Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider

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.