too big to fit up the waterspout still has an important job when the rain starts to fall.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too big to fit up the water spout.

[CharityJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turns this classic children's song on it's head and you may never think of it the same way again! Laugh out loud funny and with humor that adults will appreciate too! Great read aloud for K and up.

[Maggie Ignasiak · Rating 4 out of 5]

This makes for a great read-aloud for older-scewing preschool groups! It's hilarious and body positive.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and silly expansion of the itsy-bitsy spider.

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute take on "The Itsy Bitsy Spider."

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s ridiculous and adorable as a fractured version of the Itsy Bitsy Spider.

4.5 stars

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

We thought this book was amazing. We loved the song at the end of the story. So cute.