In the tradition of fun cumulative stories like The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, this joyful story shows how helping someone in need can sometimes fulfill needs of our own.
When Spider meets Shrew, they are both down on their luck. Spider’s web has blown away, and Shrew’s home has just been paved over. What happens when they decide to help each other out? They meet Bat, who is lonely for friends. Then they meet Possum, who can’t find his mom; Dog, who misses her puppies; and Pony, who is out of a job. Everyone has problems, but this quirky new community is ready to lend a hand in creative and surprising ways.
This is a joyful story about an unlikely group of friends finding compassion and community in each other. Deborah Kerbel’s humorous, quippy dialogue is perfectly paired with Geneviève Côté’s endearing illustrations of the animal characters.
Key Text Features
illustrations
speech bubbles
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.7
With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear (e.g., what moment in a story an illustration depicts).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3
Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4
Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.
In the tradition of fun cumulative stories like The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, this joyful story shows how helping someone in need can sometimes fulfill needs of our own.
When Spider meets Shrew, they are both down on their luck. Spider’s web has blown away, and Shrew’s home has just been paved over. What happens when they decide to help each other out? They meet Bat, who is lonely for friends. Then they meet Possum, who can’t find his mom; Dog, who misses her puppies; and Pony, who is out of a job. Everyone has problems, but this quirky new community is ready to lend a hand in creative and surprising ways.
This is a joyful story about an unlikely group of friends finding compassion and community in each other. Deborah Kerbel’s humorous, quippy dialogue is perfectly paired with Geneviève Côté’s endearing illustrations of the animal characters.
Key Text Features
illustrations
speech bubbles
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.7
With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear (e.g., what moment in a story an illustration depicts).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3
Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4
Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.
| Published By | Groundwood Books Ltd — Sep 6, 2022 |
| Specifications | 32 pages | 8.5 in x 8.75 in |
| Keywords | companionship; unlikely friendships; working together; acceptance; cooperation; repetitive; remarkable mr. king; |
| Written By |
DEBORAH KERBEL is the award-winning author of 11 novels for young readers, as well as 20 picture books, including No Huddles for Heloise, illustrated by Udayana Lugo; Sun Dog, illustrated by Suzanne Del Rizzo; and When Spider Met Shrew, illustrated by Geneviève Côté. Her books have been shortlisted for the Governor General’s Award and the Blue Spruce Award, among many others. Born in London, England, Deborah now lives in Thornhill, Ontario, with her family and rescue schnoodle, Freddie. |
| Illustrated by |
GENEVIÈVE CÔTÉ has illustrated books by a number of talented authors, including Jean Little, Cary Fagan, Gilles Tibo and several others. She also sometimes writes stories of her own, including the Pig and Bunny series, and the Mr. King series, which has been adapted for television. Her work has earned her the Governor General’s Award and the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award. She lives in Montréal, Québec |
| Written By |
|
DEBORAH KERBEL is the award-winning author of 11 novels for young readers, as well as 20 picture books, including No Huddles for Heloise, illustrated by Udayana Lugo; Sun Dog, illustrated by Suzanne Del Rizzo; and When Spider Met Shrew, illustrated by Geneviève Côté. Her books have been shortlisted for the Governor General’s Award and the Blue Spruce Award, among many others. Born in London, England, Deborah now lives in Thornhill, Ontario, with her family and rescue schnoodle, Freddie. |
| Illustrated by |
|
GENEVIÈVE CÔTÉ has illustrated books by a number of talented authors, including Jean Little, Cary Fagan, Gilles Tibo and several others. She also sometimes writes stories of her own, including the Pig and Bunny series, and the Mr. King series, which has been adapted for television. Her work has earned her the Governor General’s Award and the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award. She lives in Montréal, Québec |
| Audience | ages 3 to 6 / grades P to 1 |
| Key Text Features | illustrations; speech bubbles |
| Common Core |
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.7 |
However this story is interpreted—as a tale of teamwork, unexpected friendship, or just plain silliness—viewers are in for a good time.
” —Bulletin of the Center for Children's BooksA wholesome and heartfelt read.
” —CM: Canadian Review of MaterialsThis book helps young readers understand homelessness as well as appreciate compassion for the less fortunate.
” —Winnipeg Free PressWhile grownups will read When Spider Met Shrew with a nostalgic, cozy feeling, younger readers will find a beautiful lesson that they can bring with them and use in their own little communities.
” —Cloud Lake Literary