AWAKE

An arachnid’s visit awakens a young kid’s empathy.

After “a story, a snuggle, and one last sip of water,” the sleepy narrator is ready to drop off when a spider invades the bedroom. Now wide awake, the kid summons their bravery and looks for something to “smash it with.” Finding nothing, the protagonist, who has pale skin and wears straight, dark hair in a pageboy, gives much thought to how to proceed next, including invoking the lyrics of “The Itsy-Bitsy Spider.” The situation calls for strong measures, so they imagine elaborate schemes about how to thwart this eight-legged nemesis. Finally deciding on a simpler strategy, they trap the spider in an overturned glass—and have an epiphany. Peering with open eyes and open heart at their hairy captive, the kid realizes it’s neither huge nor scary, is likely frightened of them, and just wants to return home. Readers will relate to this cute tale; this kid isn’t so much afraid as bugged by the disruption of bedtime and actively takes solo charge to fix things. The energetic illustrations, collages of paint, pastels, and cut paper, are delightful and feature scenes of twinkling nighttime city vistas and artful spreads incorporating some words into the text in various colors, shapes, and typefaces. The backmatter shows how unwelcome critters may be captured and released humanely and safely. (Kind hearts, courage, and a deep breath help; naming said visitors and waving farewell are optional.) (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Kindness is always a good thing, no matter how many legs the recipient has.