The Nightspinners

Ariane the weaver lives happily in a cottage in the woods, surrounded by her friends the animals. When Queen Heartless sees a princess wearing a dress even more beautiful than her own, she orders her guards to capture Ariane so that she can weave for no one else. She is locked in a dungeon and told to weave exquisite silks for the Queen's ballgowns. Ariane is in despair--until some tiny spiders come to her rescue. They weave a web of rare and magical silk, which will help Ariane escape back to her cottage in the woods. Kate Petty's many books for children include The Amazing Pop-Up series and the Playground series. Mary Claire Smith is the highly praised illustrator of e.e. cummings' Little Tree.