Selma: the Story of a Stellar Spider written by Tini Malina and translated by Tammi Reichel, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary: "Selma - The Story of a Stellar Spider" by Tini Malina is an adorable picture book about a little spider with big dreams. Unlike her family, Selma doesn't spin webs to catch flies. Instead, she weaves artistic creations, capturing the beauty of the world around her. Despite criticism, Selma follows her passion and climbs to great heights, both literally and figuratively. Her journey is about being true to oneself and pursuing dreams, culminating in an extraordinary web that reflects her unique vision. This story, with its beautiful illustrations, encourages children to embrace their individuality and creativity. 

Straight Talk for Librarians:  I loved this picture book!  The color palette and the illustrations are really unique. The story of Selma teaches kids the importance of staying true to oneself, even when others disagree. The vibrant and playful illustrations enhance the narrative, making it engaging for young readers. The unexpected twist at the end adds excitement and reinforces the theme of embracing differences. IB PYP librarians will love that the book promotes Learner Profile attributes such as being open-minded and reflective. Teachers can use it to discuss the value of creativity, perseverance, and respecting diverse perspectives. It encourages students to think independently and pursue their passions. Any school librarian can use this book to spark discussions about creativity and individuality. It can be featured in a display about art and self-expression, or included in a storytelling session to inspire young readers to think about what makes them unique.  There are lots of crafting opportunities to go along with this book.  Students can make their own web designs on black construction paper using white crayons.  There could also be all kinds of spider crafts like this one or these ones.  I think this could also pair well with a math lesson on patterns.  At the high school, it would be interesting for German language learners to compare this book to the original written in German.  All in all, a great purchase for any level school library.

The expected publication date for this book is March 24, 2026.  Thank you to NorthSouth books for an advance copy of this book.