I’m thrilled to announce the release of the second edition of my children’s poetry book, The Heavy-Footed Spider and Other Stories. This delightful collection of whimsical rhymes, inspired and originally illustrated by my talented granddaughter Bella Kay-Shaw, has been updated and self-published in 2025, and copies arrived today.
A Little History
The first edition was a special labour of love, created by Bella and her Gramps (that’s me!) to celebrate her brother Sammy’s 3rd birthday. We had enormous fun crafting the original poems and illustrations. Readings from that edition took place at the Harrogate Autumn Flower Show at Newby Hall, as part of Promoting Yorkshire Authors (PYA). The children there loved them – several even went home with free copies! This second edition was the brainchild of my wife, Sandra Kay, and it includes a few tweaks while keeping all the original charm.
Notable mentions:
- Mountain Music was first published in 2025 by Yaffle’s Nest in IMPRINTS by Peter Kay.
- The Heavy-Footed Spider debuted in the PYA Children’s Anthology 2025.
What’s Inside?
Spanning 24 pages, this pamphlet bursts with fun, imaginative poems perfect for young readers (and the young at heart). Here’s the full contents:
- A Griffin Came to Tea – Page 1
- Elephant – Page 2
- The Heavy-Footed Spider – Pages 3 & 4
- The Marshmallow Cat – Page 5
- Spotty Dog – Page 6
- The Alien – Pages 7 & 8
- Sammy – Page 9
- Reginald the Otter – Page 9
- Auntie Rose – Page 10
- The Boy In Red Pyjamas – Page 11
- The Worm – Page 12
- Mountain Music – Pages 13 & 14
- In the Garden – Page 15
- Jumbo Jet – Page 16
From a clattering spider in hobnailed boots to a squidgy marshmallow cat, a spotty dog who dances to rock and roll, and even an alien with silver knickers – there’s adventure, laughter, and a touch of the absurd on every page.
Publication Details
- ISBN: 978-0-9574905-3-6
- Self-Published by Peter Kay, 2025
- All Poems Are Original
- Price: £4.50 (pamphlet format)
- All proceeds go to charity
Copyright © Peter Kay 2025. All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be copied, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, or by any electronic or mechanical means, without the prior permission of the copyright holder.
Get Your Copy
This little book makes a perfect gift or bedtime read. If you’d like one, drop me a message via the contact form on this site.
For more of my children’s stories, check out my other titles like The Owl and The Mole (illustrated by Rebecca Kay) and the upcoming The Significant Squirrel Skirmish.
Thank you for supporting independent authors – let’s keep the magic of poetry alive for the next generation!
Peter Kay
peterkaywordspace.co.uk