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‘A Web’ Book Review

'A Web' Book Review

I am always on the lookout for new picture books to share with my children. My kids especially love nature books because of their love of all things nature. My preschooler son in particular enjoys spiders and bugs. When recently offered the chance to review A Web written and illustrated by Isabelle Simler from Peter Pauper Press in exchange for my honest opinion, I eagerly accepted the opportunity to add a new title to my home library.

Author/Illustrator

Currently living and working in Paris, author and illustrator Isabelle Simler graduated from the Graduate School of Decorative Arts in Strasbourg, France. In 2012 after working for several years in the field of animation, she devoted herself to youth literature. She has written and illustrated several books for children including Plume, which the New York Times selected as one of the Best Illustrated Children’s Books of 2017.

Synopsis

Recommended for young readers between the ages of 5 and 8 in kindergarten through third grade, A Web offers a picture book and nature guide to linger over. Written with the idea that there is much to see in nature in mind, the book follows a spider — both a collector and an artist — as she skillfully crafts a masterpiece from all that falls into her path. The 48-page full-color picture book with dust jacket measures 13 inches wide by 9 inches high and currently costs $11.72 on Amazon with a list price of $16.99.

Front Cover of 'A Web' Back Cover of 'A Web'

Inside Pages of 'A Web' 1 Inside Pages of 'A Web' 2

Evaluation

“In nature there is much to see, if you look closely,” begins A Web. The actual text in the book is quite short, with just a few words on each page. However, the journey that the patient and observant spider makes is vivid. A picture is truly worth a thousand words. Each two-page spread features something in nature that the spider encounters such as leaves, bugs, and flowers. One whole page includes a picture dictionary of some of the more specific kinds of wonders that make up the spider’s landscape. For example, the page about leaves includes fern, linden, grape vine, ginkgo, and holly leaves in up-close detail.

My preschooler son loves sitting down on my lap as I read A Web aloud to him. He loves looking at all the things from nature on each page, and he especially loves pointing out the spider along the way. While the actual story is short and quick to read, the illustrations are luscious and intricate. I appreciate the softness of the illustration style and all the delicate details included throughout the pages. A Web is a gorgeous book perfect for any nature lover.

Final Verdict

If you are searching for a book for your little nature lover, I highly recommend checking out A Web written and illustrated by Isabelle Simler from Peter Pauper Press. The simple book for kids in kindergarten through third grade proves that a picture is worth a thousand words. The story follows a spider as she appreciates all the wonders that make up her landscape. My 4-year-old son loves looking at all the intricate details in the soft illustrations as he and I read the book together. A Web is definitely a new favorite in The Parenting Patch household!

Purchase A Web on Amazon via my affiliate link.

Image Credits

‘A Web’ Book Review © 2019 Heather Johnson
Front Cover of ‘A Web’ © 2019 Heather Johnson
Back Cover of ‘A Web’ © 2019 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of ‘A Web’ 1 © 2019 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of ‘A Web’ 2 © 2019 Heather Johnson

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