Spinderella

What do our readers think of Spinderella? (Generated from the text of reviews of the book)

Children enjoy the football, counting and colourful spider characters, especially the funny Hairy Godmother. Some children find the story less exciting than Julia Donaldson's best-known books, but they still like joining in with the numbers.

What does the Pageticker team say about Spinderella?

Spinderella puts a clever spin on Cinderella, swapping glass slippers for football boots and a rather hairy godmother. Julia Donaldson brings counting, teamwork and a lively family of spiders together in an entertaining story, although this is more maths-led than some of her most lyrical picture books. It is especially well suited to children who enjoy football, funny animals and joining in with numbers.

Genres

What is Spinderella about?

Spinderella the spider loves football, but she struggles with counting and doesn't know how many players should be on each team. With a little help from her Hairy Godmother, Spinderella learns to count and play the game properly. This delightful picture book combines sport, maths, and fun, making it perfect for young readers who enjoy stories about animals and teamwork.

About the author

Julia Donaldson is a much-loved British author who has written many wonderful books for children. She is best known for creating 'The Gruffalo', a story about a clever mouse and a magical creature. Julia often works with illustrator Axel Scheffler to bring her fun and imaginative stories to life.

Discussion ideas around Spinderella

Learning to count: Why do numbers become important to Spinderella, and how do they help her during the football match?

Being part of a team: What makes a good football team, and how do Spinderella and the other spiders learn to work together?

Asking for help: How does Spinderella's Hairy Godmother help her, and who could you ask when something feels difficult?

Fair play: What rules would you make for a fair game of football with your friends or family?

Cinderella with a twist: Which parts of Spinderella remind you of Cinderella, and what makes this story different?