Spiders are a great topic to explore–in the fall or anytime! While spiders often make us feel uneasy or nervous, they are very beneficial creatures. The more children (and adults) know about spiders, the more they will understand the many benefits that spiders provide. This list of both nonfiction and fiction books will spin up some fun learning for your preschoolers.
Books About Spiders for Pre-K
Aaaarrgghh! Spider!, Lydia Monks
A spider tries to join a family to become the new family pet.
About Arachnids, Catherine Sill
Includes characteristics of spiders and other arachnids.
Anansi the Spider, George McDermott
A traditional tale from the Ashanti.
Are You a Spider?, Judy Allen
Nonfiction book about spiders and spiderwebs.
Be Nice to Spiders, Margaret Bloy Graham
In this classic, Helen the spider keeps the zoo free from flies.
Bear’s Scare, Jacob Grant
Bear keeps his house neat and tidy. One day he finds a spider web, and that’s not neat and tidy. He goes on a search throughout the house for the spider who made it.
The Eensy Weensy Spider, Mary Ann Hoberman
This book begins with the familiar fingerplay rhyme. But the spider goes several new places. (The book can be read or sung!)
The Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks Out! Big Time!, Troy Cummings
When the rain washes Eensy out of the waterspout, she freaks out and decides not to climb anymore. Will her friend help her start climbing again?
Frank the Seven-Legged Spider, Michaele Razi
Frank loves being a spider and making webs. One morning he wakes up, and he’s missing a leg! Is he still a spider? Can he find his leg?
Pete the Cat and the Itsy Bitsy Spider, James Dean
Pete and his friends encourage the spider to keep trying to climb the waterspout.
Seaver the Weaver, Paul Czajak
Seaver doesn’t want to make webs that look like all the other spiders’ webs. He begins to weave different shapes.
A Spider Named Itsy, Steve Light
Ever wonder why Itsy climbed the waterspout? This book tells why.
Preschool Books About Spiders
Spider on the Floor, Raffi
A book to sing or read. The spider on the floor slowly moves up a lady’s body!
Spiders, Gail Gibbons
Nonfiction book with illustrations; for older preschoolers and kindergartners.
Spiders and Their Webs, Linda Tagliaferro
Nonfiction book with spider photographs and facts.
Spiders are Not Insects, Allan Fowler
Nonfiction book with photographs that contrasts spiders and insects.
Spinning Spiders, Melvin Berger
Nonfiction book about how spiders live, mentioning several different types of spiders.
Super Spiders, Jason Blake
More fun facts and photographs of spiders.
There’s a Spider in This Book, Claire Freedman
Eric the spider hides in the house of Grandma and Fluffy. Can you find him?
Very Busy Spider, Eric Carle
Animals on the farm ask the spider to do different things with them, but she’s busy spinning her web.
Walter’s Wonderful Web, Tim Hopgood
Walters wobbly webs always blow away in the wind. Walter tries different shapes to build a better web.
Weaving Wonders, Nancy Loewen
Nonfiction book that covers the life cycle and behavior of spiders.
More Book Lists for Preschoolers
