Spiders

Bishop, Nic. 2007. SPIDERS. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 0439877563 [Suggested Grade Levels K-5]

REVIEW
When Nic Bishop was home-schooled in Papua New Guinea, he studied one of the spiders in the family garden. This experience sparked his interest in spiders and the smaller animals of the planet and has allowed him to be the photographer for a number of nonfiction books. In his current work, Bishop is not only the photographer but also the author of SPIDERS. Filled with interesting known and unknown facts about a variety of spiders, Bishop covers the physical body of the spider, hunting and eating habits, mating and breeding, in addition to a variety of other entertaining facts. The book is basic enough that new studiers of spiders will be introduced to necessary basics, and thorough enough to provide new information to those interested in the topic. What sets this book apart from other spider books are the photographs; Bishop’s work is extraordinary. The closeness and intensity of the shots bring the spiders to life and help emphasize every topic that Bishop covers. SPIDERS is a must read book for anyone interested in some of the smallest animals of the planet.

CONNECTIONS
According to SPIDERS, there are over 38,000 types of spiders in the world today. Have readers choose a specific spider to further research and study. Have readers present their information and then compare and contrast the different spiders’ characteristics and habits.

RELATED BOOKS
Other books about spiders:
Montgomery, Sy. THE TARANTULA SCIENTIST. ISBN 061891577X
Squire, Ann O. SPIDERS OF NORTH AMERICA. ISBN 0531164497

Other books photographed by Nic Bishop:
Cowley, Joy. CHAMELEON CHAMELEON. ISBN 0439666538
Cowley, Joy. RED-EYED TREE FROG. ISBN 043978221X


By Mary D. Buckalo