Spi-Ku: A Clutter of Short Verse on Eight Legs

Gr 2-6--This collection is filled with all forms of poetry, including haiku, limerick, concrete, and free verse. Spider lovers and readers who may learn to love these eight-legged creatures will rejoice in the fun and informative facts featured throughout the text. Each spread is accompanied by illustrations that make spiders appear friendly and approachable. Readers will want to devour the pages as they search for hidden gems in rhyme or picture and will learn how spiders eat, how they weave patterns, and the truths behind common misconceptions. More than 50 spiders are represented in the 14 poems. The spiders range in size, from as small as a pencil eraser to the Goliath bird-eating spider who rarely eats birds at all. A full glossary, information about poetic form, and a spider identification list make this an excellent text for use in the classroom. The approachable and accessible verse will make adults and children want to explore the natural world and discover a clutter of spiders. VERDICT A fun collection of factual poetry to add to shelves.--Elizabeth Speer, Weatherford Coll., TX