Caption: The Courtship of Snapperty
Surely I cannot be the only person who grew up in the 1950s who remembers the charming children's book, "Snapperty the Spider"? It was first published in 1956 by Lawson & Dunn, and was written by John de Quincey, an author of whom I know nothing other than that he penned this delightful tale. Here, we see Snapperty, the garden spider, whose mother taught him to make (or 'knit') a web, despite the tradition that dictates webs are the province of females ("Two purl, one plain, Three purl, one plain..." we hear him saying to himself), falling in love with a beautiful lady spider whom he will later marry. A nasty shock, however, awaits him on his honeymoon......erm, well he is a male spider after all!
Still, this is a childrens' book, and I'm pleased to report that, despite the arachnid odds, a happy ending awaits....
My favourite book! Especially as it used to make my mother green with all the "blood and gore" in the battle scenes.
ReplyDeleteWish I still had it.
I still have it - the illustrator was my great uncle, I have loved it all my life!
DeleteCan you tell me some more about him, please?
DeleteAny suggestions as to where I might be able to buy a copy? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteMy granddad wrote this book, I didn't know it got much further than the family! I'm glad that you all had the chance to enjoy it! :)
ReplyDeleteYour granddad was a genius. The book is a gem, and was/is one of my firm favourites. I still have it, and read it occasionally. Snapperty and Gnat and Co., are immortal. Thanks so much for posting this.
DeleteI grew up with Snapperty. My copy is still within easy reach, and I loved every page of this unacknowledged classic. Were you terrified of the Enchanter ? I was. Thanks for posting your tribute.
ReplyDeleteLove this bookz, still have it travelled with me through 17 house moves! Wonderful illustrations too.
ReplyDelete