Jumper

May 1, 2023
Lanan asks readers to imagine what life would be like as a regal jumping spider as they learn about this creature's traits and life cycle alongside a young girl who is observing one. The child arrives at an idyllic community garden to play with friends and neighbors. She is unaware that "Jumper," a regal jumper spider, is watching from the garden fence. With Jumper's reveal, the illustrations -- lush creations in ink, watercolor, and gouache -- shift to a spider's-eye perspective: the fence posts now loom large, a huge chickadee flies menacingly close, and tall green plants are everywhere. As the girl happily explores the garden environment, she climbs, runs, and observes her surroundings through sight and sound. Each activity is then paralleled by the hungry Jumper as she moves around the garden in search of prey, and explanations of spider senses -- such as acute hearing through fine hairs, eyes that can see all around (demonstrated by an effective gatefold spread), and extraordinary jumping abilities -- are provided. In a dramatic action sequence, Jumper finally spots and captures a fly almost as big as she is. Extensive back matter includes additional information about spider anatomy and life cycles, a glossary, and tips for spider observation. Danielle J. Ford

(Copyright 2023 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from June 19, 2023
Close-up artwork and lucid text by Lanan result in an immersive exploration of a common jumping spider’s abilities and physical traits. The subject, known as Jumper, may be tiny (“as small as a bean”), but her eight eyes, tufted feet, “built-in safety line,” and ability to jump five times her body length all help her hunt for the insects she eats. An aerial view captures humans of varying skin tones enjoying a community garden in bright sunlight. There, ink, watercolor, and gouache spreads show Jumper alternately pursuing possible meals and escaping becoming prey, sensing vibrations through “elbows and knees” and detecting sound through the hairs covering her entire body. Combined with an often-question-driven narration that puts the readers in Jumper’s shoes, unconventional angles, deep shadows, and an impressive spread that visualizes the garden through the spider’s eyes add fresh perspective. Ages 4–8.

Starred review from February 15, 2023
Imagine the life of a common jumping spider! Framed as a child's efforts to understand what it might be like to be a regal jumper, the narrative explores the movements of the creature (referred to as Jumper); how she senses vibrations through her knees and elbows, hears, and sees; and her actions as she avoids predators and captures prey. There are two levels of text here, but in a reversal of what many nonfiction books do, the storyline is carried in the smaller print. The lines in larger print summarize what's been described, working like retrospective section headings. The framing story, told mainly in the ink, watercolor, and gouache illustrations, centers on a visit to a community garden by a child with braids and tan skin. What makes this particularly appealing is that the child's pictured actions---climbing, jumping, listening, looking, and finding food--mirror the spider's. Most spectacular is the magnified close-up of the spider catching her prey, a fly. Throughout, imagination has been harnessed to engage with the natural world without anthropomorphism. Two backmatter spreads provide far more detail about the anatomy and life cycle of this spider family, a glossary, helpful hints for finding and identifying spiders, an author's note, further resources, and an important plea not to kill these valuable creatures. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Readers will leap for this magnificent glimpse at a most marvelous arachnid. (Informational picture book. 4-8)

COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

October 20, 2023
Preschool-Grade 2 *Starred Review* Imagine navigating the world as a creature no bigger than a bean! The regal jumper spider, common in the southeastern U.S., does just that. Readers are introduced to Jumper the spider in a community garden and continue to tail her as she hunts for food, with an observant young girl never far away. The diminutive Jumper, covered in appealing downy fuzz, is absolutely adorable, but the story doesn't shy away from the fact that she must prey on other animals for sustenance--and that there is a danger of spiders becoming sustenance for other critters, too. She shows off her incredible physical prowess and specially tuned senses, leaping and spinning silk and "listening" through leg hairs, and a particularly clever spread compares a human's jumping capabilities to that of the spider's. The exceptional ink, watercolor, and goauche illustrations offer an impressive sense of movement and a gorgeous spider's-eye view of many of the proceedings, inviting readers to consider a totally different perspective of the world as they alternate between wide and narrow viewpoints. Excellent back matter gives even greater depth to the story with detailed descriptions of spider anatomy, super-senses, and life cycles, and it even includes tips for safely spying on nearby eight-legged critters. An exceptionally empathetic exploration of the natural world sure to inspire new arachnid allies.

COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from November 3, 2023

PreS-Gr 3-The garden is filled with all kinds of life, from tall beanstalks to the small but noteworthy backyard jumping spider. Thanks to many adaptations, Jumper can navigate a multifaceted world with ease, whether she is avoiding danger or securing a tasty meal. But life is not always as simple as one might hope, and Jumper must be constantly on her guard in order to survive. This informative picture book reads much like a documentary narrated by David Attenborough. The text is succinct, and it invites readers directly into the narrative through questions and the use of second-person pronouns. With varied sizes and styles of text, the book has a compelling visual presentation to accompany its colorful and detailed illustrations. These images include a range of colors and details, depicting the garden from both a distance and zoomed in, which helps to orient readers to the vastness of Jumper's world when they might only ever see a small piece of it themselves. Expert use of shadow and light brings Jumper's world to life, and readers will come away with a greater respect for this under-appreciated garden dweller. Extensive back matter provides older readers with even greater detail about the backyard jumping spider, including a plea to protect all garden spiders from harm. VERDICT This is an accessible and thought-provoking title that connects readers to the world of a spider through engagement and education.-Mary R. Lanni

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2023
Lanan asks readers to imagine what life would be like as a regal jumping spider as they learn about this creature's traits and life cycle alongside a young girl who is observing one. The child arrives at an idyllic community garden to play with friends and neighbors. She is unaware that "Jumper," a regal jumper spider, is watching from the garden fence. With Jumper's reveal, the illustrations -- lush creations in ink, watercolor, and gouache -- shift to a spider's-eye perspective: the fence posts now loom large, a huge chickadee flies menacingly close, and tall green plants are everywhere. As the girl happily explores the garden environment, she climbs, runs, and observes her surroundings through sight and sound. Each activity is then paralleled by the hungry Jumper as she moves around the garden in search of prey, and explanations of spider senses -- such as acute hearing through fine hairs, eyes that can see all around (demonstrated by an effective gatefold spread), and extraordinary jumping abilities -- are provided. In a dramatic action sequence, Jumper finally spots and captures a fly almost as big as she is. Extensive back matter includes additional information about spider anatomy and life cycles, a glossary, and tips for spider observation.

(Copyright 2023 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)