The 6 Best Children’s Books About Spiders for Dispelling Fears

Written by Angie Menjivar
Updated: April 14, 2023
© iStock.com/Thien Woei Jiing

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You’ve had a moment when a spider startles you — maybe you walked through a web in the dark or a spider found its way onto your pillow. Children learn what to be afraid of from what their parents and peers model. Some children welcome spiders onto their hands while others scream and sprint in the other direction. No matter how your child responds to spiders, it’s important they receive some education about them. For those that love the little eight-legged critters, it’s important they learn that though most spiders are harmless, there are some that are venomous. They should understand the potential danger that exists, particularly if you and your family live in an area where venomous spiders thrive.

In the list below, we highlight a book that lists tons of facts for spider-obsessed kiddos. It contains photographs of different spider species and keeps kids entertained for hours. If your child is the type to run at the sight of one, don’t worry. There are books that offer a gentle approach with illustrations and a sweet story to ease kids into the world of spiders. Some books use humor as a way to ease the tension some children feel at the sight or even thought of spiders. We also include an activity book for interactive fun and a spider book that uses the webs spiders weave to introduce children to some basic shapes!

  1. All Things Spiders For Kids: Filled With Plenty of Facts, Photos, and Fun to Learn all About Spiders
    • 76 pages.
    • Recommended for children ages 6 and older.
    • Filled with photographs of spiders.
    Check Amazon
  2. I'm Trying to Love Spiders
    • 40 pages.
    • Customers recommend this book for children ages 3 through 7.
    • Written to help children see arachnids in a whole new light.
    Check Amazon
  3. Spiders (New & Updated Edition)
    • New & updated edition
    • Highly rated
    • Imformative guide
    • Colorful illustrations
    Check Amazon
  4. Spider! (Shout Fear Out)
    • 28 pages.
    • Recommended for children ages 3 through 7.
    • Part of the Shout Fear Out series of children's books.
    Check Amazon
  5. Learning About Spiders: With 12 Stickers (Dover Little Activity Books)
    • 16 pages.
    • Recommended for children ages 6 through 12.
    • Covers 12 different species of spiders.
    Check Amazon
  6. Walter's Wonderful Web: A First Book About Shapes
    • 32 pages.
    • Recommended for children ages 2 through 4.
    • A story that introduces triangles, squares, circles, diamonds, and rectangles.
    Check Amazon

A-Z-Animals’ Top Picks for Children’s Books About Spiders

1. Best Overall: All Things Spiders for Kids by Animal Reads

The best overall book about spiders is All Things Spiders for Kids. This book contains tons of different spider photos, facts, and topics that cover everything from their history to their characteristics. If there is a kiddo in your life who loves spiders already, this book can make a wonderful addition to their library. Some spiders are pretty creepy-looking, but others are remarkably cute. No matter what type of spider it is, there is always something fascinating to learn. This book approaches spider facts in a fun way and is perfect for children six years old and up.

The book is super colorful and packed with real images of different spiders. The goal of this book is to blend fun with education to help children grasp new concepts relating to spiders. Some of what your kids learn include the evolution of spiders, their diets, and their lifecycles. The text is easy to follow and easy to understand even for younger readers. This is a great book to help your spider-obsessed kiddo fall in love with reading while learning everything there is to know about these small eight-legged ninjas.

This title is available in Kindle, paperback (large print), and hardcover (large print) formats.

Customers rate this book five out of five stars. One woman says that she is not a fan of spiders herself but admits that this is a fantastic book to pick up if you want to learn more about them. She says it contains a lot of interesting facts with some really clear, up-close photos of different spiders. Despite her trepidation with spiders, she really enjoyed reading this book along with her daughter. Her daughter is a real spider lover, and she appreciates that the author wrote the book in a way that intrigues even those who wouldn’t normally pick up a book about spiders.

Pros and Cons of All Things Spiders for Kids by Animal Reads

ProsCons
This book is jam-packed with spider photos, facts, history, and characteristics.None
It’s ideal for kids six years old and up who love spiders.
This book blends fun with education to help children learn new information about spiders, including their evolution, diets, and lifecycles.
The text is easy to follow and understand, even for younger readers.
Best Overall
All Things Spiders For Kids: Filled With Plenty of Facts, Photos, and Fun to Learn all About Spiders
  • 76 pages.
  • Recommended for children ages 6 and older.
  • Filled with photographs of spiders.
Check Amazon

2. Best for Facts and Laughs: I’m Trying to Love Spiders by Bethany Barton

This picture book is a ton of fun. It aims to help young readers look at arachnids in a completely different way. Instead of approaching them with fear, the book invites children to explore all of the fascinating features of spiders. For example, their eight bright eyes and the unbelievable quantity of insects a spider can eat in a year. We’re talking 75 pounds worth of bugs! Your kiddo may also be relieved to find out that they’re far more likely to be struck by lightning than to be fatally bitten by a spider.

The book, which is available in Kindle, hardcover picture book, and paperback picture book formats, incorporates humor on every page, and it is a Children’s Choice Book Award Winner. The author starts with a simple yet official spider test. The question is “What do you do when you see a spider?” You have a few options. You can say that a), you want to lay a big kiss on it, b) you smile but back away slowly, c) you grab the closest object and let it fly, or d) you run away screaming. For any child who chooses b, c, or d, this book is perfect to help them look at spiders in a whole new light.

Customers rate this book 4.8 out of five stars. They appreciate the humor as much as their kids do. One customer says that she completely fell in love with this book. It had her laughing out loud along with her kids. Another customer says that this book teaches the knowledge children need to get over their fear of spiders. For one customer, this was a solution to his daughter’s fear. He purchased this book hoping to introduce her to arachnids in a different way, but she wouldn’t touch the book at first. She did, however, let him read it to her. Now, when she sees a spider, she lets him know calmly instead of completely freaking out. He calls that a big win.

A handful of reviewers were upset because the book “makes a joke of killing/harming things that scare us.”

Pros and Cons of I’m Trying to Love Spiders by Bethany Barton

ProsCons
This picture book aims to help kids explore spiders’ fascinating characteristics instead of approaching them with fear.A handful of reviewers were upset because the book “makes a joke of killing/harming things that scare us.”
It’s available in Kindle, hardcover picture book, and paperback picture book formats and it is a Children’s Choice Book Award Winner.
The book uses humor throughout such as a simple “spider test”: “What do you do when you see a spider?” You can say that a), you want to lay a big kiss on it, b) you smile but back away slowly, c) you grab the closest object and let it fly, or d) you run away screaming.
After reading this book, it’s likely that your child will see spiders in an entirely new light.
Best for Facts and Laughs
I'm Trying to Love Spiders
  • 40 pages.
  • Customers recommend this book for children ages 3 through 7.
  • Written to help children see arachnids in a whole new light.
Check Amazon

3. Best for Science-Minded Kiddos: Spiders (New & Updated Edition) by Gail Gibbons

If you have the kind of child who needs to understand all the ins and outs of any topic, this book is the best for them. He talks about all of the different reasons spiders are fascinating from the way they weave their webs to how they dig burrows and how they can float on strands of silk. The book touches on large tarantulas and baby spiderlings, teaching children that most spiders are completely harmless and even helpful! The author, Gail Gibbons, is a non-fiction master who goes on to explain that there are over 30,000 different kinds of spiders throughout the world. Some are a simple gray color and some display a variety of different colors.

The book highlights several different species along with their different behaviors. Plus, your kiddo gets to follow along with very clear, labeled illustrations. They will also learn some important vocabulary along the way. This book is vetted by an entomologist and includes some revised illustrations and the most up-to-date arachnid science. It also has some trivia questions. It explains the difference between insects and spiders. This is a great introductory book that focuses on real-world spiders. It’s perfect for children between the ages of three and seven.

It’s available in the following format: Kindle, hardcover picture book, and paperback picture book.

Customers rate this book 4.8 out of five stars. They find it fantastic and informative. Some customers feel that this should be required reading along with Gail Gibbons’ other books. They teach kids so much in a very accessible way. One customer appreciates that the book is illustrated instead of filled with pictures of actual spiders because it helps her child get acquainted with spiders without feeling overwhelmed by images of real ones. She plans to purchase another book with photographs of spiders once her kiddo feels more comfortable.

There were only two negative reviews for this book. One said that it’s not as interesting as the author’s other books. Another said that it’s “just not good enough.”

Pros and Cons of Spiders (New & Updated Edition) by Gail Gibbons

ProsCons
This book is geared towards kids ages three to seven who are interested in the details of every topic.One reviewer said that it’s not as interesting as the author’s other books.
The book teaches kids that most spiders are completely harmless and even helpful.Another reviewer said that it’s “just not good enough.”
Gibbons is an excellent non-fiction writer.
Your child will learn key vocabulary as they read this book.
The book was vetted by an entomologist.
It includes some trivia questions.
This book explains the difference between insects and spiders.
It’s available in the following format: Kindle, hardcover picture book, and paperback picture book.
Most Informative
Spiders (New & Updated Edition)
  • New & updated edition
  • Highly rated
  • Imformative guide
  • Colorful illustrations
Check Amazon

4. Best Fear-Dispelling: Spider! (Shout Fear Out) by Carrie Hyatt (Author), Tatiana Kamshilina (Illustrator)

It’s so easy for children and adults alike to be terrified of spiders. This book is a great pick if you have a kid three to seven years old in your life that has this fear. This story is meant to be fun and interactive. It’s narrated by a silly librarian who invites children to shout on behalf of a boy in the story who is totally paralyzed by fear. He becomes speechless when he notices a spider. The goal of this book is to help children understand that fear can sometimes make your body do scary things. You may not be able to speak, and you may not be able to move. Although a healthy fear of spiders is important because some of them can be venomous, it’s important not to let fear control your life. Since the book encourages children to shout “Spider!” it empowers them to let out their fear by using their voices. It also encourages them to remember what they’ve learned about the many harmless spiders in the world.

Customers rate this book, which is available in Kindle, hardcover, and paperback, 4.2 out of five stars. They appreciate that this book gives a different perspective on spiders. One customer says she’s always felt that many spiders are just misunderstood. She loves that this book teaches children to understand spiders the way they do any other forms of wildlife. It’s written in a way that helps to dispel the fear children have toward spiders while also encouraging them to show them respect. Ultimately, it’s true that some of them really can be dangerous. The goal is to admire them from a distance, appreciate their contributions, and refrain from killing them out of fear.

Several reviewers said that the book didn’t achieve its goal of teaching kids why they shouldn’t fear spiders.

Pros and Cons of Spider! (Shout Fear Out) by Carrie Hyatt (Author), Tatiana Kamshilina (Illustrator)

ProsCons
If you have a child who’s three to seven years old and afraid of spiders, this book is for you.Several reviewers said that the book didn’t achieve its goal of teaching kids why they shouldn’t fear spiders.
It’s narrated by a silly librarian who invites kids to shout on behalf of a boy who is paralyzed by fear when he sees a spider.
The goal of the book is to help kids understand that fear can make our bodies do scary things like not be able to shout.
The book also teaches children that it’s ok to have a healthy fear of spiders since some are venomous, but that they can’t let fear control their life.
Best Fear-Dispelling
Spider! (Shout Fear Out)
  • 28 pages.
  • Recommended for children ages 3 through 7.
  • Part of the Shout Fear Out series of children's books.
Check Amazon

5. Best Activity Book: Learning About Spiders: With 12 Stickers by Jan Sovak

We had to include an activity book in this list. Plus, this paperback book with stickers is super budget-friendly. In this book, your child meets 12 different species of spiders including the spitting spider, daddy long legs, the Apache jumper, the pyramid orb weaver, the goliath tarantula, and a black widow. Every page is really easy to read, and it teaches you a little bit about each spider. Your kiddo learns about its physical characteristics and its habits. On each page, there’s also a blank spot where your child can place the corresponding sticker. This is a great way for kids ages eight to 12 to learn about these fascinating animals. Plus, it can be a handy pocket guide for kids to use at home or at school.

Customers rate this book 4.7 out of five stars. They say it’s tiny yet wildly informative. Kids love using the included stickers as they go through each page. It’s appropriate for toddler-age children up to kids around eight years old. One grandfather purchased this for his grandson because he has always shown an interest in spiders and different bugs. This activity book is just one of many that he purchased for him. He noticed that he enjoyed the book thoroughly and had a lot of fun looking at all the different spider stickers.

The only negative review said that the book was good, but very small.

Pros and Cons of Learning About Spiders: With 12 Stickers by Jan Sovak

ProsCons
This affordable paperback includes stickers.The only negative review said that the book was good, but very small.
Your child will meet 12 different species of spiders.
The pages are easy to read and you’re child will learn something about each spider’s physical characteristics and habits and be able to add the corresponding sticker on the blank spot provided.
It’s intended for kids ages eight through 12.
Best Activity Book
Learning About Spiders: With 12 Stickers (Dover Little Activity Books)
  • 16 pages.
  • Recommended for children ages 6 through 12.
  • Covers 12 different species of spiders.
Check Amazon

6. Best for Teaching Shapes: Walter’s Wonderful Web by Tim Hopgood

A spider book that teaches about shapes? This one is cool! It’s perfect for children between two and four years old. It’s all about a determined spider named Walter. He is on a quest to create the sturdiest web because the wind gets very blustery. Each web he weaves has special shapes like triangles, circles, and squares. He has to try making the strongest web because the first ones he makes are still quite wobbly. This book is simple enough for toddlers to follow and contains vibrant illustrations of Walter the spider. Kids get to learn about shapes while hanging out with Walter, a sweet and steadfast spider.

Customers rate this book 4.9 out of five stars. It’s available as a board book, paperback, hardcover, and in Kindle formats. They love that it’s well-written and educational. For one customer who works as a teacher, this book helped tremendously with her shapes lesson. One customer just says that he wishes it had more shapes. However, he understands that the book is focused on basic shapes that are easy to learn. Another customer loves that on the last page, there are several questions so that children can point to the shapes and learn about them. Overall, it’s described as cute, sturdy, and bright.

Pros and Cons of Walter’s Wonderful Web by Tim Hopgood

ProsCons
This book for kids between two and four years old is about a spider named Walter who is trying to build the sturdiest web.None
He weaves a variety of shapes, such as triangles, circles, and squares in his quest to create the strongest web.
Your toddler will easily learn shapes by following along as you read this simple book, which contains vibrant illustrations.
Best for Teaching Shapes
Walter's Wonderful Web: A First Book About Shapes
  • 32 pages.
  • Recommended for children ages 2 through 4.
  • A story that introduces triangles, squares, circles, diamonds, and rectangles.
Check Amazon

Criteria: What to Look for in Children’s Books About Spiders

Kids can be broken down into two broad categories. Those that love spiders and those that hate spiders. There are probably some stragglers right in the middle who don’t mind spiders — they’re neither obsessed with them nor scared of them. First, figure out where your kiddo stands. Then, choose a book that either helps children deal with their fear of spiders or delves even deeper into spider land! A child who already knows and appreciates these eight-legged creatures can enjoy a non-fiction book with lots of fun facts. A child that shrieks at the sight of a spider may need a gentler introduction. Luckily, there are both types of books for children to explore. Start with the gentlest book for kids who are afraid and go at their pace as they learn that spiders are mostly harmless and sometimes even helpful creatures!

There are also books meant for kids of different ages. A baby or toddler won’t be able to read along just yet but can certainly enjoy fun illustrations and maybe even real photographs, depending on their temperament. Kiddos who have just started reading need books with simple words and short sentences alongside fun images. Older children can handle more complex text and more detailed facts about spiders. You also have board books, paperbacks, hardcovers, and Kindle versions to explore! Figure out what your child prefers (and which is the most durable for very young readers) and pick that one! Once you’ve purchased a book for a child in your life, you learn their preferences and can pick another book that meets those preferences!

About the Author

Angie Menjivar is a writer at A-Z-Animals primarily covering pets, wildlife, and the human spirit. She has 14 years of experience, holds a Bachelor's degree in psychology, and continues her studies into human behavior, working as a copywriter in the mental health space. She resides in North Carolina, where she's fallen in love with thunderstorms and uses them as an excuse to get extra cuddles from her three cats.

The 6 Best Children’s Books About Spiders for Dispelling Fears FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What are five interesting facts about spiders?

All spiders can produce silk! They’re also nearsighted. Female spiders can lay thousands of eggs at once and jumping spiders can reach heights over 40X their own length. Spiders eat pounds and pounds of bugs every year!

Are spiders scared of humans?

They’re not scared in the same way some humans are scared of spiders. They have a natural survival instinct that tells them to run and hide because humans are giants to them. They need to protect themselves. There are some spiders, however, that interact with humans, and that some even keep as pets!

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.