The Spider and the Fly 

I remember reading this in elementary school and being scared out of my wits, but something about the story and the illustrations kept me coming back to the book every time I could.

I last heard this poem recited circa 1964 by a girl in our junior high speech contest, in which every kid had to choose either a piece of poetry or prose to memorize and recite on a stage. The one I wound up doing (my mother suggested it only after I couldn't make up mind on anything else) was a 19th century pro-abolitionist work called "Spartacus to the Gladiators at Capua".

God I just got a flashback to this book and had to look it up! My mom bought it for me when I was like seven I read it all the time.

I couldn't find my book but so glad I found this instead! Way better than listening to my voice. My kids loved it!

ive been reading my whole life, ive read the odyssey, the illiad, ulysses, all of steven kings books. i read at least one book a day and i can honestly say that this is my favorite book of all time.

On of my all time favorite books

🤝🏻 This informative poem was taught in our school ❤️

the piano was an amazing touch it made the reading experience so much better

Thank you, Derek, that is very kind of you. Actually, since you mentioned it, I am working on my third audio book as we speak. I really enjoy narrating and producing them. With each audiobook that I do I learn so much more. I am very new to it but I am really enjoying it. Thanks again! James

I vaguely remembered this book from my childhood and how creepy it was, so I was able to experience some nostalgia thanks to you! Your voice is perfect. My only complaint would be that sometimes the music is too loud, so I can't hear you very well :x

It was like always the art work that I loved:) it was spooky but I was fine and I was only five. I always loved it. My hole class did. When we had the option to choose hat book we read we always read this one:)

@0unhallowed0 No, you're not crazy. This is Machine Heads, "Aesthetics of hate" arranged and performed by Vika Yermolyeva. She has a really cool channel on RU-vid. She takes hard rocking songs and transposes them to piano. She's pretty cool. :)

@The1GreatEscape I can imagine. I wasn't that fond of spiders but they are starting to grow on me.

The art work is one of my favorite things about this particular book! Tony does amazing work. You should check out his other stuff.

I liked it...Music fit in perfectly in my opinion...keep up the good work good sir!

@princesaErica00 Thank you for watching it. Sorry you were freaking out. When I was little I always thought it was fun to be scared knowing I was safe. I guess that is why I loved the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland and Halloween. To this day I make a big deal out of decorating my house for Halloween just so my kids and their friends can experience the fun I had when I was little.

@WolfieMcMuffin Thank you! I really appreciate the kind comments.

The winterguard group was amazing. No wonder they always won.

So this is how I ended up this way.......

This awesome wintergaurd group did this and its so awesome

one of my fav stories! very tim burton.

This story would make a good Tim Burton movie. But it needs color and a happy ending.

wow i havent read this book in years im so glad i found it here it was my faveorite book when i was little i took it out from my town libry all the time

I have missed this story so much I haven't herd it since elementary school and it was like my favorite story my teacher ever read to us:)

Thank you. That is very kind of you. :)

Thank you! That's wonderful!

lol love it this book was my 2 book i red o.o when i was young

chills running down my spine at your voice at the end... this was really good. I have actually never read this book before, but I think this made it better than me reading it for myself

@FamilyFunForever Funny you should mention that! I felt it was very Tim Burton-esque as well. Thank you for the kind comment. I really like doing readings. I might do another. I'm reading the Harry Potter series for my kids right now and it is fun to do with all the different character voices. Tony DiTerlizzi is one of my favorite illustrators. If you haven't picked up this version of the Spider and Fly you should. It is a cool book. :)

@ZoeyHooligan Glad you found it! This version by Tony DiTerlizzi is my favorite. His art work is amazing. I'm thinking of buying a second book just to keep in perfect condition. The one I have is well used from reading to my boys. :) Thanks for listening.

I really liked your reading of this. At times though, the music overpowers your fine narration. There is an excellent audio program that will allow you to record several tracks and adjust the volume independently. Best of all the program is free, its called Audacity. I used this to record my reading of Winken Blinken and Nod.

i like how you read with your voice it fits the book well.

Thank you for the kind comments. I agree with you about the music. I am thinking of re-recording it. Since I have recorded this video I have recorded a couple of audio books so maybe with the lessons I have learned I will re-record this one. Thanks!

This story was a part of my childhood.....

@N12X sure I could see Johnny Depp as a freaky spider. I love it when child entertainment has the balls to actually be graphic.

@The1GreatEscape That would be cool!

@demeterfan55556 I love the illustrations in this book. I have a lot of fun reading to my kids. It's a neat book. Thanks for watching the video. :)

Your voice is nice. Good and dark

Thank you. :)

I used to read this

This story is beyond creepy. 0.0 but it's got a great meaning! Really though....I had a TERRIBLE nightmare about this story.

Tim Burton should make a short film with this! :D

i remember this story i used to read it when I was either in elementary school or middle school.

This was my favorite bedtime story when I was little

please do!!

This was a good book

this story is scary and sad

Can someone explain the whole story to me please? I just learned about it today.

@plushanimalz Thank you for watching. I hope you liked it. Maybe I will do more readings of different books and poems some day. I have always loved this poem. Take care.

@mccartybh Thanks! You're right, I had some issues with the audio. I have since tried Audacity and I like it. I wish I could drag the tracks around instead of having them move to cursor. But I do like the program. I just need to learn to use it better. :)

This is one of my fave poems as well. In fact I'm doing a dramatization of it for English class

I agree. The music is too loud. I am thinking of re-recording it. Thanks.

Of course it is a true story. In fact, I heard it straight from an puriri moth's mouth. ;)

why in the book, it has to have scary music and a scary voice? i was freaking out at the start of the video

@TheSexyColours Well thank you. Now if only I could get some voice work. ;)

Wow, that's wonderful! Perhaps you could scan the pages of the book to give it a more professional feel, and so people could see the pictures better, as well.

I have the book RIGHT KNOW 😮

@N21X dude I love your voice. It's epic. lmao r u trying to sound all mysterious like that? or is it natural? I'm a girl, so Idk how boys voices are. lol

What happened to the Fly?

Cool, although you kept turning the pages before you were done reading.

Was that a true story and did it really happen????

@N21X ok

Poor fly :(

I HAVE THAT BOOOOK.

the background music is very loud

what is the name of a song playing in this video?

lol is that machine head maybe I'm crazy?

That music in the background is very annoying.

4 people got eaten by the spider.