The Spider and the Fly by: Mary Howitt
review by: Jill Brown '04
The Spider and the Fly is based on a poem by Mary Howitt that illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi brilliantly brings to life with black and white images reminiscent of early movies. The book cover is enough to draw the reader into the captivating world of the spider’s trance, but the cover itself warns there is a lesson to be learned.The poem revolves around the spider’s multiple attempts to persuade the pretty little fly to stay with him awhile: “’Sweet Creature!’ said the Spider, ‘you’re witty and you’re wise, How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!’” The witty verse bounces back and forth between the two creatures amid the large descriptive pictures. The verse and pictures are a perfect complement, for the pictures add a sense of unsettling darkness and uncertainty over the piece that would be lost if the pictures were in color. Instead, the Spider is an ominous, dark creature that blends into his surroundings, showing how a kind fly with bright wondering eyes does not fit into the Spider’s world.
When you think you have finished the story of The Spider and the Fly, you have only reached the best part. A special letter at the end of the story/poem brings the book to a whole new level. Instead of a reading a poem by Mary Howitt, the Spider takes over and writes a letter to the “Sweet Creatures” who have finished reading the book and explains his feelings about the poem. It is a hilarious ending to the poem that you will only understand if you take the time to read the poem and enjoy the illustrations first.
Although The Spider and the Fly is a children’s book, Mary Howitt herself was associated with many distinguished literary figures such as Dickens and Keats. Therefore, do not judge a book by its intended audience and do not dismiss a book just because it is in the children’s section or the poetry section of the library or bookstore. If you give a book a chance you might find an intriguing character such as the Spider who cares enough to address his audience.