2025
WISE Score
A neon-bright retelling of the classic rhyme where the spider trades the boring rain spout for a bug water slide and finds a way to include all his friends.
Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased. Screenwise is a Bookshop.org affiliate and an Amazon Associate, so if you buy a book through one of our links, we may earn a commission. Bookshop.org purchases also support independent bookstores.
If you've sung the three-line version of this song until your brain is mush, this is the upgrade you need. Jane Cabrera takes a repetitive nursery rhyme and turns it into a genuine story about a spider who just wants his non-swimming friends to join the fun.
It’s colorful, it's kind, and it’s a great way to practice the 'language comprehension' side of reading through song and repetition. It’s a staple for the 'read it again' years.
Perfect for ages 2 to 5. It hits that sweet spot where kids are mastering the rhyme but still need bright, high-contrast visuals to stay engaged.
It's a gentle, cooperative retelling of a classic rhyme. The focus on making sure friends who can't swim are included in the play is a perfect prosocial beat for toddlers.
Jane Cabrera expands the simple rhyme into a narrative about a 'bug water slide,' which adds a fun, inventive layer to a very old story.
Zero issues here. It's a vibrant picture book for preschoolers with zero scary or inappropriate content.
Excellent for the 'language comprehension' strand of the reading rope. Sing-along text builds phonological awareness, and the inclusion theme builds empathy.
Jane Cabrera has carved out a specific niche: taking the nursery rhymes you know by heart and giving them enough visual pop and narrative structure to make them tolerable for the 50th reading. This version of Itsy Bitsy Spider is part of her larger Story Time collection, and it stands out because it doesn't just stop at the water spout.
Most versions of this rhyme are just about a spider's struggle with the weather. Cabrera introduces a 'bug water slide' (the rain) and a group of friends who can't swim. It’s a clever way to introduce the concept of accessibility to a two-year-old. When the spider realizes his friends are left out, the story shifts to problem-solving.
Because this is a sing-along, it’s a massive win for phonological awareness. Kids who can predict the rhyme and the rhythm are building the foundations for decoding later on. The paintings are saturated and high-contrast, which helps younger toddlers track the action on the page while you're busy doing the finger motions. It’s a high-quality bridge between a board book and a narrative picture book.
Get a personalized guide on any topic
