Spiders

Fact or fiction: You’re more likely to die from a lightning strike than a spider bite. True! These unfairly shunned arachnids (not insects!) are explored in depth in Spiders. For kids young and old, this examination of the many mysterious – and yes, sometimes scary – traits of spiders will give them a new appreciation for this mostly harmless creature. Older than the dinosaurs, the spider is shown here to be a mastermind when it comes to spinning its silk into sheets, spirals, funnels, and even purse-shaped webs.

It’s true that spiders are fierce predators – some species pounce on their prey like cats, while others eat their mates – but in reality, they don’t pose much danger to humans; that is, unless you’re bitten by a black widow, whose poison is 15 times more deadly than a rattlesnake’s! Kids craving more on spiders and their singular habits will find an exploration of spiders throughout history, including how the tarantula got its name (hint: it has to do with a popular Italian dance) and a look at the many books, movies – and at least one superhero – that have been inspired by spiders. For kids gaga about insects, this promises to be a favorite issue.