Review by Booklist Review
Walter the spider's efforts to spin a web that can withstand breezes offer a relaxed look at five basic shapes, including triangles, squares, and circles. Hopgood's brightly colored illustrations depict expressive Walter, a range of natural settings in which he attempts to succeed in his web weaving, and the delicate lines of each ensuing web. The simple text is set in a clear, large font and includes onomatopoeia as well as easy-to-read rhythms. Walter solves his problem in a dazzling manner before the final page spread, which offers readers a chance to review and discuss the most basic attributes of the shapes he attempted to use. Hopgood's mix of bright colors and a round, scribbly Walter rendered in black contrast nicely with the spider's powder-blue silken threads. More specifically trained on the basics of geometry than Dana Meachen Rau's A Star in My Orange (2002) and with more storytelling than Lauren Coss' Let's Sort Shapes (2014), this will have an easy place in toddler and kindergarten storytimes.--Goldsmith, Francisca Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In a lighthearted introduction to five basic shapes, a big-eyed spider named Walter attempts to build a web that will withstand the gusting wind. Walter's initial attempts, which include triangular, square, and diamond-shaped webs, aren't up to the task, and even a strong-looking circular web gets blown away. Eventually, Walter weaves an enormous web that incorporates all of the shapes-a "truly wonderful web" that gleams in the moonlight. Hopgood doesn't really get into why Walter's final web is strong enough to get the job done (if anything, the implication is that size, not shape, is what matters), but the story still offers opportunities for adults to discuss shapes-and the habits of spiders-with young readers. Ages 2-4. (Aug.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-K-This engaging story introduces triangles, squares, circles, diamonds, and rectangles as a big-eyed spider's attempts to create a perfect web. Fuzzy, round Walter tries hard to improve his technique, but, alas, his webs are "wibbly-wobbly." One by one, he employs different shapes in his spinning, but none withstands the "whoosh" of the wind. Inspiration hits one night, and success comes with a glorious composition of all the shapes, in varying sizes. Even a trio of owls gape in admiration. Hopgood reinforces the lesson by offering a large example of each shape opposite its spider web representation and a conclusion with cue questions for further exploration. The art is clear and simple but graphically appealing, and Walter is an adorable and determined protagonist. VERDICT The cartoon art and gentle humor marry well with the tiny geometry lesson for a fun read-aloud and an effective concept book.-Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA © Copyright 2016. 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
In Hopgood's introductory concept book for the youngest reader, spider Walter wants a less "wibbly-wobbly" web, but each time he weaves a new shape--triangle, square, etc.--the wind blows it away. Readers will be won over by Walter's (ultimately rewarded) tenacity and by Hopgood's clean, vital art, which manages to present a cuddlesome arachnid. (c) Copyright 2017. 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.
