ITSY BITSY THE SMART SPIDER

The Itsy Bitsy spider has, at last, found some gumption. No longer one to be washed out by the rain, this savvy spinner weaves a plan. Maintaining the cadence and rhyme, what begins just like the nursery song veers away from the model right after washing the spider out. This prettily done-up little arachnid wants to figure out a way to stay dry. With ingenuity and tenacity Itsy Bitsy sets out to rectify her situation. She winds up having to get a job catching fleas (a dab of ick to delight the wee ones) for a doggy-shop clerk. While swinging around the store and offering customer service, Itsy saves all her pennies in a yellow cup until she has enough to buy her rainy-day remedy. The custard colors add flavor to the lively illustrations with amusing and decorative details. Formatted perfectly, this spirited take on a much-loved classic doesn’t diminish the original, but gives it a fresh, fanciful spin. Young readers will enjoy them both. (Picture book. 2-6)