Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Everybody has a backstory, including the Itsy Bitsy Spider. Readers meet "small for his age" Itzy on his first day of "spindergarten," when he's eager to prove there's nothing "Bitzy" about him. But Itzy is thwarted in all of his attempts at becoming a web-spinning, fly-catching spider (his obstacles include a girl eating curds and whey, and an old lady who likes to swallow critters of all sizes whole) until he discovers his older brother, Gutzy, trapped on a roof. Spider, meet waterspout. Krumwiede (the Psi Chronicles) does some passable spinning herself, creating a spider school culture with its own mantra ("Keep your eye on the fly") and values (big spiders never bring mom-packed lunches to school; they catch flies on the fly). But the story never gets beyond mild-mannered in its narrative momentum or humor. And while Pizzoli's (Number One Sam) use of color and texture is as strong as ever, his spiders look schematic and have little in common with the quirky personalities that populated his previous books. Ages 2-5. Author's agent: Molly Jaffa, Folio Literary Management. Illustrator's agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-Itzy is now old enough to attend spindergarten, but he wants to leave behind his nickname "Bitzy" before he enters the schoolhouse doors. The little spider is now 2mm taller than last year, and he has brand new shoes. Surely it's not even necessary to take his lunch; he's definitely big enough to catch it for himself. First of all, he needs to keep his "eye on the fly," never give up, and find the best place to spin a web. "The first step to spinning a web is to choose a good spot. Location, Location, Location!" Savvy readers will want to tap their prior knowledge of spiders from stories of Miss Muffet, the Old Lady who swallowed a fly, and a harrowing tale of a waterspout climb. This title includes them all, as images crafted with Photoshop, pastel paints, pencil, and ink feature Itzy's simply drawn, bespectacled cartoon figure in a series of adventures. Onomatopoeia accentuates the text in a narrative that emphasizes the youngster's own independence, perseverance, and pride in accomplishment. Itzy's fears and growing confidence are easily identifiable for young readers. A general purchase for all libraries.-Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano ISD, TX (c) Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Ready to embark on his first day of "spindergarten," young spider Itzy wants everyone to recognize how much more grown-up he is, and step one will be to lose the babyish nickname Itzy Bitzy. Unfortunately, neither Mom nor big brother Gutzy seems ready to make that transition, so Itzy sets off -- deliberately leaving raincoat and lunch (peanut butter and honeybee sandwich) behind -- to prove himself at school and catch his own lunch as the big spiders do. Bright cartoon illustrations in spring colors done in pencil, India ink, Plaka paint, and Photoshop expand the text with witty details and visual drama. Both art and story contain humor for adults as well as children, allowing for layered readings. When spindergarten class focuses on learning how to choose a good web location, Itzy finds himself in challenging situations that readers will recognize from favorite traditional nursery rhymes. "Little Miss Muffet" and "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly" are cleverly integrated into the plot until Itzy's notorious climb up the waterspout really brings things to a climax. On that trip he rescues Gutzy and manages to catch some lunch, rising above that nickname at last in this amusing take on starting school and gaining independence. julie roach (c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
This book that combines nursery rhymes and folk songs about spiders with a first-day-of-school story about not giving up offers a little something for everyone. Itzy Bitzy is not fond of his nickname. In fact, he is looking forward to his first day of spindergarten just so he can reinvent himself. But his big brother, Gutzy, isn't helping. "Only spiderlings bring lunch boxes." Determined to not be Itzy Bitzy anymore, Itzy purposefully "forgets" his lunch and his raincoat. But his lunch-catching web-spinning does not go well. A girl on a tuffet scares away the first fly he spies, an old woman swallows the second (along with Itzy!), and Itzy's interrupted while making his third web by a cry for help from the waterspout. Proving his web-making prowess in more than one way, Itzy saves the day and has lunch to boot, and in the end, he doesn't feel "one bit bitsy." Pizzoli's spiders manage to convey emotion through body posture, dot eyes and line mouths. The pencil, India ink, Plaka paint and Photoshop illustrations feature cartoon details against pastel, retro-type backgrounds. While appealing, they don't quite match the tone of the text, and it can take some close looking to make out some of the details. Readers familiar with the allusions likely won't care, though, as it's so much fun to see old favorites in new tales. Spidery good fun with a can-do message. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
