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Eric Carle
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The Very Busy Spider Hardcover – Picture Book, March 6, 1985

by Eric Carle (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 6,368 ratings
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A VERY classic from Eric Carle, creator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Early one morning a little spider spins her web on a fence post. One by one, the animals of the nearby farm try to distract her, yet the busy little spider keeps diligently at her work. When she is done, she is able to show everyone that not only is her creation quite beautiful, it is also quite useful!

This multi-sensory book allows children to feel the pictures as well as see them. And with its rhythmic text, The Very Busy Spider becomes an experience to touch, to see, and to hear.

Praise for The Very Busy Spider:

* "A beautifully executed work for the very young that satisfies the needs of both visually handicapped and sighted children without losing its artistic integrity."--The Horn Book, starred review

* "Both sighted and blind children will follow the action with ease . . . Visually and verbally, this is a winner."--Booklist, starred review
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    1 - 4 years, from customers
  2. Part of series
    Step into Reading level 2
  3. Print length
    48 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Lexile measure
    330L
  6. Dimensions
    11.69 x 0.42 x 8.56 inches
  7. Publisher
    World of Eric Carle
  8. Publication date
    March 6, 1985
  9. ISBN-10
    0399211667
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0399211669
  11. See all details
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The Very Quiet Cricket (Avenues)
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Every young child should be introduced to this story, as great a classic as its predecessor, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. This colorful picture book describes a spider's day. Blown onto a farmyard fence, she starts to spin a web. The other animals ask if she wants to play, but in every case "the spider didn't answer. She was very busy spinning her web." The book is touchable: elements including the strands of web are embossed on the pages and you can follow them with your fingertips. But the best thing by far is Carle's familiar, yet still breathtaking skill as an illustrator. Especially in this large 11.5-by-8.5-inch format, his cow, goat, and dog (just to mention three favorites) capture the essence of each animal in a way few artists can hope to approach. (Baby to preschool) --Richard Farr

Review

Praise for The Very Busy Spider:

* "A beautifully executed work for the very young that satisfies the needs of both visually handicapped and sighted children without losing its artistic integrity."--The Horn Book, starred review

* "Both sighted and blind children will follow the action with ease . . . Visually and verbally, this is a winner."--Booklist, starred review

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ World of Eric Carle (March 6, 1985)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 48 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0399211667
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0399211669
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 1 - 4 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 330L
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.14 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 11.69 x 0.42 x 8.56 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 6,368 ratings

About the author

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Eric Carle

Eric Carle

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Eric Carle is acclaimed and beloved as the creator of brilliantly illustrated and innovatively designed picture books for very young children. His best-known work, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has eaten its way into the hearts of literally millions of children all over the world and has been translated into more than 62 languages and sold over 41 million copies. Since the Caterpillar was published in 1969, Eric Carle has illustrated more than 70 books, many best sellers, most of which he also wrote.

Carle says: "With many of my books I attempt to bridge the gap between the home and school. To me home represents, or should represent; warmth, security, toys, holding hands, being held. School is a strange and new place for a child. Will it be a happy place? There are new people, a teacher, classmates - will they be friendly? I believe the passage from home to school is the second biggest trauma of childhood; the first is, of course, being born. Indeed, in both cases we leave a place of warmth and protection for one that is unknown. The unknown often brings fear with it. In my books I try to counteract this fear, to replace it with a positive message. I believe that children are naturally creative and eager to learn. I want to show them that learning is really both fascinating and fun."

Eric Carle has two grown-up children, a son and a daughter. He divides his time between the Florida Keys and the hills of North Carolina.

For more information about Eric Carle and his books please visit:

The Official Eric Carle web site: http://www.eric-carle.com

Eric Carle's Blog: http://www.ericcarleblog.blogspot.com

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art: http://www.carlemuseum.org

The World of Eric Carle Amazon UK page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/l/1658013031

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
6,368 global ratings
Great complement to the caterpillar.
5 Stars
Great complement to the caterpillar.
Very nice. Size is just right for little hands.I notice multiple reviews mentioning the "web" isn't pronounced (embossed?). It appears that such a feature is a part of the board-book version (which I selected).I can only assume the hardcover comes with standard print paper pages, which would not allow for the touchy-feely webbing feature.Now, off to find that chameleon!Update: now that I've read the book 2000 times in the first 8 hours of ownership, I notice that the board book version I have showcases the cat twice. Interesting indeed. I wonder what animal is missing.
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Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Sturdy and manageable
Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2023
Verified Purchase
A sturdy book - I read it to a 10-month-old. The animals are artistically drawn - introduces the sounds of various animals - a quick read before naptime or bed....
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JD
5.0 out of 5 stars She Loves Spiders!
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2013
Verified Purchase
I bought this book on recommendation from a friend, and around that same time my 18 month old daughter learned "Itsy Bitsy Spider" which is now her favorite song/rhyme. She has us sing it to her (complete with hand motions) about 10 times a day. Now she loves this book and  The Itsy Bitsy Spider  they are two of her favorite books. She brings them to me saying "Pie-durr bouht!" (Spider book) "peashj wedit!" (please read it). We love reading them before naps and bedtime since both stories end with the spiders going to sleep.

This books is really well written and illustrated. I think a lot of children's "authors" and publishing houses are very lazy about content and illustrations, thinking a cartoon of a cow which says moo moo next to it is educational enough. This is a story about several things. #1. A spider who is so busy building her web that she has no time to talk to anyone. #2. Its a story about hard work paying off, and eventually getting a lovely rest at the end of a long day. #3. It teaches young children animal sounds, as well as animal behaviors. We learn that cats like to nap, goats like to climb, and that spiders build webs to catch flies in among other things.

The repetition of simple phrases helps the child relax because its soothing, and when they get older and learn the story you can say, "But the spider didn't answer because..." and then the child can answer, "she was so busy building her web." And also ask the child to tell you the different animals sounds and things like that.

The illustrations are textured, you can feel the fly and web on each page. That's pretty cool as an added little thing that a child may enjoy. My daughter doesn't really care all that much but other kids might tracing the lines of the web, and looking for the fly on each page like a Where's Waldo.
10 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Textured pages
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2024
Verified Purchase
Love Eric Carl books. The book is textured so you can feel the webs on the pages. Super fun for kids and adults. I bought this for my niece and nephew since I enjoyed it so much as a kid and they love it too.
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rebecca sparger
5.0 out of 5 stars Children's books
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2024
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Love Eric Carle's books, nice story
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Christine Pacilio
5.0 out of 5 stars Cute and sturdy!
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2023
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My kids love this story! The "web" in the book has a fun texture to it also. Super cute!
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niki holland
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book!
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2024
Verified Purchase
Easy read, animal name/sound identification, and good message.
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Gretchen M. Gogan
5.0 out of 5 stars Really Cute Book
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2023
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This board book has Eric Carle’s signature, beautiful illustrations with a really cute story. Highly recommend for 1 - 3 years old children.
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StarryB
4.0 out of 5 stars Cute book, classic Eric Carle pictures
Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2023
Verified Purchase
Cute book! Nice images. The web design on each page is slightly raised so you can “feel” the web. I had read other reviews & someone had mentioned that it’s a little rude that the spider just ignores everyone. I hadn’t thought about that but I see their point. Now I change the wording a little when I read it & instead of saying “the spider didn’t answer” I say “the spider said No, thank you”. Not a huge deal but teaches better communication skills. This book also desensitizes my kids to spiders/ bugs so they don’t freak out when they see a fly. (Because that was a real thing in our house for awhile.)
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Brits
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books for every home
Reviewed in Canada on April 22, 2023
Verified Purchase
Interactive, the spiderweb is a sensory ( we touch it all the time), talks about various other animals, working hard, and how important spiders are( helps alleviate fears)
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Carina Conceição
5.0 out of 5 stars Respeitar o outro
Reviewed in Brazil on May 15, 2022
Verified Purchase
Esse livro é muito bom, além da gráfica, ensina sobre respeitar o outro quando não se pode algo ou está ocupado. Saber ouvir o não e dizer também. Meu filho ama esse livro.
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Lu
5.0 out of 5 stars Precioso a todos los niveles
Reviewed in Spain on April 28, 2024
Verified Purchase
Precioso en cuanto a material y dibujo, con textura y brillo. Precioso el texto, que se puede teatralizar mucho. Precioso el formato pequeño. Nos ha encantado. Desde 2 años y hasta 6 sin problemas.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 9, 2024
Verified Purchase
Beautifully illustrated story that can make us all stop and think 🤔
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Shymol
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb
Reviewed in India on December 5, 2023
Verified Purchase
For kids it's really good and the quality of paper and book was ..the best...
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