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A Spider Named Itsy

by Steve Light

Subject
Nursery Rhymes
Age
3-5 years
Format
Hardcover
Pages
32
Publisher
Candlewick Press
Size
23.4 cm × 27.2 cm
ISBN
9781536225297
Why did Itsy Bitsy make his famous journey? With a dose of warmth and whimsy, Steve Light’s remarkable, intricate artwork spins a backstory of unexpected friendship.

Itsy Bitsy sits at home,
drinking tea, all alone . . .

Everyone knows the rhyme “The Itsy Bitsy Spider.” We know about the climb up the waterspout, the washout, the return of the sun, and the determined climb back up the spout—again. Generations of children have sung this beloved verse and mastered its accompanying twisty finger play. But what sent the tiny spider on his upward trek to begin with? What happened along the way—and where is Itsy now? Steve Light—with his meticulously rendered, highly detailed pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations and an endearing cast of insect characters—riffs on a classic as he offers some surprising answers, ushering us into a charming tale of perseverance, kindness, and community. And it all starts when a branch falls from a tree . . .

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What reviewers said

This message of picking oneself up after disappointment is delivered playfully, making it appropriately effective for young readers, and the final double-page spread illustration lightly delivers the affirmative ending message: Having friends and helping each other are happier ways to live. . . . A heartwarming take on the familiar nursery rhyme.
Kirkus Reviews
A comically elegant, unalloyed treat.
Publishers Weekly
This jubilant rhyming picture book expands the famous nursery rhyme into a celebration of resilience and teamwork. . . . By tale’s end, Itsy Bitsy has helped rescue the endangered, and he hosts a tea party for his new friends. The final dedication is “for those who have been ‘washed out’ and had the courage to climb up again.” Fun and inspiring.
Booklist
Light’s detailed watercolor and pen-and-ink pictures show dapper Itsy with four legs for arms and four more with shoes, and he gives lots of opportunities for predicting the next thing to happen through the pictures. . . . Itsy and his new friends begin again in the story of resilience, determination, and friendship. Children will surely sing along with Itsy and his friends on the final page.
The Horn Book
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© 2026 Peekabooks Inc. All Rights Reserved.