A Spider on the Run Thrills Year 3 and 4 as Local Author Visits KES

Are you a ‘Spider Warrior’ or a ‘Spider Worrier’ asked local children’s author, Emma Read, as she spent the morning with Year 3 and 4 yesterday, telling them about her new book "Milton the Mighty” – a tale about Milton,  a false widow spider who discovers he’s been branded deadly and is determined to clear his name.

On her first visit to a school Emma read extracts from her book, and answered questions about being an author from ‘what’s your favourite spider?’ to ‘where did you get the idea for the book?’

Part of the morning was also spent exploring why spiders get a bad rap for being ‘creepy’ as Emma and the children examined the persuasive language typically associated with describing spiders, investigated the role spiders play in ecosystems, and admired the science behind cobwebs (did you know that spider silk is five times stronger than steel?)

By the end of the morning everyone declared themselves ‘Spider Warriors’ and all the children were looking forward to reading Emma’s book (there’s a sequel planned too, for next Spring!)

The first author visit of the new academic year, Junior School children will shortly be immersing themselves further in the world of books with each year group taking part in author events during the forthcoming Children’s Literature Festival in Bath.