Cover of Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider

Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider

Written and illustrated by Jessica Lanan
Roaring Brook/Macmillan Kids, 2023
ISBN: 9781250810366

From critically acclaimed illustrator of The Lost Package comes a bold nonfiction story following a day in the life of a backyard jumping spider - meticulously researched and utterly charming.

What if you were small as a bean,
Could walk on the walls and ceiling,
Sense vibrations through your elbows,
And jump five times your body length?

That is Jumper's world.

Discover the vibrant, hidden life of a backyard jumping spider.

National Awards & Recognition

  • Robert F. Sibert Honor, 2024
  • ALA Notable Book, 2024
  • Winner: Cybils Award for Elementary Nonfiction, 2023
  • Golden Kite Honor for Picture Book Illustration, 2024
  • NSTA-CBC Outstanding Science Book, 2024
  • Junior Library Guild Selection
  • Kirkus Best Book of 2023
  • Booklist Editor's Choice, 2023
  • Publisher’s Weekly Best Book of 2023
  • NYPL: Best Books for Kids, 2023
  • Chicago Public Library: Best Informational Books, 2023
  • Evanston Public Library: 101 Great Books for Kids, 2023
  • NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book, 2023
  • Science Friday: Best Science Books for Kids, 2023
  • Nerdy Book Club: 2023 Nonfiction Winner

State Awards & Nominations

  • Colorado Children's Book Award Nominee, 2025
  • Indiana Read Aloud Ageless List, 2025
  • Maine Chickadee Award Nominee, 2025
  • Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award Nominee, 2026
  • Minnesota Youth Star of the North Nominee, 2025
  • Missouri Dogwood Finalist List, 2025
  • New York Charlotte Award Primary Nominee, 2025
  • South Carolina Book Awards - Picture Book Nominee, 2025
  • Vermont Red Clover Award Nominee, 2025

Praise

“Throughout, imagination has been harnessed to engage with the natural world without anthropomorphism [...] Readers will leap for this magnificent glimpse at a most marvelous arachnid.”

“An immersive exploration of a common jumping spider’s abilities and physical traits.”

“An exceptionally empathetic exploration of the natural world sure to inspire new arachnid allies.”

“...an accessible and thought-provoking title that connects readers to the world of a spider through engagement and education.”

“Taken from a spider’s p.o.v., it does this marvelous job of showing how the senses that we humans use to navigate the world are exceedingly different from those of your average little spider.”

“...a magical, beautiful, interesting, fascinating book that I think leads kids to want to read more, to know more... wow.”

“Simple but cinematic...satisfyingly dramatic.”

- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Classroom Resources

Downloadables

🖍️ Coloring Page

A fun black-and-white page for creative coloring in the classroom or at home.

🕷️ Spider Anatomy Activity

Learn about spider body parts with this hands-on labeling activity. Developed with a certified Montessori educator.

❤️ Empathy Activity

What's it like to be something else? Encourage discussion and empathy through this reflective writing/drawing worksheet for all ages.

Related Videos

An interview with spider scientist Paul Shamble about spiders, empathy, the research process behind the book, and the importance of noticing the little things in our backyards.

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