The Sebby Spider stories began many years ago, long before self-publishing was as accessible as it is today.
Back in 2005, I contacted a local web designer to ask about work experience. He invited me to visit his studio, a small creative space tucked away in the woods in Thursley. I brought along my university illustration work, including children’s book covers inspired by classic stories such as The Snow Queen and The Princess and the Pea, as well as illustrated pieces based on How the Leopard Got His Spots.
He loved the work, especially my children’s illustrations, and we quickly discovered a shared interest in storytelling.
At the time, he had been creating bedtime stories for his two young daughters. One of those stories was about a little spider bouncing on his web. Together, we developed that idea into the first version of what would later become Sebby Spider and the Wobbly Web, originally titled The Very Clever Spider.
We went on to create a second story, The Very Cold Spider, which has since evolved into Sebby Spider and the Winter Web.
This was before print-on-demand publishing, so he arranged for the books to be professionally printed in China, bringing the stories to life in a very different publishing world.
I also spent a couple of years apprenticing with David, where I learned a great deal about web design, graphic design, and the foundations of building a creative business. That experience gave me the confidence to begin what would later become Read Studios.
A Return to the Spider
Years later, around 2020, I found myself returning to the spider stories with fresh eyes.
This time, it became a project I shared with my son, Oscar. Together, we went through each page, rethinking the rhythm, the storytelling, and how the illustrations could come to life in a new way. It was a lovely creative process, shaped as much by his imagination as mine.
At one point, we began developing them under a different name, but quickly discovered that the name was already closely associated with existing children’s characters. That unexpected hurdle, combined with very slow internet while living in a rural cottage in France, meant the project was set aside once again.
Finding Sebby
When I returned to the stories more recently, I did so with a clearer sense of my own voice.
Rather than completely rewriting everything, I chose to gently reshape the original stories, keeping their spirit while allowing them to become more personal.
That’s when Sebby Spider came to life.
Alongside the earlier stories, a new one naturally followed:
Sebby Spider and the Tangled Web
This story was inspired by real experiences after moving to France, where my youngest was navigating friendships and challenges at school. It became a way to explore kindness, resilience, and how we respond when things feel difficult.
The Books
Sebby Spider and the Wobbly Web
Bounce. Boing. Wobble…
When Sebby’s web starts to stretch and wobble, he and his friends discover that sometimes things feel a little unstable before they become strong. A playful story about teamwork and sticking together.
Sebby Spider and the Winter Web
Brrr… it’s cold on Sebby’s web!
From hats and coats to clever ideas, Sebby tries everything to keep warm. A cosy and humorous story about problem-solving and finding comfort in unexpected places.
Sebby Spider and the Tangled Web
Uh-oh… something feels wrong.
When teasing turns Sebby’s world upside down, he must decide how to respond. A gentle and reassuring story about kindness, feelings, and finding a better way forward.
A Little Peek at What’s Next
Sebby’s adventures are far from over.
A new story is already beginning to take shape, inspired by the funny and sometimes confusing things children say and discover as they learn about the world.
In Sebby Spider and the Woof-Woof Bark, Sebby starts to notice that some words don’t always mean what he thinks they do…
Is it a woof-woof bark… or a tree bark?
Through a series of playful mix-ups, Sebby begins to explore the joy of language, laughter, and learning something new.
Explore the Books
You can find all Sebby Spider books on Amazon, or browse them here on the site using the links below.