"About Arachnids: A Guide for Children" by Carolyn & John Sill - (Review & Giveaway CLOSED)

About the book: This kid-friendly volume offers a first glimpse into the creepy, crawly, complex world of spiders, scorpions, mites, and ticks.
Author Cathryn Sill explains in easy-to-understand language what arachnids are, how they live, what they eat, and how they reproduce. Wildlife painter John Sill's detailed realistic illustrations reflect the diversity of the arachnid population—from the poisonous Brown Recluse Spider to the innocuous Giant Desert Hairy Scorpion—and present each in its natural habitat.
An appendix, which provides further detail on the arachnids portrayed, will inspire young readers to learn more about these fascinating, often misunderstood creatures.   Hardcover: $15.95 ISNB: 978-1561-45038-1

My thoughts:  When I think of spiders, I think back to my growing up years and the backyard garden my mother had.  It was separated from the front of the "backyard" by a fence that was nearly head high - to me.  There were bushes and vines on either side of the fence.  We lived in the hot, humid Southern state of North Carolina.  A fertile field for insects of all varieties.  The most fearsome to me was the very large "garden spider" that inhabited the gate area to Mom's flower garden.  I loved the flowers, but I was fearful of the spider!  Mother tried to tell me he would hurt me and to just brush the web aside and go on in.  Mom loved the out of doors until she died in her 90s. 

But then I didn't have a lovely picture book showing me all the various "spiders" or arachnids and how they lived and what they did and if they could harm me.  The book About Arachnids A Guide for Children is simple and very instructive.  The art work is beautiful and accurate depicting these scarey and wondrous creatures.

Carolyn and John Sill have teamed up beautifully to bring us another delightful book for children ages 3-8 teaching them to love the creatures in our wonderful World.

At the end of the book is an "Afterword" with each page/illustration presented with a short but broader statement about that particular bird or illustration.  I highly recommend these books as excellent for the home library, the school library, or for a gift from grandma.

It is a pleasure to present North Carolina Cathryn Sill, author and John Sill, artist.  North Carolina is a diverse state filled with a vast quantity and variety of wildlife.  BUY IT HERE FROM THE PUBLISHER

Cathryn Sill, a graduate of Western Carolina University, was an elementary school teacher for thirty years. She lives in North Carolina.

John Sill holds a BS in wildlife biology from North Carolina State University. Combining his knowledge of wildlife and artistic skill, John has achieved an impressive reputation as a wildlife artist and received several awards. He lives in North Carolina.  You can visit John Sill’s website here.

GIVEAWAY CLOSED:  Peachtree Publishers is offering a copy of About Arachnids to one of Chat With Vera's readers. Begins September 8 & ENDS September 22 at  8:00 p.m. EDT- USA only.  Email required for contacting winner (edit it as "myname at yahoo [dot][com]" )

1. Mandatory entry:  Visit Peachtree Publishers website & find "About Arachnids: A Guide for Children" and find 2 other titles in the Guide for Children series that appeals to you.  Leave a comment on here telling me which two titles. Leave your email so I can contact you if you are the winner.
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DISCLOSURE:  I was provided a complimentary copy of About Arachnids by Peachtree Publishers in exchange for my honest review and I was under no obligation to render a positive review.  The giveaway copy will be provided to one of Chat With Vera's readers by Peachtree Publishers.