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Go to My LibraryThe Very Busy Spider
- Language
- English
- Published in
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Pages
- 32
- ISBN
- 9780448480527
Subjects
Original edition details
Other editions (36)
Other editions

The Very Busy Spider
2021 • Random House Children's Books
English

The Very Busy Spider
1995 • Penguin
English

The Very Busy Spider
1985 • Penguin Young Readers Group
English

The Very Busy Spider Book Display
2000 • Penguin Publishing Group
English

The Very Busy Spider
1984 • Philomel Books
English

The Very Busy Spider
2014 • Penguin Young Readers Group
English

The Very Busy Spider
2010 • Penguin Books, Limited
English

The Very Busy Spider
1989 • Philomel Books
English

Very Busy Spider
1990 • Scholastic Paperbacks
English

The Very Busy Spider
2021 • Random House Books for Young Readers
English

The Very Busy Spider
1996 • Hamish Hamilton
English

The Very Busy Spider
1985 • Scholastic
English

The Very Busy Spider
2000 • Penguin Publishing Group
English

The Very Busy Spider
1996 • Scholastic
English

好忙的蜘蛛
1999 • 上誼
Chinese

The Very Busy Spider
2021 • National Geographic Books
English

The Very Busy Spider
2011 • Puffin
English

The Very Busy Spider
2011 • National Geographic Books
English

The Very Busy Spider
2014 • Penguin
English

The Very Busy Spider
1984 • Philomel Books
English

The Very Busy Spider A Lift-the-Flap Book
2006 • National Geographic Books
English

The Very Busy Spider, mini and plush 4-copy
2000 • Philomel
English

The Very Busy Spider
2014 • Turtleback
English

Трудный день у паучка
2017 • Rozovyĭ zhiraf
Russian

La araña muy ocupada
2008 • National Geographic Books
Spanish

The Very Busy Spider/La araña muy ocupada (Bilingual English-Spanish Edition)
2023 • Penguin
English

De spin die het te druk had
1996 • Gottmer
Dutch

De spin die het te druk had
1994 • Gottmer
Dutch

La araña muy ocupada
2004 • National Geographic Books
Spanish

L'araignée qui ne perd pas son temps
1998 • Mijade
French

La araña hacendosa cartoné mediana
2016 • Editorial Kókinos
Spanish

Die kleine Spinne spinnt und schweigt. Ein Tastbilderbuch.
1995 • Gerstenberg
German

Die kleine Spinne spinnt und schweigt
1999 • Gerstenberg
German

Busy Spi/hung Cat16cd
1995 • Philomel
English

The Very Busy Spider: Read Together Edition
2020 • Penguin Young Readers Group
English

L'araignée qui ne perd pas son temps
2010 • Mijade
French
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Rating Sources
The reviews consistently praise The Very Busy Spider for its vibrant and distinctive art style, characteristic of Eric Carle, which many find visually appealing and engaging for young readers. A significant highlight is the interactive element of the raised, textured spider web on each page, allowing children to feel its growth as the story progresses. This tactile feature, along with the repetition of animal sounds and phrases, is widely appreciated for captivating young readers and aiding in concept grasp and animal identification. Many reviewers note that children, even those under two and up to five years old, are enthusiastic about the book, often requesting multiple re-reads. The story is also seen to convey positive messages about hard work, determination, and focus, as the spider diligently works on her web despite distractions.
Despite its strengths, some reviewers find the book's repetitive nature to be a drawback, particularly for adults reading it aloud multiple times, with one reviewer describing it as "lazy" in its execution. The spider's singular focus and lack of interaction with other animals lead to varied interpretations of its message, with some jokingly or critically labeling the spider as "rude" or "self-centered," and questioning the implications of such extreme dedication on social interaction. A few adults admit to finding the spider's behavior "irking" or disliking spiders in general, which affects their overall enjoyment. While generally loved by children, there are isolated instances where a child did not connect with the story.
Overall, The Very Busy Spider is largely considered a successful and beloved children's book, especially popular with the preschool and early elementary age groups. Its unique blend of bright illustrations, a compelling tactile element, and a simple yet profound narrative makes it highly engaging for young children. While adults might find the repetition tedious or ponder the spider's social etiquette, the book's ability to hold a child's attention and subtly teach about perseverance and animal sounds is frequently highlighted. It is particularly recommended for young readers who enjoy interactive books, fans of Eric Carle's distinctive style, and parents looking for stories that encourage focus and determination.
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