The Spider and the Fly

The best traps are sometimes our own. The Spider and the Fly is one such cautionary tale of cunning invitations and culinary twists of fate. The Spider and the Fly was originally penned by Mary Howitt in 1821 and recently interpreted by illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi of Spiderwick fame. DiTerlizzi narrates the story as a silent film with the Spider cast as a charming Rhett Butler arachnid bedecked in pinstriped trousers who seduces a doe-eyed fly in a flapper dress. At first, the Fly is suspicious of the Spider’s persuasion to step into his parlor. The Fly is aware of the Spider’s reputation yet oblivious to the futile warnings of the spider’s ghostly victims desperately making food gestures. Eventually, the Spider appeals to the fly’s vanity satiating both his appetite and arrogance resulting in a smug warning to the self-indulgent reader. DiTerlizzi’s cinematic illustrations heighten the intensity of Howitt’s noir-ish tale of suspense and morality weaving his own delightful blend of dark comedy.

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  Hardcover: 40 pages
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing
  Language: English
  ISBN-10: 0689852894