Spiders, Scorpions, etc.

Spiders: Biggest! Littlest!

Name: Spiders: Biggest! Littlest!
Author: Sandra Markle
ISBN: 9781590781906

by Sandra Markle, Simon Pollard

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Overview

One spider is as big as a dinner plate. Another one is as tiny as the tiniest raindrop. How does it help a spider to be so big? And how could it help another spider to be so small? Spiders Biggest! Littlest! answers these and other fascinating questions. Stunning photos of spiders from around the world show how spiders live. Each kind has features—big or small—that help it live in its special part of the world. The variety of eight-legged silk spinners is amazing, and some of the most astonishing examples are here in the latest offering by internationally recognized science writer Sandra Markle.
The photographs are by Dr. Simon Pollard, who has traveled the globe to study how spiders live and snap their photographs along the way. Young readers will quickly find themselves bitten by a new fascination for some of nature's most interesting creatures.

About the Author, Sandra Markle

Sandra Markle has written more than seventy nonfiction books about science for children. She has won more than thirty awards for her work. In addition to her books, Ms. Markle has developed science specials for television as well as Internet-based educational programs. She lives in New Zealand.

Dr. Simon Pollard is a biologist, natural history writer, and photographer. He is Curator of Invertebrate Zoology at Canterbury Museum, Christchurch, New Zealand.

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Editorials

Children's Literature

Did you know the female Golden Orb Web spider builds the world's biggest web? Her silk trap may be as wide as two cars parked side by side! Golden Orb Spiders may also hook their webs together. This may make a trap that is two stories tall! The Golden Orb Web Spider's silk is so strong that the web can last for years. Local fisherman used to take the spider's web to use as a fishing net Readers will love the detailed and intense photographs that combine with this non-fiction picture book text. Young readers will also find a map of each spider's location, and a small glossary. Students studying spiders in a science curriculum will find this book to be an exciting addition to their studies. 2004, Boyds Mills Press, Ages 4 to 10.
—Mindy Hardwick

Kirkus Reviews

How does it help a spider to be big or little? Markle provides brief text and many photos to demonstrate how body size, huge eyes, two-story webs, and large fangs help different spiders survive. As with other titles in this series, the author uses guiding questions to encourage children to explore the world around them. The author of over 70 science books for children, Markle effortlessly engages the youngest science reader and stimulates the curiosity of less able older readers, discussing how spiders catch their prey, inject venom, molt, and spin webs. She concludes with a world map showing where to find the spiders described, size information on species, as well as a brief spider vocabulary and surprising facts. New Zealand spider biologist Pollard provides striking extra-large, close-up photos of spiders, their fangs, silk spinnerets, webs, eggs, and eyes. Most of the spiders are New Zealand natives, so spider-spotters will need to look elsewhere for local species information. A good beginning to inspire discussion of animal adaptation. (Nonfiction. 5-8)