BRUCE AND THE LONG SPIDER
written and illustrated by J.C. Martin
A boy encounters a scary spider in his room and imagines solutions in this picture book from debut author/illustrator Martin.
Bruce loves to play with toys in his bedroom, but then he discovers a “long, and TERRIBLE...SPIDER” there. He can’t stand the idea of sharing the space with the creature. After initial fear, Bruce decides to look in his toy box for a way to chase the spider out. But donning the clothing of an Old West sheriff, and then a pirate, fails to budge the bug. When Bruce’s mom calls him to lunch, he decides that the arachnid will just have to wait for “Round 2.” Martin’s simple prose employs accessible vocabulary for youngsters, but the pictures do most of the storytelling. Readers will be drawn into Bruce’s imagination as he conjures a showdown at high noon, or stands off against a spider who looks like a bearded pirate. The final page shows the boy and bug in boxing gear. The depiction of White, blue-eyed Bruce’s massive blond hair emphasizes the illustrations’ cartoonish feel, and the four-eyed spider borders on creepy without being overly scary. The story ends with the phrase “to be continued,” which will inspire youngsters to guess Bruce’s next move.
Imaginative kids will feel a kinship to the protagonist of this clever, well-illustrated tale.