Product Description

is easily one of the most recognized and quoted first lines in all of English verse. But do you have any idea how the age-old tale of the Spider and the Fly ends? Join celebrated artist Tony DiTerlizzi as he -- drawing inspiration from one of his loves, the classic Hollywood horror movies of the 1920s and 1930s -- shines a cinematic spotlight on Mary Howitt's warning, written to her own children about those who use sweet words to hide their not-so-sweet intentions.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #29083 in Books
• Published on: 2002-10-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 40 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Howitt's 1829 cautionary poem of a fly's risky entanglement with her perfidious predator springs to cinematic life amid silver-sheened black-and-white illustrations by an artist well known for his work on the Magic: The Gathering trading cards. Gouache images that seem to glow in the dark deftly recall the silent film era, craftily luring in readers even before the tale's famous opener, " `Will you walk into my parlor?' said the Spider to the Fly." An exterior view of a darkened mansion, its sole light coming from an attic window, gives way to a close-up of the same window as a petite dragonfly in flapper attire (complete with fringed dress, long gloves and flower-petal parasol) peers inside at Spider's lair: a Victorian dollhouse set amid cobwebby attic treasures. With an arsenal of Vincent Price expressions, the well-heeled Spider uses food and flattery to entice his guest into staying within his walls. Some of the text appears periodically against a framed black backdrop, … la silent movie captions, while a silvery web is progressively woven in the background. Finely detailed scenes foreshadow Fly's demise with subtle, Charles Addams-esque humor that, while it may escape younger readers, will tickle the Lemony Snicket set. (In one scene, previous insect victims, now ghosts with their feet hovering above the floor, hold up a copy of The Joy of Cooking Bugs, in a vain warning to Fly.) DiTerlizzi has spun a visual treat that young sophisticates and adults alike will enjoy. Ages 6-up.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 1-6-Most people are familiar with Howitt's poem, but DiTerlizzi's art raises this hackneyed classic to a new level. Rendered in black-and-white gouache and pencil, then reproduced in silver-and-black duotone, the paintings have a spooky quality perfectly suited to retelling this melancholy tale. Ms. Fly, with her whimsical flower umbrella and Roaring '20s attire, captures the flavor of an old-time Hollywood heroine. Her nemesis, seated on his Victorian chair, is dressed like a pasha in silk robe and slippers (six, of course) or resplendent in tails, top hat, and spats; he is clearly a dastardly fiend cloaked in splendid apparel to dazzle his victim. Wispy, transparent, ghostly shapes haunt the eerie mansion; the white print on the black pages stands out against the shadows creeping across each spread. All of these elements foreshadow the fly's untimely demise. With its tragic ending, heavy moralizing, and sophisticated artwork, this book will appeal to older children as well as to adult fans of old horror movies. This title is worth purchasing for its valuable artwork alone.
Laurie Edwards, West Shore School District, Camp Hill, PA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 2-5. There's no question about the villain in this version of Howitt's familiar 1829 poem about the vain, silly fly and the cunning spider who does her in. The smarmy visage of the spider leering at Miss Fly, who is sweetly attired in fringed flapper garb, says plenty. The melodrama is wonderful: Miss Fly--hand on forehead, hand on heart, two hands outstretched in protest (and two legs, of course, makes six)--declares, "Oh no, no . . . Kind sir, that cannot be. / I've heard what's in your pantry and I do not wish to see." Diaphanous ghosts of Spider's previous victims float nearby, but they're unable to change the fate of Miss Fly, who falls victim to Spider's flattery and her own pleasing reflection in a bottle-cap looking glass. Older children will be most likely to catch the intricacies in the monochromatic artwork--the various poses of the multiple appendages, the butterfly-wing curtains, and other delightfully creepy buggy details. Only a few will think past the story and wonder about the fact that most spiders are female. Stephanie Zvirin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

Little fly, little fly, fly away home
Some picture books instantly impress. They have that extra little spark or oomph that sets them apart from the rest. At first, the idea of a modern illustrator reworking a cautionary tale from 1829 sounds as if it's in danger of becoming dull, preachy, or didactic. Then you take a single glance at Tony DiTerlizzi's reworking of Mary Howitt's poem, "The Spider and the Fly", and you're blown away. Referencing the silent films of the 1920s and 30s, the book is meant to guide youngsters on the path of wisdom. Presumably by showing the stupidity of flies.

We all know the great opening lines of this tale. " 'Will you walk into my parlor?' said the Spider to the Fly". Here we see our villain, the gorgeously outfitted spider, bowing deeply to a lovely lady fly that bears no little resemblance to Shelly Duvall. The spider himself is replete with walking cane, spats on each of his legs, slick dandified hair, a Rhett Butler moustache, and a long top hat. The fly's initial answer (a negative) shows her in her best flapper wear. She has the parasol, the delicately gloved arms, the handbag, bobbed antennae, and flapper hat. The spider is persistent, now donning a smoking jacket and fez as various buggy ghosts of his past victims attempt to warn the little fly away. Finally, after many attempts, the spider flatters the fly with tales of her beauty. She falls for it instantly and returns when the spider calls, "Your robes are green and purple - there's a crest upon your head; Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead". She comes, he pops her in his long hat, and the next thing we know she's tied up tight in a cocoon with the shadow of a spider (cook's hat on head, knife and fork in hand) laughingly approach her. The moral of the story is, as William Bennett once said, "Not everyone who talks sweetly offers sweets".

It's not every picture book that the villain not only wins but also gets his own especial afterword. NOT written by Mary Howitt, the spider has his say. He points out that all spiders are trappers, even the beloved Charlotte from E.B. White's classic book. As we read we see the now full spider, his spatted feet on the table, delicately wiping his mouth on his napkin. A little hat sits forlornly on the plate before him. Thus ends a truly delightful book. DiTerlizzi has taken the time to include a couple facts about the life of the author Howitt, which is great. As an illustrator, the black and white scheme used for these illustrations is marvelous. These pictures were rendered beautifully and each shot is cinematic. There is little doubt, certainly, that some children will be perturbed by the pretty little fly's untimely end. I might point out, however, that there are also some children out there that are perturbed by the death of Charlotte in the aforementioned, "Charlotte's Web". Most kids, I believe, will love this book. It's noteworthy to point out that the blurbs on the back of the book come from Henry Selick (director of the "Nightmare Before Christmas") and Lance Smith (of "The Stinky Cheese Man" fame). Both of these should give you a fair idea of the kind of book this is. It's dark without ever becoming gory. Intense without ever being graphic. And, most importantly of all, it's a joy to look at. Who knew 19th century poems could be so much fun?

A dark treasure!
I remember hearing the story of the spider and the fly when I was a kid, but I didn't exactly remember how it went. I think if I had had this book back then, I would have remembered it very well. The illustrations in this book are so beautiful and delicious! Even if the story totally sucked, this book would be worth the price for the pictures alone. But the story doesn't suck! The little details thrown in with the bug ghosts trying to warn the fly...it was just so unique. This book truly is a treasure to me, my collection will benefit greatly from it.

Surprised
Actually, I picked up this book because it was in the house and I needed something to read. I figured it would be some sort of stupid thing where the fly conquers all. But NOPE. It surprised me. The art is absoulutely spectacular. The poem was delightful. I at my 14 years, was astonished to be enjoying a children's book. It's not the happy go lucky stuff that's turning children into mindless clones. It's nice to read something with a taste of grimm's and a dash of dark graphic novel.

All in all five stars. It ranks up with comics by Roman Dirge and Jhonen Vasquez. Though, if you're a child, I recommend you wait till you're older to read them.