When Katy Did interviews Harry Spyder on KBUG radio on her program “Up Close and Personal,” she brings listeners the latest chirp while readers learn a lot about tarantulas. Cleverly designed just like an on-air interview with “Q” and “A” designating the questions and answers, Harry relates his frightening experience when Laura Webber scoops him into an empty bottle. Naturally, Harry did what tarantulas do; he lifted his front legs, opened his fangs, and tried to fling hairs off his back at her. Drescher’s signature frenetic style and garish colors are the perfect wacky match for this inventive, fun, spider-hair–brained way to relay information about tarantulas. Two pages of backmatter provide 16 tarantula facts, e.g., there are 850 kinds of tarantulas. It’s everything Little Miss Muffet needed to know. What a great device to encourage groups or classes to mimic the idea with other insects and arachnids. (bibliography) (Picture book. 4-9)
