Weaving Wonder: Spider Books For Kids 0 To 5 Years
If you purchase through affiliate links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only link to products I recommend, from companies I trust.
Updated: November 9, 2023
From a stack of over 30 books, I’ve handpicked my 12 favorite spider books for toddlers and preschoolers. Your children will adore these captivating but creepy spider stories, facts, and photographs.
Categories
I have years of experience in early childhood classrooms and a dedication to catching and releasing spiders. Bug books are one of my favorite ways to combine literacy, STEM skills, and foster children’s love of nature.
Spider Stories
Bear’s Scare by Jacob Grant
Bear’s Scare is a heartwarming spider book that introduces the concept of prejudice in an approachable way for children. From the situations to the illustrations, there are plenty of ways for children to emotionally connect to this story. This is definitely a story that can grow with children, and they’ll discover new lessons each time they revisit it.
Awake by Mags Deroma
Children who are spooked by bugs will find the main character in Awake! relatable. It’s an excellent book for interactive learning, helping readers develop problem-solving skills as they consider the main character’s (sometimes ridiculous) plans. I particularly love this spider book for its phenomenal paper artwork and lesson on rescuing spiders.
Seaver the Weaver by Paul Czajak, illustrated by The Brothers Hilts
Seaver the Weaver intertwines spiders, shapes, and stargazing. This book encourages readers to pursue their interests, even when different from the popular path. The sibling relationships in the book will be familiar to children, too! I recommend using this book to spark discussions about finding shapes in nature.
Nothing Scares Spider by S. Marendaz, illustrated by Carly Gledhill
This book is just stinkin’ adorable, and the cute little spider is not scared of anything. This book shows the valuable lesson that it’s good to be brave, normal to feel scared, and wise to have a safety plan. Nothing Scares Spider also weaves in a heartwarming tale of friendship and asking others for help.
Walter’s Wonderful Web by Tim Hopgood
Walter’s Wonderful Web captivates readers’ attention with alliteration, repetition, and engaging sound words. Children will love joining you to say “whoosh!” as you read along. This spider book, like Seaver the Weaver, introduces shapes through spiderwebs and highlights the valuable lesson of staying persistent.
Spider on the Floor by Raffi, illustrated by True Kelley
Spider on the Floor is an irresistible classic children’s book that everyone will love singing along to. I can’t even read the title without singing it in my head! To boost interactive learning, invite children to act out the story. For babies and toddlers, gently tap each body part as you read to build body awareness.
Shop the Book List
Bookshop.org is an incredible online bookseller supporting small, local bookstores. Grow your library and feel good about it.
Check it out >
Spider Books for Babies & Toddlers
The Itsy Bitsy Spider: Indestructibles by Maddie Frost & Amy Pixton
The Itsy Bitsy Spider: Indestructibles is a part of the Indestructibles series, known for being rip-proof and washable – ideal for tiny book lovers still learning to handle books gently. Using this book, you can model the actions of “Itsy Bitsy Spider,” which is a wonderful way to encourage early language development in infants and toddlers.
Web Opposites by Rob Hodgson
I included Web Opposites on this list because it’s absolutely adorable and versatile with different age groups. The high-contrast illustrations are ideal for babies’ developing eyes, while the humor is great for older toddlers and preschoolers. This board book focuses on opposites and also introduces basic information about spiders.
Itsy Bitsy Spider: Sign & Singalong by Annie Kubler
Itsy Bitsy Spider: Sign & Singalong has been a great tool to demonstrate the movements of “Itsy Bitsy Spider.” It’s beneficial for babies and toddlers, especially those with communication delays, as it offers extra language input via signing and singing. This board book is amazing for kids who love music, bridging the gap between songs and reading.
Nonfiction Spider Books
Scurry! The Truth About Spiders by Annette Whipple
If I’m recommending one nonfiction spider book, this would be it. Scurry! The Truth About Spiders is filled with facts and photographs, including close-ups of spiders and spider webs. After reading this book, children will have a better appreciation for these creepy critters.
Next Time You See a Spiderweb by Emily Morgan
Time You See a Spiderweb explores the purpose and structures of spiderwebs. I love this book for sparking wonder at the beauty and ingenuity of spiderwebs (spiderwebs are really cool). And I’ve said it before, but every bookshelf needs children’s books with real photographs to help them understand the world.
The Spider by Elise Gravel
The Spider is a goofy and quirky way to introduce spiders to children. The book is filled with facts about spider behavior, and silly illustrations to spark conversations.
I recommend BookShop.org as an alternative to amazon. Each purchase on BookShop.org supports local and independent bookstores.
