THE TARANTULA SCIENTIST by Sy Montgomery, Photos by Nic Bishop

Bibliography
Montgomery, Sy. 2004. The Tarantula Scientist. Photos by Nic Bishop. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0618147993

Plot Summary
The author, Sy Montgomery, and photographer, Nic Bishop, follow Sam Marshall, tarantula scientist, on one of his adventures to French Guiana to learn about tarantulas. In addition to focusing on tarantulas, the book also offers interesting information about French Guiana, how scientists conduct their work, and other animals that live in the same neighborhood as Sam’s beloved tarantulas. Beautiful photographs of tarantulas, frogs, other spiders, and much more show each detail that the text conveys.

Critical Analysis
Sy Montgomery and Nic Bishop document their journey with Sam Marshall to French Guiana and then to the Spider Lab at Hiram College in Hiram, Ohio. Sam is an assistant professor of biology at Hiram College who has devoted his life to studying tarantulas. This book is so interesting that it can be read from beginning to end. The last couple of pages are devoted to a dictionary of terms, a section on spider facts, and an index for those who may want to use this book to find specific information. The photographs are beautiful and convey the author’s message that spiders are interesting and beautiful creatures. Scientific vocabulary is used with just the right of amount of explanation so that any amateur to the field of science can learn the proper terminology of the field. I love how the book captures Sam’s love and excitement for tarantulas. The photographs help readers see the beauty that Sam sees.

Awards Won & Review Excerpts

•  Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal, 2005 - Honor

• Best Children's Books of the Year, 2004 - Bank Street College of Education

• Choices, 2005 - Cooperative Children’s Book Center

• Notable Children's Books, 2005 - American Library Association ALSC

• Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12, 2005 - National Science Teachers Association/CBC

• Booklist: "Readers will come away armed with facts about spiders in general and tarantulas in particular, but even more important, they'll have a clear understanding of how the answers derived from research become the roots of new, intriguing questions."

• Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices: "The Tarantula Scientist continues to hold to a standard of excellence."

• National Science Teachers Association (NSTA): "I know it will grab their interest as it did mine, and it will, if nothing else, make children look with a keener eye at the organisms in the world around them."

Connections

• If you have a classroom pet or can acquire one, have children study the animal and write down their observations. Have students share questions that they have as a result of their observations. Discover ways to find answers to these questions.

• Other books about spiders:

          Bishop, Nic. Spiders. ISBN 9780439877565
          Sill, Cathryn P. About Arachnids: A Guide for Children. ISBN 1561450383
          Markle, Sandra. Sneaky, Spinning, Baby Spiders. ISBN 9780802796974

• Enjoy a poetry break by reading some poetry featuring spiders:

          Hovey, Kate. Arachne Speaks. ISBN 0689829019
          Florian, Douglas. Insectlopedia: Poems and Paintings. ISBN 0152013067
          Howitt, Mary. The Spider and the Fly. ISBN 0689852894