The Spider and the Fly
Author: Based on the Tale by Mary Howitt
Illustrator:
Tony DiTerlizzi
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date: 2002
Awards: ALA Notable Children's Books, Beehive Award Master List (UT), Caldecott Honor (2003), CCBC Choices (Cooperative Children's Book Council), Charlotte Award Ballot (NY), Great Lakes Great Books Master List (MI), IRA/CBC Children's Choices, Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Master List
Ages: 4-8
Topics: Spiders, Lady Fly, webs, fantasy, poetry, moral, parable
Summary: Inspired by classic horror films from the 1920s and 30s, this book is based on the traditional English verse "Will you walk into my parlor, said the Spider to the Fly..."
Book Connections
The Spider and Fly Original Poem
- Selected Poetry of Mary Howitt (1799-1888) include The Spider and the Fly
- The Spider and the Fly from Wikipedia
- The Spider and the Fly from Wikisource (the text of the poem)
- The Spider and the Fly (search results from Google Books)
Teaching and Learning Connections
- Black and White. Why do you think that the illustrator chose to use black and white illustrations rather than color?
- Visualizing the Story. Some stories are told over and over again. Each time the illustrator takes a different view of the content. Read The Spider and the Fly. Think about al the ways the spider and fly could be visualized. Check out some other examples of The Spider and the Fly from Nursery Rhymes, Peter Parley's Winter Evening Tales.
- Poem Comparison. Compare this book to the original poem and the poem A Spider and A Fly, Famous Spider Poems, Viewers Spider Poems,
- Spider Man. Try The Spider and the Fly math problem.
- Fact or Fantasy. What's the real relationship between the spider and the fly? Create a list of questions based on the book, then use some of the following resources for information: Spider Facts from Spiderz Rule, Spiders from Enchanted Learning.
- The Spider and the Fly WebQuest. Try a WebQuest based on the book.
- Spider WebQuests
Try Mrs. Slagle's WebQuest based on The Spider and the Fly for Grade 7.
Try The Great Spider Expedition for Grades 1 and 2.
Learn More
Do a Thinkfinity search for spider and fly.