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Synopsis
An introduction to the physical characteristics, behavior, and life cycle of black widow spiders.
Cara Mulcahy - Children's Literature
One of the many fascinating books in the Garth Stevens "Imagination Library" series, title introduces the reader to unique and captivating facts about the black widow spider. Can you imagine being one of a hundred newborns to the same mother? Well, black widow spiders usually lay hundreds of eggs at a time. When the spider lays her eggs she places them in silk balls calls egg sacs. There are usually about a hundred eggs per sac. Unfortunately, of the hundred spiderlings that hatch, only about one in every twelve survives. This is because they get eaten by insects and sometimes by the other spiderlings. Like other spiders, black widows grow through a process called molting. A spiderling will molt many times before it is fully grown. Each time it molts its color becomes darker. Female black widows usually live for up to a year and a half, while the males usually only live for a month or two once they are full grown. Sometimes the female eats the male. This is largely due the black widow's poor eyesight. Eric Ethan provides many more thrilling details about the black widow's physical appearance, the webs they spin, what they eat and where they live. The reader is also provided with a glossary and an index as well as a list of other resources such as books and web sites one can use to find out more information about spiders. A great resource in a language arts or content area classroom, this book is attractive for beginning readers due to its large print, and the large, colorful photographs which compliment the text. 2004, Gareth Stevens Publishing, Ages 7 up.
Editorials
Children's Literature
One of the many fascinating books in the Garth Stevens "Imagination Library" series, title introduces the reader to unique and captivating facts about the black widow spider. Can you imagine being one of a hundred newborns to the same mother? Well, black widow spiders usually lay hundreds of eggs at a time. When the spider lays her eggs she places them in silk balls calls egg sacs. There are usually about a hundred eggs per sac. Unfortunately, of the hundred spiderlings that hatch, only about one in every twelve survives. This is because they get eaten by insects and sometimes by the other spiderlings. Like other spiders, black widows grow through a process called molting. A spiderling will molt many times before it is fully grown. Each time it molts its color becomes darker. Female black widows usually live for up to a year and a half, while the males usually only live for a month or two once they are full grown. Sometimes the female eats the male. This is largely due the black widow's poor eyesight. Eric Ethan provides many more thrilling details about the black widow's physical appearance, the webs they spin, what they eat and where they live. The reader is also provided with a glossary and an index as well as a list of other resources such as books and web sites one can use to find out more information about spiders. A great resource in a language arts or content area classroom, this book is attractive for beginning readers due to its large print, and the large, colorful photographs which compliment the text. 2004, Gareth Stevens Publishing, Ages 7 up.—Cara Mulcahy