UNO THE ONE-LEGGED SPIDER

Uno the one-legged spider is determined to take part in the big race in the Huddlestons’ graphic novel for young readers.

Every year, Uno the spider’s town of Gleewood Glen hosts multiple races for its residents. The upcoming big race is “my favorite race of the year,” he tells his mom, “mainly because I have the best chance of winning this one.” There’s just one problem: He needs a new shoe for his single foot. Unfortunately, Uno’s mom isn’t able to provide him with what he needs, because his eight-legged younger brother has worn out his footwear, and she can’t afford to shoe both of them. This puts a damper on Uno’s plans, but he maintains his optimism—until he comes home from school to discover that disaster has struck: His pet ant has eaten his one remaining shoe. Uno’s mom then suggests that he look for odd jobs around town to earn money for sneakers. He approaches local tradespeople, offering to help in their shops. He begins working at the bakery, milling flour, doing the marketing, and sweeping the floor. After he receives his payment, he moves on to the pet shop, and then the local restaurant. The shoe store is Uno’s last stop, but he finds he still doesn’t have enough to pay for his new sneaker—he’ll need to come up with a solution quickly if he wants to make it in time for the starting whistle. This graphic novel successfully creates a simple but charming world, with log-shaped school buses and Techno Termite trading cards, an inclusive place that offers opportunities to characters with different body types. Uno may only have one leg, but in his world, this doesn’t appear to be a disability—it’s just another part of his life. The stakes do feel low in the story; while the race is very important to Uno, it never seems like he won’t be able to fulfill his goal. Courtney Huddleston’s colorful illustrations are reminiscent of an animated children’s television show.

A gentle, encouraging tale of determination and difference.