Are You a Spider? (Backyard Books)

Another great installment of the "Are you a...?" series. My girls (ages 4 and 2) love this book, as well as the others. All of these books start by asking "Are you a spider?" (dragonfly, ladybug, snail, etc.), then go on to talk about how if you ARE said critter, then this is how you were born, how you grow, where you live, what you eat, and what eats you. Then it concludes by saying that if you look more like THIS (showing art of various kids), you are not a spider, but a human child. Each of these books follows a similar format, and each has good scientific information about the animal being discussed, as well as detailed, visually appealing art. The final "Did you know?" spread gives more general information about the animal and others of its kind. I appreciate it for its easy-to-understand science and how it helps the child relate to an animal that might not otherwise be so easy to relate to!

This line of children's books are amazing. Each one begins with the question, "Are you a Spider?" or slug or bee or whatever. It continues, "If you are, then you were born like this, and you grow up like such, and this is how you catch your food" and on through the life cycle. They are very simple to read, yet very educational and very funny. At the end the book concludes that the reader is, in fact, probably not a spider, but a human boy or girl, and, thankfully, will never, ever, have to wrap up a bug and eat it! The last 2 pages contain fun and interesting facts about spiders. After reading this one I immediately went out and bought every book in the series for my niece. They will be suitable to be read to children too young to read themselves, but also for children of all ages. This is the kind of book you will discover in your attic 20 years later, and still enjoy-re-reading.

The children I presented the spider lesson to just LOVED the book!!! Most of the children from several different age groups could tell how they were not spiders:) They were spontainious to answer "no" to the facts in the book, as well as, ask their own questions. It certainly was a great way to introduce the topic of spiders. I am looking forward to reading it with my granddaughter who is 3 1/2 years old :)

We have ordered the majority of the Backyard books for our daughter who loves science. Good explanation, fair illustrations. Has been great for preschooler, early elementary age child regarding understanding material and encouraging interest in science. Our favorites are "Are you a Ladybug" and "Are you a Butterfly" but all books have been informative and fun to read! We have even learned quite a bit as parents and one of us actually has a science background.

I loved this series. They are written in a creative and interesting manner that will draw a young reader in. They tell the information by asking questions. At the end it of the book it brings the child to understand their attributes as well. I bought quite a number of books from this series.

My son is a spider enthusiast, and is obsessed with them! We got him this book for Christmas and he loves it. It has nice pictures and helps explain the life of a spider in terms my four-year-old understands.

Granddaughter and I read together over facetime - great to soothe spider fears

My son just learned to read and this book (along with others in the series) are great for new readers. Clear and large letters, not too many on one page, and the illustrations are vibrant and educational.

I learned loads and so did my 3 year old. Even if a lot of it goes over his head now, it's the kind of book he can keep coming back to for years to come. The text has a lovely conversational tone. I bought most of the series, and all the ones I've read so far seem great.

fun book

my kid loved this book

Great book to start toddlers in concepts about nature. Simple and fun to read.

thanks!