Most people cringe at the sight or thought of a spider. If your idea of a spider is less than pleasant, check out our book list to find out about how helpful spiders are and read stories about friendly spiders. Whether you’re looking for spider books for preschoolers during a preschool spider theme week, spider books for kindergarten Halloween themes, or just some fiction and nonfiction books about spiders to ready any time with kids interested in these creepy crawly creatures, you’ll find tons of great spider book ideas in this list.
GET A FULL WEEK OF SPIDER THEME ACTIVITIES IN OUR PRINTABLE PRESCHOOL LESSON PLANS.
Books About Spiders
Fiction Spider Books
Aaaarrgghh! Spider! By Lydia Monks
Aaaarrgghh! Spider! Is a sweet story of a spider that just wants to be the perfect pet for a family. No matter how hard she tries, the family just puts her outside. The best part of the story is when Spider builds her webs which light up the pages. This is a great story that reminds us to not judge, even spiders.
Diary of a Spider by Doreen Cronin
Diary of a Spider tells the story of a spider that is not very different from you and me. He goes to school, spends time with family, and spins webs; well maybe he is a little different. I enjoy stories that give readers a new perspective on things, and this book is a fun look at a spider’s world through the eyes of a young spider.
The Eensy Weensy Spider by Mary Ann Hoberman
This story starts with the classic song and then extends the eensy weensy spider’s adventure. It is available in both board book and paperback. After reading, create your own spider sticky wall to reenact the story.
The Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks Out! By Troy Cummings
We have all heard the nursery rhyme of the Eensy Weensy Spider but you have never heard the story from the spider’s point of view. What if the spider is afraid and doesn’t want to go back up the spout? Little Bit and I enjoyed reading this book and watching Eensy Weensy Spider overcome her fear with the help of her friend.
Urgency Emergency!: Itsy Bitsy Spider by Dosh Archer
Itsy Bitsy Spider tells us what happens after the spider went down the water spout and was injured. Little Miss Muffet takes it to the hospital where the doctor and nurse work to fix her right up.
The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle
The Very Busy Spider is busy spinning her web and cannot play with the farm animals. Kids will love following Spider’s web with their finger through the pages as she works her magic. At the bottom of the page you can find a fun spider activity for this book from Rainy Day Mum.
Anansi the Spider by Gerald McDermott
Anansi the Spider is a tale from the Ashanti of how Anansi’s sons work together to save him when he is lost. After being rescued Anansi can’t decide which son to give the moon to, instead it is placed in the sky for everyone to see.
Sophie’s Masterpiece by Eileen Spinelli
Sophie’s Masterpiece is a beautiful story of an artistic spider who weaves amazing webs. Throughout her life she searches for the perfect place to work and share her work. I loved this story and the beautiful illustrations that show the amazing webs Sophie makes.
Spider on the Floor by Raffi
Spider on the Floor is a fun song kids love to sing and act out. This book version is great to read along while singing together.
I’m Trying to Love Spiders by Bethany Barton
If your kids are a little scaried of spiders, reading I’m Trying to Love Spiders may be just the trick to change their mind!
Walter’s Wonderful Web by Tim Hopgood
Walter’s Wonderful Web: A First Book About Shapes tells the fascinating story of Walter the Spider and how he creates amazing things in his web.
Pete the Cat and the Itsy Bitsy Spider by James Dean
Pete the Cat and the Itsy Bitsy Spider combines the classic cat Pete with the beloved childhood classic the Itsy Bitsy Spider.
Be Nice to Spiders by Margaret Bloy Graham
Be Nice to Spiders tells the story of Billy’s pet spider and how spiders play an important role in our lives.
Please Don’t Step On Us by Casey Crayne
Please Don’t Step On Us tells the story of a spider who really wants nothing more than to not get stepped on.
Non-fiction Spider Books
Spiders by Aaron Carr
Spiders is a great book for little ones who want to learn about spiders. Each page includes a close up photograph and a few basic facts about spiders. If you are looking for an introductory book to spiders this is a great book to read.
Spiders and Their Webs by Linda Taglianferro
Spiders and Their Webs is a good read for little ones that are curious about spiders. The text gives information on webs, catching insects, eggs and their homes. The photographs give a close up view of spiders which your kids will love and you might not.
Are You a Spider? By Judy Allen
Are You a Spider? explains what your life would be like if you were a spider. The text is simple and easy to understand and the illustrations are full of details and action.
Weaving Wonders by Nancy Loewen
Weaving Wonders is full of information about spiders you can find in your backyard. Each page includes cute illustrations and fact jars. Curious explorers will enjoy this book as they learn about spiders and can then go hunt for them in the backyard.
Spinning Spiders by Melvin Berger
Spinning Spiders shows readers all the ways spiders can spin webs and how they use their webs. The book includes information on different types of spiders along with illustrations that explain why webs are so important for spiders.
Spiders by Nic Bishop
Older readers will enjoy reading Spiders. The books include facts about different types of spiders and colorful photographs of each spider.
Spiders by Gail Gibbons
Spiders is another great book by Gail Gibbons that includes facts and illustrations that help readers better understand the world of spiders. If you are a fan of Gail Gibbons’ other books make sure to check out this one.
National Geographic Readers: Spiders by Laura Marsh
The easy to read text and amazing pictures makes National Geographic Readers: Spiders a great scientific read for your kids.
Spider Activities to Go Along with all of these Great Spider Books
GET A FULL WEEK OF SPIDER THEME ACTIVITIES
Save time and get right to the playful learning with our printable lesson plan sets. Each set includes over 30 playful learning activities related to the theme, and we’ve provided different versions for home preschool families and classroom teachers so all activities are geared directly toward your needs.
The full 228-page Spider Theme Lesson Plan Pack also includes:
- Spider Fact Sheet
- Do You Like Spiders? Class Graph Pieces
- The Itsy Bitsy Spider Pocket Chart Pieces and Sequencing Cards (in color and b/w)
- Spider Letter Building Mats (for letters S, P, I, D, E, R)
- Spider Roll and Add Game
- Spider Web Counting Mats 1-20, plus a blank version (in color and b/w)
- 0-35 Spider Numbers
- Spider Pattern Task Cards (in color and b/w)
- “My Spider Book” Counting Book (4 versions to differentiate, in color and b/w)
- Spider Babies Fine Motor Mat (in color and b/w)
- Real Spider Photos
- My Spider Science Journal
GET YOUR LESSON PLANS
Also available on Teachers Pay Teachers.
After reading some of the books on this list, extend the learning and fun with these spider activities for kids.
We have several spider activities on Fantastic Fun and Learning that would go along great with these books. You’ll find spider crafts, art projects, and a fun play dough invitation, too.
I Heart Crafty Things has a fun and easy paper plate spider craft you can make with your little one.
Kinder By Kim has a list of spider and bat activities that you can use at home or in the classroom. The bat activities can also be used with our bat book list.
Rainy Day Mum created a great spider web activity that goes with the Very Busy Spider book. This activity can keep your kids very busy as well.
Hands on as We Grow has a fun and sticky web activity that your kids will love.
Teach Preschool features several spider activities they use for spider day.
More Resources for Little Book Lovers
The best way to encourage a love of reading is to provide kids with many opportunities to engage with a wide variety of books that are of interest to them. That’s why we share so many books lists on Fantastic Fun and Learning. We want to make it easy for you to find great books your kids will love. Over the years we’ve also discovered some helpful tools for connecting kids and books.
Digital libraries are one very handy way to do this. Epic! is one of our favorite online libraries. It’s full of over 25,000 books, learning videos, quizzes and more for kids 12 and under…and it’s free for educators. Click here to learn more and sign up.
Book Boxes are another fun way to get kids excited about reading. What kid doesn’t love to get a special delivery in the mail?! The crew over at Bookroo finds the best little known books that you won’t already have in your library, and they send them to you each month. Take a peak inside a Bookroo Box here.
Book-Based Activities are also a lot of fun for kids. Jodie over at Growing Book by Book has saved us all a ton of time and created a full year of Book-Based Activity Calendars so that you can extend the fun with a special book each week.
