Walter's Wonderful Web

July 25, 2016
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.

June 15, 2016
A spider with no talent for making traditional spider webs teaches young children about shapes as well as perseverance.Walter's "wibbly-wobbly" webs are always blowing away in the wind; he can't seem to manage the perfect spider webs his friends weave. One day, he decides he will manage to make a web that doesn't blow away. In turn, he spins webs in the shape of a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a diamond, and a circle. All blow away. Discouraged, Walter's almost ready to give up. But then he thinks back on all the shapes he's spun and realizes what the perfect web would look like. While his ultimate web is more fantasy than a reflection of real spiders' work, it does provide good practice for young children in pointing out the various shapes that make it up. A final spread asks readers to identify the five shapes and count their sides. Hopgood's spider is a delightful black scribbled ball with eight legs, tall oval eyes, and a simple upturned-line mouth. Frustratingly, though, readers will not be able to point to any reason as to why the shaped webs keep blowing away and why the marvelous final web will be any different. Not the strongest choice in terms of either shape learning or reflecting nature; still, this may get readers outside in search of webs. (Picture book. 2-4)

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July 1, 2016

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

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