Only in the fanciful world of personified animals and insect characters frolicking in nature, can a question such as this be answered: What does a bird with many phobias have in common with a spider that wears glasses and has a pocket protector? The answer: Friendship.
Children’s book author Vincent Staschiak brings together Marvin, a bird that does not like to fly – being scared of heights, to join forces with Spinster Spider, an arachnid who lives with 14 sisters in a tree within an apple orchid, and who has an internal desire to travel and see the world. After a chance meeting when Spinster was caught up in a gust of wind, enjoying the sensation of flying whereas the wind stopped and all of a sudden landed on the face of Marvin, the bird. They both freaked out fearing the other would eat them, and after a bit of a chaotic moment settled down to have a proper introduction and conversation. Spinster asked, “Are you going to eat me?” Marvin replied, “No, I’m a vegetarian.”
The story continues as the duo finds themselves in the far side of the apple farm and realize they have to get back to the tree where their home is, yet are challenged by having to go through various hoops of survival, included evading vultures. Yes, as all good stories come to a happy ending, they make it back to the amazement of each of their families, resulting in a lesson being learned – that trusting each other’s special capabilities and forming the bond of friendship is a very good thing.
There are many positive take-aways from this story of two zany characters working together to solve a mutual problem, none less being how different each of them are in size, appearance and capabilities. Survival is a root instinct and mutual protection is an advanced morality trait. The illustrations are done with just the right amount of detail to bring into the readers’ minds-eye the world of the apple farm being home to both of them. The dialog and narrations works seamlessly well with the drawings, bringing this book into what I would define as a night-stand delight.
With the friendship of Spinster and Marvin now introduced, who knows what future adventures await these colorful creatures in sequels yet to come.
