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Rating: 
Summary: Not A Children's Book
Review: --.--.-
This gorgeously illustrated book is only a medium favorite with the kids, but its MY favorite to read aloud.
The illustrations are intricate, gorgeous and as gently satirical and rich as the text. The children can certainly enjoy the basic story of Miss Spider's search for a suitable mate, but only adults will appreciate the tongue in cheek humor as the insect world is revealed to have many social similarities with our own. If the insect world had a "Jane Austen" it would be Miss Spider.
There is a happy ending as usual with children's stories, but there was one page of conflict that the girls (at ages 6 & 7) found "scary"- I was initially surprised, but its true that all the kids I've read this to (ages 5-8) found the big dramatic moment (Miss Spider's suitor turns out to be a little too pushy) a little intense.
The dashing (yet meek and mild) hero soon sets things right, however and the kids all enjoy the pictures of the wedding preparations. This one is not for easily frightened kids, although I originally thought it was unlikely to frighten anyone. This book is really for adults to enjoy on an entirely different level while children are entertained by the beautiful pictures and happy resolution.
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful Pictures, Tongue in Cheek Wit, for Adults too!
Review: --.--.-
This gorgeously illustrated book is only a medium favorite with the kids, but its MY favorite to read aloud.
The illustrations are intricate, gorgeous and as gently satirical and rich as the text. The children can certainly enjoy the basic story of Miss Spider's search for a suitable mate, but only adults will appreciate the tongue in cheek humor as the insect world is revealed to have many social similarities with our own. If the insect world had a "Jane Austen" it would be Miss Spider.
There is a happy ending as usual with children's stories, but there was one page of conflict that the girls (at ages 6 & 7) found "scary"- I was initially surprised, but its true that all the kids I've read this to (ages 5-8) found the big dramatic moment (Miss Spider's suitor turns out to be a little too pushy) a little intense.
The dashing (yet meek and mild) hero soon sets things right, however and the kids all enjoy the pictures of the wedding preparations. This one is not for easily frightened kids, although I originally thought it was unlikely to frighten anyone. This book is really for adults to enjoy on an entirely different level while children are entertained by the beautiful pictures and happy resolution.
Rating:
Summary: A gorgeously illustrated quirky tale of insect romance
Review: Brilliantly-colored illustrations jump from the pages of this charming book. The story is surprisingly adult, however. Miss Spider is rescued from the poisonous clutches of a blonde-coiffed arachnid lothario by her true (and a bit nerdy) love. Ages 6-9 are probably the best audience for this tomboyish little romance. In a special-interest side note: Graphic designers and lovers of computer-generated illustrations will probably want to have this particular story book in their collections
Rating:
Summary: A Charming Gem of a Picture Book
Review: Both you and your kids are in for a treat that's as charming as it is colorful with David Kirk's delightful picture book, Miss Spider's Wedding. There are so many things right with this gem of a book it's hard to know where to start with comments. Since Miss Spider's Wedding is, after all, a picture book, it's probably wholly appropriate to begin with the artwork. Oh! What I would give to see the original oils on canvas! Setting that aside, it truly seems to me as if author-illustrator David Kirk's palette knows no earthly bounds. Even a quick glance through the lavishly produced pages of Miss Spider's Wedding will tell you that much. From one page to the next a rich array of multihued greens, grays, yellows, blues...browns, reds, oranges, blacks and pinks awaits to delight the eyes of adults and kids alike. But that's not all. Mr. Kirk has also lovingly rendered a cast of wholly unique insect characters, from the charming Miss Spider herself to the dastardly Spiderus Reeves. Each has their own personality and seems to spring to life from backgrounds filled with myriad details, such as the delicate patterns found in maple tree leaves, the silky look and feel of spider webs, the writing on a quarter used as a table, and more. Hours of enjoyment await both young and old in discovering these kinds of individual details in Miss Spider's Wedding alone. Then...there's the story. And a fine love story it is! One fine day, Miss Spider meets Holley, and knows at once in her heart and soul that he's for her and she's for him. Even meddlesome but well-meaning beetle friends and an exceptionally vain villain can't break the bond of love between Miss Spider and her Holley no matter how hard they try, and soon every bug alive is invited to the wedding of the year. All of this is told in verse that's easy-to-read and understand. I highly recommend David Kirk's Miss Spider's Wedding whether you're an adult with a picture book collection of your own or an adult with kids looking for books they will love you for finding. I would also recommend you consider Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg, God Bless The Gargoyles by Dav Pilkey, Night Of The Gargoyles by Eve Bunting and all of the Harry Potter books by J. K. Rowling. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: I love the Miss Spider books!
Review: I absolutely love the miss spider books. David Kirk is so talented. Miss Spider's Wedding is my favorite. I love the story of the two spiders falling in love. It is a lesson for young children that you don't have to be popular to be loved. David Kirk use of rhyme is wonderful. I really enjoy reading his book because they flow so well. His artwork in these books is tremendous. I love his use of color. It puts me in a good mood just seeing his pictures. David Kirk has many other Miss Spider books just as good as this one. I recommend them all.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect tale for young and old of the power of true love...
Review: Longer than most of the Miss Spider books, this is a lovely tale that reinforces the value of true love - it's not about appearances, but the unique qualities that make one soul respond to another. I thought it might be a little over my two year old daughter's head, but from the first night I read it, she was clamoring to "hear it again!" The rhyming text and gorgeous illustrations make this book a treat for eyes and ears. I am seriously thinking of giving this book as a wedding ag gift to every couple I know!
Rating:
Summary: Perfect tale for young and old of the power of true love...
Review: Longer than most of the Miss Spider books, this is a lovely tale that reinforces the value of true love - it's not about appearances, but the unique qualities that make one soul respond to another. I thought it might be a little over my two year old daughter's head, but from the first night I read it, she was clamoring to "hear it again!" The rhyming text and gorgeous illustrations make this book a treat for eyes and ears. I am seriously thinking of giving this book as a wedding ag gift to every couple I know!
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful, but maybe too mature for the preschool set
Review: This book is every bit as beautiful as the other Miss Spiderbooks and I loved it. However, it is my two year old daughter's leastfavorite of the series. I think the subject matter [which I findquite beautiful and touching] is a little "mature" for her.There is also quite a bit more text in this book than the others, soshe may enjoy it more in a year or two when she has a bit more of anattention span. But, like all the other Miss Spider books, it is awonderful, fun-to-read book that Mommies and Daddies can enjoy just asmuch as their children do.
Rating:
Summary: Adult Reader Gives Three Thumbs Up
Review: This book MIGHT not be suitable for little kids. I would share it with my own, but each parent should read this book for him/herself first to make that decision, before sharing it with the little ones. Even if you think the topic is a little too sensitive for your kids at this time, I recommend holding onto it until your little ones are ready -- or just buying a copy for yoursef. Because this book is excellent in all regards. It is well written, the plot is clear and funny, and the illustrations are...well, absolutely stunning. I picked this book up for myself. Once in a while, I will sit down, and literally put my fingers on the pictures. They are works of art. I like to read sections aloud, because the rhyming structure is so pleasing to the tongue. There are very few children's books that still hold my attention. In fact, I would say that this book is a keeper for all ages. And when you decide your little one is old enough for the contents, I am sure he/she/they will delight in this superb book.
Rating:
Summary: Adult Reader Gives Three Thumbs Up
Review: This book MIGHT not be suitable for little kids. I would share it with my own, but each parent should read this book for him/herself first to make that decision, before sharing it with the little ones. Even if you think the topic is a little too sensitive for your kids at this time, I recommend holding onto it until your little ones are ready -- or just buying a copy for yoursef. Because this book is excellent in all regards. It is well written, the plot is clear and funny, and the illustrations are...well, absolutely stunning. I picked this book up for myself. Once in a while, I will sit down, and literally put my fingers on the pictures. They are works of art. I like to read sections aloud, because the rhyming structure is so pleasing to the tongue. There are very few children's books that still hold my attention. In fact, I would say that this book is a keeper for all ages. And when you decide your little one is old enough for the contents, I am sure he/she/they will delight in this superb book.
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