I’m Not Afraid of Spiders

I’m Not Afraid of Spiders by Caitlin Henderson, illustrated by Annie Henderson (CSIRO) HB RRP $26.99 ISBN9781486318551

This is a non-fiction children’s picture book written in rhyming verse that explores the world of spiders, their fascinating features, and their different shapes, colours, and sizes.

Readers discover how there's nothing to fear about these beautiful but often misunderstood animals. Meet spiders that jump, spiders that sparkle and spiders that look like twigs. Be amazed by their fascinating features and different shapes, colours and sizes. Learn, for example, how spiders use their legs to sense touch and air movement, even to taste things.

At the end of the book there is a double-page spread titled ‘All About Spiders.’ It explains words such as arachnids, invertebrates, exoskeletons and arachnologists. It also explains how spiders use their spinnerets to make silk for their webs. And how newly hatched spiders use a technique called ballooning to find a new place to live. As well, readers learn that almost all spiders are venomous and inject venom into their prey to paralyse or kill it before they eat it.

Handy as well is a glossary that explains all things related to spiders, such as habitat and cephalothorax (the front part of a spider, where the legs are attached)

Caitlin Henderson is an award-winning wildlife photographer and writer who works with live spiders and other invertebrates. She tells stories of misunderstood wildlife online under the name She’s Got Legs Photography.

Annie Henderson is an illustrator with a love of nature and a passion for finding beauty in even the smallest of creatures. Her passion for illustration began as a child, when she and her sister Caitlin would spend hours creating drawings of make-believe worlds.

Reading level varies from child to child, but we recommend this book for ages 5 to 9.