Frank the Seven-Legged Spider

by Michaele Razi

Overview

A fun-read aloud picture book about a spider who loves to weave amazing artistic webs, only to wake up one day to discover he's missing a leg. Is he still a spider if he only has seven legs? His question is answered as his search for his missing leg takes readers on an adventure that is sure to bring a smile even to those wary of spiders.

Frank loves being a spider, especially the part that involves having eight glorious legs. But one morning Frank wakes up missing a leg. One of his friends exclaims, "I barely recognize him!" Another friend asks, "Are you still a spider, Frank?" Is he still a spider? Frank doesn't know. A funny and heartfelt quest filled with surprises ensues as Frank searches for his leg and the answer to his identity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781632171283
Publisher:	Blue Star Press
Publication date:	09/12/2017
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	527,728
Product dimensions:	8.24(w) x 10.26(h) x 0.37(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Michaele Razi is a children's book writer and illustrator. She loves children's books of all kinds: picture books, early chapter books and middle grade books. She enjoys all genres but she especially likes to read (and write) characters who are silly, funny and a little bit naughty. She lives outside of Seattle with her family and her two rascally cats. Frank the Seven-Legged Spider is her authorial debut.

Editorial Reviews

"The deceptively straightforward text lures readers into the digital illustrations' silly punch lines and droll grace notes...the Jon Klassen-esque twist puts a wicked spin on his journey to acceptance."
—Kirkus Reviews

"Razi’s debut paints a hopeful picture about a protagonist with a physical disability while at the same time acknowledging some of the struggles he encounters."
—School Library Journal

"A silly story about a spider that loses his leg."
—Seattle Magazine

"A tale that teaches self-acceptance and determination." 
—Seattle Times

"We love the humor woven throughout Frank the Seven-Legged Spider.  Equally enjoyable for both kids and adults, it is one of those books that will please younger and older children." 
—Wild Tales Of

From the Publisher

08/01/2017
PreS-Gr 2—Frank loves being a spider. He gets to make beautiful webs, and scare people, and he has eight wonderful legs to help him accomplish these things. Then one day he wakes up to find that one of his limbs is missing. He searches for it, despairing over the possible effects, before finally realizing that it does not change who he is. This is one of the few picture books available with a main character who has a physical disability. Through this determined protagonist, Razi speaks to kids about the topic with sensitivity, even when touching upon specifics such as discrimination, identity crisis, and rehabilitation. Her message is optimistic; this is made possible because of the uplifting tone created by the cute, circular characters and the humor. In general, the artist's considered use of color and space helps convey a variety of emotional notes in the digital art. VERDICT Razi's debut paints a hopeful picture about a protagonist with a physical disability while at the same time acknowledging some of the struggles he encounters. Great for one-on-one or small group sharing.—Rachel Forbes, Oakville Public Library, Ont.

School Library Journal

2017-07-02
After losing a leg, a spider sets out to find it—and his identity.Frank likes spinning beautiful webs—they're works of art, really—and scaring humans, which also entertains (most of) his friends. But above all, he likes his eight "beautiful, glorious" legs. When he wakes up missing one, (most of) his friends wonder what happened. Is he still a spider? After getting his balance, Frank searches for his leg in unusual places to no avail. Fortunately, some practical ants remind him that he can still spin and jump, averting his identity crisis; the last scene finds Frank pranking an unsuspecting cyclist, who's about to ride smack into Frank's grinning, seven-legged self-portrait. But wait—is that a sneakered severed leg somebody's holding in the credits? The story's short, direct sentences and speech-balloon dialogue are reassuringly pragmatic, acknowledging difficulties and moving on. The deceptively straightforward text lures readers into the digital illustrations' silly punch lines and droll grace notes, the figures and their muted colors magnified against minimal background. Composed of simple, high-contrast circles, Frank conveys everything from annoyance to joy with his wide eyes and tiny-fang-tipped mouth. Frank's infectious expressions and humorous misadventures give his disability a refreshingly lighthearted treatment, but the Jon Klassen-esque twist puts a wicked spin on his journey to acceptance. By turns hilarious, affirming, and an itsy bit disturbing. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews