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I'm not familiar with Robyn Wall's work - she's written a board book series, My Cool Family, and a few short stories and this is her first picture book. However, I am a big fan of A. N. Kang's adorably cute cartoons (my favorite will always be Papillon the Very Fluffy Kitty) so I snapped this book up right away, especially when I realized it featured spiders!
Kiara, a sweet little cartoon spider with a leaf hat and big red glasses, is used to making webs to catch food. Then one day, she sees an amazing web, strung between trees, a masterpiece of angles and design. Inspired, Kiara begins trying new things with her webs. But each time she almost figures it out, or nearly gets it right, someone - a fluffy squirrel, a big stomping foot - ruins everything. "Hey! I worked hard on that!" she yells, feeling more depressed and discouraged each time her work is ruined.
But when she meets Orb, a four-eyed weaver with a bushy mustache and red beret, and the creator of her original inspiration, she tries again and together they create - and complete - something amazing.
Until Orb gets hungry. Kiara is angry, hurt, and ready to give up forever when she accidentally messes up someone else's work and gets a second dose of perspective about art and creation.
Kang's art puts Kiara and her creative process front and center, with increasingly elaborate and imaginative webs, ending up with creations that look similar to crewel work with colors and thick, textured lines.
Verdict: Younger kids can enjoy the cute artwork, repeated refrain, and shared frustration of having to try again and again. Older listeners can discuss what Kiara learns about creativity, perfectionism, and letting a project go to create something new. This would be an especially helpful book for caregivers struggling with kids who want to keep every single thing they make!
ISBN: 9781665938723; Reinforced/Picture book on Baker & Taylor for $15.19
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