Nefertiti, the Spidernaut - (Children's Animal Book) by Darcy Pattison (Paperback)

About the Book

What if a spider became an astronaut? Join Nefertiti as she circles Earth 1584 times and discover if she survives.

Book Synopsis

NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book

What if a Spider Became an Astronaut? A Children's Animal Book

Most spiders spin a web and passively wait for prey to come to them. Jumping spiders, by contrast, actively hunt by jumping to catch their food.

What if a jumping spider was sent to the International Space Station? What if a spider became an astronaut?

When the spider jumped, it would simply float. No one knew if the spider could hunt in a weightless environment. This nonfiction children's animal book for elementary kids chronicles the amazing voyage of Nefertiti, the Spidernaut to the International Space Station and back.

This is an astonishing story of change: through the dark and cold, in spite of being weightless and isolated, this incredible spider adapted and learned to hunt. Nefertiti's story of survival brings hope that we, too, can adapt to a changing world. Read Nefertiti's inspiring journey into space. Perfect for kids who love space, astronauts, bugs, spiders, and STEM science.

CHILDREN'S ANIMAL BOOK SERIES

Bird. Mammal. Marine Mammal. Spider. Amphibian. Reptile. Mollusk.

This series includes the story of the oldest bird in the world, a spider in space, an orphaned puma cub, a bullfrog with a world-record leap, the poignant story of saving a species from extinction, the dolphin who inspired a government to protect him, and a humble snail who teaches us to observe.

The series is much more than just an introduction to the animal kingdom. It chronicles the story of how humans interact with animals in various ways: how we enjoy, challenge, admire, endanger, and save them. It's a fabulous series for kids to learn about the amazing and extraordinary complexity of animals.

• • Wisdom, the Midway Albatross: Surviving the Japanese Tsunami and Other Disasters for Over 60 Years, Starred Publisher's Weekly review
  • Abayomi, the Brazilian Puma: The True Story of an Orphaned Cub, NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book
  • Nefertiti, the Spidernaut: The Jumping Spider Who Learned to Hunt in Space, NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book
  • Rosie the Ribeter: The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County
  • Diego, the Giant Galapagos Tortoise: Saving a Species from Extinction, Starred Kirkus Review
  • Pelorus Jack, the New Zealand Dolphin: Inspiring a Government to Protect an Individual Animal
  • Jeremy, the English Garden Snail: Heredity, Science, and #snaillove,

Review Quotes

"In this remarkable true story of a jumping spider sent on a mission to space, Darcy Pattison successfully weaves together life science, earth space science, engineering, and technology within a suspenseful narrative. Readers will be drawn to Nerfertiti's resilience as she tackles a challenge no spider has ever faced before...to learn how to hunt in microgravity. This heartwarming and educational book will make a terrific addition to any classroom STEM library." - Karen Ansberry and Emily Morgan, science educators and authors of Picture-Perfect Science Lessons.

"Nefertiti The Spidernaut is an accurate and step by step account of this spider's journey to and from the International Space Station. Having worked on invertebrates in space experiments with BioServe, Darcy Pattison truly caught the scope of the science while keeping you rooting for Nefertiti." Mary Ann Colley, VP of Science and Conservation, Butterfly Pavilion, Westminster, CO