★ 06/19/2023
Close-up artwork and lucid text by Lanan result in an immersive exploration of a common jumping spider’s abilities and physical traits. The subject, known as Jumper, may be tiny (“as small as a bean”), but her eight eyes, tufted feet, “built-in safety line,” and ability to jump five times her body length all help her hunt for the insects she eats. An aerial view captures humans of varying skin tones enjoying a community garden in bright sunlight. There, ink, watercolor, and gouache spreads show Jumper alternately pursuing possible meals and escaping becoming prey, sensing vibrations through “elbows and knees” and detecting sound through the hairs covering her entire body. Combined with an often-question-driven narration that puts the readers in Jumper’s shoes, unconventional angles, deep shadows, and an impressive spread that visualizes the garden through the spider’s eyes add fresh perspective. Ages 4–8. (Apr.)
*A Sibert Honor Book*
*Four starred reviews*
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
Booklist Editors' Choice
A Bank Street Best Book of the Year
★ "Readers will leap for this magnificent glimpse at a most marvelous arachnid." - Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ "An exceptionally empathetic exploration of the natural world sure to inspire new arachnid allies." - Booklist, starred review
★ "An immersive exploration of a common jumping spider’s abilities and physical traits." - Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ "An accessible and thought-provoking title that connects readers to the world of a spider through engagement and education." - School Library Journal, starred review
"Simple but cinematic...satisfyingly dramatic." - BCCB
"Lush and dramatic." - Hornbook Magazine
An NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students
An ALSC Notable Children's Book
A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year
An Evanston Public Library Great Book for Kids
★ 11/03/2023
PreS-Gr 3—The garden is filled with all kinds of life, from tall beanstalks to the small but noteworthy backyard jumping spider. Thanks to many adaptations, Jumper can navigate a multifaceted world with ease, whether she is avoiding danger or securing a tasty meal. But life is not always as simple as one might hope, and Jumper must be constantly on her guard in order to survive. This informative picture book reads much like a documentary narrated by David Attenborough. The text is succinct, and it invites readers directly into the narrative through questions and the use of second-person pronouns. With varied sizes and styles of text, the book has a compelling visual presentation to accompany its colorful and detailed illustrations. These images include a range of colors and details, depicting the garden from both a distance and zoomed in, which helps to orient readers to the vastness of Jumper's world when they might only ever see a small piece of it themselves. Expert use of shadow and light brings Jumper's world to life, and readers will come away with a greater respect for this under-appreciated garden dweller. Extensive back matter provides older readers with even greater detail about the backyard jumping spider, including a plea to protect all garden spiders from harm. VERDICT This is an accessible and thought-provoking title that connects readers to the world of a spider through engagement and education.—Mary R. Lanni
★ 2023-01-25
Imagine the life of a common jumping spider!
Framed as a child’s efforts to understand what it might be like to be a regal jumper, the narrative explores the movements of the creature (referred to as Jumper); how she senses vibrations through her knees and elbows, hears, and sees; and her actions as she avoids predators and captures prey. There are two levels of text here, but in a reversal of what many nonfiction books do, the storyline is carried in the smaller print. The lines in larger print summarize what’s been described, working like retrospective section headings. The framing story, told mainly in the ink, watercolor, and gouache illustrations, centers on a visit to a community garden by a child with braids and tan skin. What makes this particularly appealing is that the child’s pictured actions—climbing, jumping, listening, looking, and finding food—mirror the spider’s. Most spectacular is the magnified close-up of the spider catching her prey, a fly. Throughout, imagination has been harnessed to engage with the natural world without anthropomorphism. Two backmatter spreads provide far more detail about the anatomy and life cycle of this spider family, a glossary, helpful hints for finding and identifying spiders, an author’s note, further resources, and an important plea not to kill these valuable creatures. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Readers will leap for this magnificent glimpse at a most marvelous arachnid. (Informational picture book. 4-8)
