The Little Brown Spider in Which Way to Go? by Dennis Derobertis, Illustrated by Cristian Bernardini

A quick and important story about common anxieties that young children face, The Little Brown Spider in Which Way to Go? by Dennis Derobertis is a beautifully illustrated primer for kids before they start attending school. Michael is worried about not knowing which direction to turn after getting off the bus at school, but a new friend helps him find the way. While this worry is understandable for kids, the language and focus are somewhat repetitive, which is necessary and common in children’s books, but happens a bit too often here. However, the illustrations are exquisite, and the titular spider is a fun guide, so the book is engaging and helpful overall, covering a topic that is fairly overlooked in children’s literature.