Spider Wars is West Side Story meets Star Wars and has A Bug’s Life. The Wolf Spiders and the Peacock Spiders live on different sides of the Paddock. But they all believe the other side is better. Spider gangs are forever fighting over Middle Ground Hill, the only way to the other side. Until… A dazzling Peacock Spider falls for an oh-so-pretty Wolf Spider, but they are banned from seeing each other. And when brave Sparklemuffin risks all to rescue Wolf Mother, the sweethearts discover that life on other side might not be so good after all. This humorous, action-packed tale comes with a twist and includes a fact-filled information section on garden Wolf Spiders and the tiny dancing Peacock Spiders
Author: Dr Gina M Newton is a multi-award-winning children’s book author and passionate about the conservation of Australia’s wildlife. She trained as a marine biologist, zoologist, and science communicator. Her first picture book (fiction) has sold over 150,000 copies and her first information book for children won the CBCA Eve Pownall award, with her second short-listed. A graduate of Master Classes with renowned authors Fiona McIntosh and the late, great Bryce Courtney, Gina lives in Canberra with her two young adult children and many pets.
Illustrator:
A keen reader from an early age, Nandina Vines, wrote, illustrated and constructed her first picture book at the age of 8 years old. Her creative flare led her to work as a colourist with the Hannah Barbera Production Company and later, a career in graphic design. In recent years, Nandina changed her career direction to follow her lifelong dream of becoming an illustrator of children’s picture books and has illustrated over ten different picture books for self-published authors. Nandina is passionate about animals, nature and conservation. Nandina is not afraid of spiders and uses the catch-and-release method if a spider happens to stray indoors!
* An entertaining and educational picture book with a twist, based on real-world spiders—the amazing Peacock and Wolf spiders. The tiny brightly coloured dancing Peacock Spiders have taken the world by storm on YouTube and Wolf Spiders are commonly found in most gardens.
* This colourful picture book helps children become more aware of the smaller creatures in nature, and the information section at the end of the book highlights key aspects of each spider’s behaviour and ecology—all while enjoying a good story.
* Audience: 5–10-year-old children (Yr 1 – Yr 4), parents, carers, and educators.
* The book can be read as a delightful and engaging experience with a child, or as an opportunity to excite children about some of Australia’s smallest wildlife, while at the same time increasing their awareness and understanding. Teacher Notes will be available for mid-Primary levels..
* Author Gina Newton’s first picture book, Blossom Possum, has sold over 150,000 copies, and her information book for 8-12 year olds, Amazing Animals of Australia’s National Parks, won the 2017 CBCA Eve Pownall award, the Royal Zoological Society of NSW Whitley Young Naturalist Award, and the ACT Writing and Publishing Award for Children’s Book of the Year. Her recent information picture book, Hold On! Saving the Spotted Handfish, was shortlisted for the 2021 CBCA Eve Pownall and the Wilderness Society Environment awards, and won the 2021 ACT Writing and Publishing Children’s Book of the Year and the Royal Zoological Society of NSW Whitley Award Threatened Species Conservation for Children.
