Spider in the Well
by Jess Hannigan; illus. by the author
Primary    Tegen/HarperCollins    48 pp.
3/24    9780063289475    $19.99

Our hardworking protagonist, the newsboy, wears many hats. Though his primary job is “to bring to the town of Bad Göodsburg their daily news,” he also acts as chimney sweep, shoe shiner, and milk deliverer. “He was assured by the townspeople that this was a fair arrangement.” One day breaking news brings an upsetting update: the local wishing well is on the fritz, leaving the town’s doctor, shopkeeper, and baker’s purportedly altruistic wishes (health, happiness, and sustenance for all) ungranted. They call on the newsboy to investigate, and he discovers several unexpected, and humorous, truths. With three brief sections, the narrative is well paced and easy to follow. Digital illustrations in a limited palette have the look of chunky, weighty woodcuts combined with simple-shaped children’s drawings; faces are round or oblong, noses are red circles, and eyebrows look like smiles or frowns. There are unique perspective shifts, too, such as the newsboy looking into the well—and the spider gazing back up from inside. In the end, the three mendacious wishers are brought to “justice…sort of,” and a twist conclusion sees the put-upon protagonist seizing his opportunity—and then some, thanks to a little blackmail and extortion.

Pubissue-From the March/April 2024 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.