Just in time for Halloween and Children’s Book Week (8-14 November), a new eight-legged arachnid called Spid the Spider hits the scene. Spid is a hard-working spider who is light on cash, and who wants to better himself and to marry his girlfriend Bid. He lives in a house on the hill in Spider Webdon. He lives on his own and works very hard for very little pay. Which isn’t helpful when you’re trying to improve your prospects.

When Spid tries to better himself and … be good … well … let’s just say he sometimes gets a bit carried away. That’s when Bid has to put him straight. She’s clever at that.

Spid the Spider books and songs are fun and inspiring for children 6-8 years old

With unusual prose, they are fun to narrate and read and present lots of opportunities for dramatic licence. So this helps mums and dads engage and interact with their children. With beautiful illustrations by Melissa Shephard they also help children understand the stories and learn to read. They also teach valuable life lessons such as determination and a 'growth mindset'.

Spid also writes and sings songs. So unusually the books also include songs and QR codes that take you to a website to hear the songs and watch animations of the songs.

As author, John Eaton says, “I am just fascinated with words and sentences. If I hear something funny in the way sentences are made up, or get an idea in my head, I have to write it down. I hope children will engage with Spid the Spider through his stories and songs. Writing and singing songs is part of Spid’s character and music adds an extra dimension”. “I also feel that there is a gap in the market for books that entertain and inspire mums, dads and children alike!”

Spid the Spider Has a Day Off.

Spid doesn’t know how to spend his day off – until, after a big breakfast, he has an idea. It’s perfect. At least it should have been. But as so often happens for Spid, things don’t go quite as he planned…

RRP: £7.99
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-9996698-5-0
Also available in an audiobook and e-book formats

Get in touch to review a copy of the book at spid@spidthespider.com

The books feature Spid’s arachnid friends including girlfriend Bid, environmentalist Herman the harvestman, smart spider Cleverley Evaleigh, and twins Ridley and Stidley Spidley. Also, some more dubious characters including Charlie the Crow, Pistachio Newt, and Nutty Slack.

The songs featured in Spid the Spider Has a Day Off also appear in the audio book version and in Spid's debut album, 'We’re Having Fun'. These include the album title track, and Spid's debut single, 'I’m Having Fun'.

Spid’s debut album, We’re Having Fun

The album covers a range of genres including rock, heavy metal, ballads and jazz. It features songs that appear in Spid’s first five books. The album title track 'I'm Having Fun' sets the tone for the whole album. It has fabulous guitar and saxophone riffs. Its message is simply put your troubles behind you; join in with the chorus; ‘I’m having fun, I’ll go for a run, I’ll enjoy the sun, until the day is done’.

RRP: £9.99
Format: Audio download
Cat no: 609115800

Get in touch to review a copy of the book at spid@spidthespider.com
Also watch the I'm Having Fun music video at https://www.youtube.com/spidthespider. The animation is by Michael Smetham,

See editor’s notes for track listing. Listen to all of the songs at https://www.spidthespider.com/spid-songs/