Aaaarrgghh, Spider!: questions to ask and activities to try
Spider would make a brilliant pet, if only the family would stop screaming. Aaaarrgghh, Spider! is a funny, shout-aloud story about fitting in and giving someone a chance.
What age is it for? Aaaarrgghh, Spider! is best for ages 3–6. Good for: Fitting in, and giving someone different a chance.
Aaaarrgghh, Spider! (Lydia Monks)
- Age
- 3-6
- Best for
- Fitting in, and giving someone different a chance
Let your child shout the title every time it comes up. Afterwards, ask whether the family was being fair to Spider, and what changed their minds.
What it helps with
- Wanting to fit in
- Giving someone different a chance
- Being scared of something new
- Shouting and joining in, for lively listeners
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “Why did Spider want to be a pet?”
- “What did Spider do to show she’d be a good pet?”
- “Why did the family scream?”
- “What made the family change their minds?”
- “Is there something you were scared of that turned out OK?”
- “How can we give someone new a chance?”
5-minute activities to try together
Spider skills
List all the clever things spiders can do. Draw Spider showing off her best trick.
Give it a chance
Choose a food, game or place your child isn't sure about and try it together for one minute. Talk about how it went.
Free printables: Aaaarrgghh, Spider! worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
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If your child liked this, try
Oi Frog! (Kes Gray and Jim Field)
- Best for
- Rhyming fun, and talking about rules and speaking up
- Age
- 3-6
Elmer (David McKee)
- Best for
- Children who feel different or want to fit in
- Age
- 2-6
The Name Jar (Yangsook Choi)
- Best for
- Starting somewhere new and wanting to fit in
- Age
- 4-8
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.