How did the beloved Miss Spider begin her life as a spiderling? In this engaging prequel to David Kirk"s Miss Spider books, the spider starlet herself has just popped out of her egg and is wondering where her mother could be. "Did she squeeze down a hole? Or dive underwater? Why won"t she come out here And meet her new daughter?" Little Miss Spider"s plaintive cries are heard by a passing beetle, who offers her kind assistance. The search continues, and suddenly our heroine finds herself in harrowing danger. Will the one who loves her best save her in time? Each book in Kirk"s bestselling series, including Miss Spider"s ABC and Miss Spider"s New Car, explodes with brilliant, glossy color and charming personality. His shiny close-up oil paintings catch young readers like insects in a web (but with much happier results). Adopted children and those in nontraditional families may take extra pleasure in the message this flashback story proffers: your mother is the creature who loves you best--whomever that may be. (Ages 3 and older) --Emilie Coulter