'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Wednesday, August 7, 2024

REVIEW: Spiro

Spiro the spider is thinking about lunch! He dreams of catching scrumptious moths, juicy flies and crunchy stink-bugs. And so, he sets to work to weave his web.

Spiro’s formula for spidery success:
11% hunger to succeed (or actual hunger),
34% trying again and again… and again
53% giving it another shot
2% luck

And a whole lot of spider silk.

Spiro is a funny, clever and delightfully optimistic picture book from award-winning author and illustrator, Anna McGregor. 

Its cover is bright and enticing, with silver spiderweb threads and a cheerful Spiro who gazes with love at a smelly old fly.

On the page, this spider is sheer joy (which is surprising - he is a spider after all!). He is a dappled, neon-pink colour with a cheeky smile, friendly eyes and outrageous lanky black legs that deftly express his emotions - often to hilarious effect.

He is also persistent! Readers can feel and see Spiro’s determination as he re-builds a colourful web each time his plans are thwarted. I have to confess, I’m a little bit in love with this spider.

Without giving too much away, the book has all the very best elements of children’s literature: new anticipation with every turn of the page; moments of tension that are resolved as the reader investment in Spiro’s quest becomes heightened; friendly and loveable characters that make you smile; colour and movement; perfect timing and frequent surprises.

It also inherently offers the deep and helpful observation that often in life, we need to pick ourselves up and try again. And again. And again.

Perfect for the classroom and the home bookshelf. Spiro is an absolute winner in every way.

Title: Spiro
Author/Illustrator: Anna McGregor
Publisher: Scribble, $24.99
Publication Date: 2 July 2024
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781761381010
For Ages: 3 +
Type: Picture Book