Spider in a Glider

Usborne Phonics Readers

by Lesley Sims, David Semple (Illustrator)

Spider wishes she could fly, so she builds her very own glider. But when danger strikes, can Spider save the day? This entertaining story for beginner readers has simple rhyming text and stylish illustrations throughout. A delight to share with very young children, and with parents notes on phonics at the back of the book.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books

24 pages, Paperback

Published August 16, 2018

About the author

Lesley dreamed of being a writer, but studied law as her mother insisted she had "something to fall back on". Since joining Usborne Publishing, she has written and edited hundreds of books, from funny rhyming stories to an award-winning history book. Nowadays, she is often found recording books, too, in Usborne's very own recording studio.

Reviews

[Joy Keil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like these Usborne Phonics Readers. We have a set, and hope to add a few more titles, including this one, to our home collection!
Great for gifts!

We started reading this phonics collection with our daughter when she was a bit over 1, she is just over 3 and still enjoys them! Excited to use them to help her learn to read.

[Mom_reading_childrens_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary (if you care about spoilers for children's books, skip to the next section)
You're not necessarily reading this series for the story, but I still think it's pretty fun. A spider wants to fly so she weaves herself some wings, only to fall flat on her face...twice. A beetle who also can't fly offers her a ride in his glider. They go up and enjoy themselves, but a storm threatens to crash their glider. Thankfully, spider weaves a parachute for them and saves the day. They're not going to be going back up any time soon though.

Illustrations
I think this series has really cute, fun illustrations.

Fun factor
All the books are pretty fun story-wise, but what I really love is reading them out loud. The series is supposed to introduce young readers to various phonemes so the rhymes have a sort of slightly tongue-twistey rhythm about them. SO fun to read.

Is it supposed to teach children something?
I'd say they're meant to help with pronunciation and, later, learning to read.

Bottom line
I love this whole series, it is so worth owning.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the books in the Usborne Phonics Readers collection, this is an entertaining story of how a spider found a way to fly, with very exciting results.

The story is challenging enough for younger readers and has a plot that is engaging, which will keep them wanting to read all the way to the end. There is fun onomatopoeia and a pretty exciting plot. The illustrations are colorful and cartoonish and provide some clues as to what comes next, which is helpful for reading comprehension.

I listened as a lower elementary student read this book aloud to me and we both enjoyed the story.

[Justine Liddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a cute book for beginning readers. It has great phonics words.