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Aaaarrgghh, Spider!
All Spider wants is to be a family pet. But the family whose house he lives in are terrified of him. Whenever he tries to show them what a great pet he would make, they simply "AAAARRGGHH, Spider!"
28 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
December 1, 2023
Listen, 1) this is a very sweet book suggested by a teacher friend and 2) I’m trying to read 12 more books by the end of the year so EVERYTHING COUNTS
October 26, 2017
My daughter chose this as a book to read for the month of October. She liked the illustration on the cover and inside the book. I thought it was a cute and easy read. She giggled throughout the book. I would say she enjoyed it very much and I would recommend little ones to check this book out too.
January 11, 2014
This is my 8th Book Review: “Aaaarrgghh! Spider!”
By: Lydia Monks
“Aaaarrgghh! Spider!” is a fantastic book for children in reception and key stage 1, it is about a spider who wants to live with a family. He tries to befriend the family, by coming down from the roof or coming behind them when they are sitting on the couch, but he ends up just scaring them and they throw him out into the garden. He tries all different ways to get each family member to notice him and see what a clever 'pet' he would be, even though the family already have a pet dog, he believes he will fit in nicely as their family pet. Near the end of the story the family see how clever the spider is when they see all his beautiful webs and adopt him as a part of their family.
I have used this book in the year 1 class during my placement and found it was a great book with humour and it was very engaging and the repetitive quotes really draw the children in. It is wonderful for PSHE and Religion as it talks about how everyone is different but that isn't a bad thing. It can also be used as a topic for Art & Design for the children to create pictures. It is cross curricular book with a lot of humour and is a lovely book to keep in the classroom library.
By: Lydia Monks
“Aaaarrgghh! Spider!” is a fantastic book for children in reception and key stage 1, it is about a spider who wants to live with a family. He tries to befriend the family, by coming down from the roof or coming behind them when they are sitting on the couch, but he ends up just scaring them and they throw him out into the garden. He tries all different ways to get each family member to notice him and see what a clever 'pet' he would be, even though the family already have a pet dog, he believes he will fit in nicely as their family pet. Near the end of the story the family see how clever the spider is when they see all his beautiful webs and adopt him as a part of their family.
I have used this book in the year 1 class during my placement and found it was a great book with humour and it was very engaging and the repetitive quotes really draw the children in. It is wonderful for PSHE and Religion as it talks about how everyone is different but that isn't a bad thing. It can also be used as a topic for Art & Design for the children to create pictures. It is cross curricular book with a lot of humour and is a lovely book to keep in the classroom library.
March 22, 2018
Cute story with lots of fun, funny moments.
October 21, 2019
This is a very humorous and engaging book which would be perfect to use within ks1. The concept of the book shows children that it’s ok to be different and that people will accept you for your own talents, for example the spider was finally accepted when his family saw how good he was at making webs. This shows that this book would be great to use in a PSHE lesson.
October 1, 2021
I think this book has storytime potential, but this morning's kiddos got distracted by the plane that flew overhead, and I never quite got them back.
December 12, 2020
Really fun for the kids. Creative.
November 19, 2010
This is an older favorite that had disappeared off the library shelves. I was so glad to find a copy in the bargain bin this summer.
A big fat hairy spider decides she wants to be a family pet ... and does everything she can to make it happen.
When I read it in a storytime we practice the SILENT SPIDER SCREAM. My ears are too sensitive for real screaming :]. We just all make a face like we are horrified. Especially at the last page.
Later edit ... just so that I remember ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-ZQye...
Perfect Sesame Street video to go with this book (since we usually look at a non-fic spider book with it as well).
A big fat hairy spider decides she wants to be a family pet ... and does everything she can to make it happen.
When I read it in a storytime we practice the SILENT SPIDER SCREAM. My ears are too sensitive for real screaming :]. We just all make a face like we are horrified. Especially at the last page.
Later edit ... just so that I remember ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-ZQye...
Perfect Sesame Street video to go with this book (since we usually look at a non-fic spider book with it as well).
November 18, 2012
This easy read is based on the experiences spiders might face in a household. The spider in this book faces a lot of rejection. This spider wants to desperately wants to be an household. It's repetitive language is very useful for early readers, EYFS and EAL. The illustrations in this book is very clear and distinct, which can aid readers with little or no experience in understanding the book better. The illustrator uses a wide range of bright colours, this makes it easier to generate conversation about colours. The use of exclamation mark in this book is very beneficial when teaching children about punctuation.
July 21, 2016
If only spiders were this cute in real life...then maybe we could get along better! This is a fun book! The repetition of "Aaaarrgghh! Spider!" and "Out you go!" invites kids to join in on the reading. And the ending is hilarious (though it would be my worst nightmare in real life). The illustrations are very cute, especially the sassy little spider. And the spread with the glittery webs is beautiful.
December 31, 2022
Aaaarrgghh Spider! by Lydia Monks is a wonderful book. I discovered this book a few years ago at school and absolutely loved it (so did the children)!
The book centres around a little spider who is desperate to belong to a family. Her need for love and acceptance has a deep meaning about the natural desire for a sense of belonging which adults will understand.
I think many children (and adults) are afraid of spiders but this book shows the beauty of their quirks and will therefore help to alleviate the fear.
The illustrations are just wonderful and perfectly match the text. Children and their paretns will be ble to identify with the human characters and pets going about their daily routines. There is the inclusion of stunning glitter embellishments that kids will love; I love the beauty of spiderwebs and searching for them on frosty mornings.
Aaaarrgghh Spider! is one of my favourite children's books.
The book centres around a little spider who is desperate to belong to a family. Her need for love and acceptance has a deep meaning about the natural desire for a sense of belonging which adults will understand.
I think many children (and adults) are afraid of spiders but this book shows the beauty of their quirks and will therefore help to alleviate the fear.
The illustrations are just wonderful and perfectly match the text. Children and their paretns will be ble to identify with the human characters and pets going about their daily routines. There is the inclusion of stunning glitter embellishments that kids will love; I love the beauty of spiderwebs and searching for them on frosty mornings.
Aaaarrgghh Spider! is one of my favourite children's books.
September 7, 2019
A little spider would like nothing more than be a family pet. But no matter how many times she shows a family that she is clean (in the bath), captures her own food (above the dinner table), or dances on the carpet, all the family do is scream, "Aaaarrgghh, Spider!" and put her, flush her, sweep her - outside.
But finally she finds a way to show this family how wonderful she really is. This will surprise and delight young readers just as it does the family. Simple and gorgeous, this brightly illustrated picture book encourages discussion about tolerance, kindness or even misunderstanding. Not to mention how Miss Spider is feeling about herself and being determined to show the family who she is.
But finally she finds a way to show this family how wonderful she really is. This will surprise and delight young readers just as it does the family. Simple and gorgeous, this brightly illustrated picture book encourages discussion about tolerance, kindness or even misunderstanding. Not to mention how Miss Spider is feeling about herself and being determined to show the family who she is.
May 6, 2022
A nice mix of fun and facts. This lonely spider really wants to be the pet of the family she lives with, but their reaction to her is consistent. "Aaaarrgghh! Out you go!" Even when the spider shows them that she is a great dancer and a clean and resourceful pet, they aren't convinced. It is only when the family sees glittery spider webs outside one night that they adopt the spider as their pet and take her everywhere with them. But, they aren't ready for all of the spider's friends. Illustrations with fun perspectives and firmly attached glitter combine with just the right amount of repetition in the text to make this a fun read-aloud time and again. Not sure about the spider walking outside on a leash in the cold winter, though.
January 1, 2018
Spiders as pets. Shiny page. Humor.
Story: Spider is sad because she wants to be the pet for a particular family. She shows off how she is better than the current family pets, but ends up just scaring the family instead.
Language: Full page or block illustrations with accompanying huge size text. Colorful illustrations featuring a spider with a pink heart mouth. Very cartoon style.
Characters: Aside from miss spider, we have mom, dad, brother, sister, dog, cat and guinea pig.
Aside from a not so funny joke at the end, and the unrealistic possibility of a spider joining the family in activities, a cute book.
Story: Spider is sad because she wants to be the pet for a particular family. She shows off how she is better than the current family pets, but ends up just scaring the family instead.
Language: Full page or block illustrations with accompanying huge size text. Colorful illustrations featuring a spider with a pink heart mouth. Very cartoon style.
Characters: Aside from miss spider, we have mom, dad, brother, sister, dog, cat and guinea pig.
Aside from a not so funny joke at the end, and the unrealistic possibility of a spider joining the family in activities, a cute book.
September 4, 2019
Poor spider. Spider wants to be a family's pet and they don't want him. See what happens next.
* Talking points: Do you like spiders in your home? Why or why not? What other things do you not want in your home? Why?
** Essential Oil Pairing Tip: Sometimes you have to get out of your comfort zone and sometimes you have to put your foot down and say no. In either of those times try diffusing Cinnamon - the oil to put on when you need to feel brave. One of my favorite blend that includes cinnamon is doTERRA's Brave, which is especially formulated to support children to be more courageous.
* Talking points: Do you like spiders in your home? Why or why not? What other things do you not want in your home? Why?
** Essential Oil Pairing Tip: Sometimes you have to get out of your comfort zone and sometimes you have to put your foot down and say no. In either of those times try diffusing Cinnamon - the oil to put on when you need to feel brave. One of my favorite blend that includes cinnamon is doTERRA's Brave, which is especially formulated to support children to be more courageous.
August 17, 2021
A spider couldn't understand why the occupants of the house he lived were so afraid of him. Even though he wanted to live with them, to be their pet.
The spider was very independent, from building a nest to finding food, all he could do himself. He was cleaner than the other pets belonging to the occupants of the house. But again that family screamed every time they saw him, broke his nest, and threw him into the yard.
Mom often wonders how a children's author find a story idea, something simple can be transformed into a funny and unique story, just like this book. Sabio and Mom never thought about having a small & fragile house spider as a pet.
The spider was very independent, from building a nest to finding food, all he could do himself. He was cleaner than the other pets belonging to the occupants of the house. But again that family screamed every time they saw him, broke his nest, and threw him into the yard.
Mom often wonders how a children's author find a story idea, something simple can be transformed into a funny and unique story, just like this book. Sabio and Mom never thought about having a small & fragile house spider as a pet.
January 8, 2022
This is a very humorous and engaging book! In ‘Aaaarrgghh, Spider!’ we follow a lonely spider who just wants to be a pet to a new family. The spider tries to get noticed by showing off how clean he is in the bathtub and how he can catch lots of flies in the kitchen. No matter how hard he tries the family are too scared of spiders. The book has great repetition with the family stating “Aaaarrgghh, Spider! Out you go!” after each encounter with the spider which is funny and invites participation. The humorous story and repetitive language make it makes it a fantastic book for Reception and KS1 children. I would highly recommend this book for storytime.
The book draws you in right from the beginning as the first page is one of my favourites. I have had some interesting discussions with children about the page being upside down! The illustrator uses a wide range of bright colours and busy illustrations on each page that compliment the storytelling of this book.
At the end of the book, the family can see how clever and unique the spider is at making beautiful, sparkly webs. The book engages with the concepts of rejection, uniqueness and misunderstandings. It tells a story of a spider who is constantly being rejected and feared but perseveres to show the family who they are and ends up being celebrated due to his differences and unique talents. It promotes a compassionate outlook towards things we might not fully understand.
The book draws you in right from the beginning as the first page is one of my favourites. I have had some interesting discussions with children about the page being upside down! The illustrator uses a wide range of bright colours and busy illustrations on each page that compliment the storytelling of this book.
At the end of the book, the family can see how clever and unique the spider is at making beautiful, sparkly webs. The book engages with the concepts of rejection, uniqueness and misunderstandings. It tells a story of a spider who is constantly being rejected and feared but perseveres to show the family who they are and ends up being celebrated due to his differences and unique talents. It promotes a compassionate outlook towards things we might not fully understand.
February 14, 2020
This is the first book that my youngest (2 at the time) really loved. He brought it home from nursery and cried when we had to take it back. He borrowed it again the following week but I eventually bought our own copy! Sam loved the repetition and knew the parts of the story where he could scream out 'Aaaarrgh Spider'! The illustrations are fab and Sam loved touching the glittery spiders webs in the middle of the book. A great book to share with toddlers over and over again.
February 13, 2023
The spider would like to be a family's pet. Would he be a good one? The story begins with a great spin on perspective as we see the family upside down (from the spider's point of view) on the first page. Great way to rethink things and get to continue to reevaluate them. Pictures are cute--loved the family taking the spider on a walk.
September 14, 2023
A fun book about a spider who wants to be a pet, told from the pet's perspective. I love that it starts off with the people upside down, as viewed by a spider on the ceiling. The adults chuckled and the kids enjoyed saying "aaaarrgghh! Spider!" Nice that there wasn't any actual spider-squishing in this book.
September 27, 2017
This is a funny book about a spider that wants to be a family pet. It features some sparkly webs as well. It would work very well for a pre-k storytime about spiders, or maybe a toddler storytime about spiders.
November 24, 2021
This book is hilarious and very engaging. The pictures are very detailed and keeps you wanting to read. Some of the pages include sparkly webs which is also very fun to look at. This would be a good book to read to kids who are scared of spiders.
May 17, 2025
My kids LOVE this book! My only warning, is that you may have a two year old running around screaming “aaaagghhrr spider!!” And pretending all day long! The illustrations are cute and silly! Together, the words and illustrations tell a funny, silly story about a spider who wants to be a pet.
May 13, 2017
Baby chose it from the shelf, she loves it so much that I had to read it to her 5 times today. I'm afraid that we'll have to get a spider pet in the near future.
August 17, 2017
Unique, goofy, and funny, kids and adults alike will be laughing out loud at this story of a spider whose friendly overtures are always misunderstood! Promotes a compassionate attitude toward crawly critters we might run across in unexpected spots!
May 1, 2018
I am not a fan of spiders but I loved this book!
DRA Levels: 4
Lexile Measures: BR-220
Presentation, Voice
DRA Levels: 4
Lexile Measures: BR-220
Presentation, Voice
October 4, 2018
Spiders are people, too!
November 1, 2018
Oh this one is a real winner!
November 6, 2018
This would be great around Halloween time for a storytime. I like how the spider invites all its friends at the end.
December 26, 2018
Pet spider? B
Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews