Ben and the Spider Lake Read online

  Ben and the Spider Lake

  Angela Fish

  Illustrated by Michael Avery

  ALSO BY ANGELA FISH

  Ben and the Spider Gate

  Ben and the Spider Prince

  ‘Anonymous Letters’ Competition at Howell’s School, Cardiff – Year 3 (pre-readers)

  The writer of the winning letter received a copy of Ben and the Spider Prince.

  Dear Mrs Fish,

  I really enjoyed your mysterious book Ben and the Spider Prince. It was imaginative and interesting. One of my favourite characters was Spindra and it’s because she was vicious and ugly on the inside. Your books are always exciting with lots of information about your characters. Ben and the Spider Prince has amazingly creative twists and turns with lots of astonishing scenes and pages.

  Sometimes Ben and the Spider Prince really inspires me to create new characters in my own stories. I love how Gran has lots of secrets. I also understand how Ben feels when Jess plays with the new girl in school – it’s very rare though. Some of your creatures are mythical but I don’t care if they aren’t real because they seem real to me.

  Nobody in the book likes Spindra but I think deep down she’s not a bad spider and that some spiders don’t treat her right and that they think she’s a bad spider. Thank you for visiting us a lot and I can’t wait to read your new book.

  Extracts from the other letters:

  I really enjoyed your thoughtful, imaginative story. I am really inspired by your stories.

  I think it is an inspirational book and could change our little minds for the better.

  I thought it was very adventurous, creative, imaginative, magical and exciting. When you write something magical I think I’m in the story.

  The story Ben and the Spider Prince was so extraordinary and amazing it made me want to be involved in the exciting tale. In my opinion you are the most fascinating author in the world! Your tale is so unique!

  It is my absolute favourite story ever. It inspired me to write my own story… and hopefully I have learned a lot because I want to make mine as exciting as yours.

  I like books but not all books. Ben and the Spider Prince is one of the ones I like.

  Your next book will obviously be great like all of your other books.

  It really made me jump with excitement.

  Ben and the Spider Prince is one of the best books I have ever read. It made my heart smile because your books make me full of joy.

  I would love you to write even more and more fascinating imaginative stories.

  Praise for Ben and The Spider Prince

  Spiders are wonderful, fascinating creatures but too frequently get a bad press. This spellbinding tale will captivate young children between five and eight years old and should help elevate their status as indispensable, awe-inspiring mini-beasts. The adventure concerns a young boy called Ben, and Lox, the gate-keeper of the spider kingdom who lives under the hedge in the boy’s garden. Ben is given the task of collecting three ingredients before the next full moon so that the Spider Wizard can concoct a potion to cure the Spider Prince. He has the additional problem of steering clear of Spindra, the jealous sister of the Spider Queen.

  The story is a clever blend of fantasy and contemporary realism as the action moves between the two very different worlds. With the help of his gran, his friend Jess, some fairies and an assortment of other magical creatures, Ben undertakes a quest that tests both his bravery and friendship. The author uses simple concise language and short chapters to engage young children and keep them wanting to know more. My seven-year-old daughter enjoyed reading the book with me and loved the black and white drawings that brought alive the spider kingdom.

  The Spider Prince is a sequel to the first adventure, Ben and The Spider Gate and will be followed by Ben and The Spider Lake, to be published on 28 September. However, each book can be enjoyed alone and does not necessitate reading in any strict order. I would recommend this easy-to-read and rewarding book for children at Key Stage One – confident young readers will enjoy reading the book to themselves while younger children will listen entranced by the magical world of the spider kingdom.

  New Welsh Reader, Issue 111,

  Fo Orbell, Freelance Picture Researcher and Writer. Researcher for Oxford University Press

  ‘An amazing mix of fantasy and fairly normal school life makes this a must read for pre-secondary school youngsters. Brilliant!’

  Books Monthly

  www.booksmonthly.co.uk

  In this follow-up to Ben and the Spider Gate, Angela’s first book, Lox and the Spider Wizard need Ben’s help again. With accessible language and an engaging storyline, Ben and the Spider Prince is plotted in short sections suited to the younger independent reader, aged 5+. The book also contains 10 charming black and white illustrations.

  Welsh Places and Welsh Culture

  www.allthingswelsh.co.uk

  A joyous and magical story with wonderful illustrations; so well-written that it can delight children and adult readers alike. Can’t wait for the third sequel! *****

  Diane Jones,

  Book Guild Customer Review

  Ben and the Spider Prince is an entrancing and exciting story set in a magical, miniature world. I read this with my 8-year-old granddaughter and we were both hooked from page 1! We enjoyed the special bond between Ben and his Gran and the way that Ben persevered to help his friends. There was so much for us to talk about throughout the book, and the chapters formed natural breaks. The illustrations are delightful. We loved the dragonfly fairies and the tiny dragons – perhaps we will spot some in our gardens?

  Josie P, Whitstable

  My daughter and I have thoroughly enjoyed both of your books about Ben. We think that Ben and the Spider Prince is a wonderful book that nicely continues the story of Ben and the Spider Gate, with an unusual surprise. We also loved the growth of the relationship of Ben with both his grandmother and Lox. My daughter Isobel pushed for an extra chapter each evening before bedtime, to find out what happened next. She also always insists on singing the rhymes. We both look forward to the next adventure.

  Elizabeth A, Penarth

  Ben is off on another suspense-filled, magical adventure helping Lox and the Spider Kingdom. I love the affectionate interaction between Ben and his Gran, and Ben’s wish to be kind and helpful to Lox the spider, and Jess, his best friend. My grandchildren are going to be intrigued and delighted when I read them this story.

  Liz D, Retired Assistant Principal and Junior School teacher, Christchurch, New Zealand.

  What a lovely story which we read from cover to cover. A real treat for any parent or grandparent to buy for a Christmas or birthday present. We are looking forward to reading Ben’s next adventure in Ben and the Spider Lake. Angela, you have made your books a real treat not only for the children but a really interesting read for us adults.

  Margaret & Peter B, Rugby

  (Grandparents of adults with hopes

  of being Great-Grandparents soon)

  This book is an exciting read for young children. It has everything – it’s mysterious, adventurous and heart-warming – a real page-turner. The illustrations are beautiful, especially the one of Ben and Jess in the tent, and Lox and the owl in the tree. My grandson loved it.

  Ann R, Tonyrefail

  ‘I liked this story very much – especially the drawings.’

  Ben P (8) Cardiff

  ‘In this book I think Ben was more adventurous and I liked that.’

  Aidan P (10) Cardiff

  We have been thoroughly looking forward to rea
ding the second book about Ben and the Spider Prince after experiencing his first adventure. As a teacher I feel it is extremely important to get the author’s perspective on the characters and roots of the story, as it gives the children a further insight into the plot and the mind of the creator. I feel that the children can gain a deeper relationship with all the characters through interaction with the author.

  A S,

  Connaught House School, London

  Congratulations on the book! Several of the girls in Year 3 are proud owners of a copy and we often talk about your visits to us with much excitement. The girls are always thrilled to see you and find your visits inspiring.

  Victoria J,

  Howell’s School, Cardiff.

  Copyright © 2019 Angela Fish

  The moral right of the author has been asserted.

  Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study, or criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, this publication may only be reproduced, stored or transmitted, in any form or by any means, with the prior permission in writing of the publishers, or in the case of reprographic reproduction in accordance with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside those terms should be sent to the publishers.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Matador®

  9 Priory Business Park,

  Wistow Road, Kibworth Beauchamp,

  Leicestershire. LE8 0RX

  Tel: 0116 279 2299

  Email: [email protected]

  Web: www.troubador.co.uk/matador

  Twitter: @matadorbooks

  ISBN 9781838599584

  British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data.

  A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

  Matador® is an imprint of Troubador Publishing Ltd

  For Ansel, and for the girls of Year 3 (2015-16) Howell’s Junior School, with thanks. Keep believing!

  Contents

  1. Planning For The Holiday

  2. The Cottage

  3. The Mountain Path

  4. The Picnic

  5. Where’s Scoot?

  6. The Lake

  7. Ben’s Reward

  8. Bad News

  9. Gran Gives Ben An Idea

  10. All Aboard!

  11. The Last Flight

  The Calling Rhyme

  Did you miss Ben’s other adventures?

  Ben and the Spider Gate

  Ben and the Spider Prince

  1

  Planning For The Holiday

  It was the last day of the summer term and Ben and his best friend, Jess, were very excited. All they wanted to do was to talk about the next day when they would be going on holiday for two weeks with Ben’s grandmother, his mum and dad, and his black and white dog, Scoot. Miss James, their teacher, made them sit on separate tables in the morning, but in the afternoon they sat together again and just whispered to each other.

  ‘What do think the cottage will be like, Ben?’ Jess nudged Ben’s arm. ‘Does it have a big garden? What will we be able to do there?’

  Ben leaned towards Jess. ‘I don’t know what it looks like, only that a long time ago it belonged to Gran’s family. I think that’s where she was born. She said it has a very big garden with lots of trees and there’s even a stream that goes through it. Dad said that it’s very close to the Dark Mountains – you know, the ones that I can just see from my bedroom window.’

  Jess bounced up and down on her seat. ‘Do you think we can go there? To the mountains, I mean. Maybe your dad will take us.’

  ‘Don’t know.’ Ben scratched his head. ‘I’ll ask him tonight. Is your mum bringing you over in the morning?’

  ‘Yes,’ Jess said. ‘At about nine o’clock, I think. She’s packed my bag already. I can’t wait! I’m glad I’m coming with you.’

  ‘Me too.’ Ben nodded his head. ‘I didn’t like it last summer when you had to go to stay at your cousin’s house.’

  ‘I know,’ Jess said, ‘but Mum couldn’t have all summer off work and Auntie Rose said I’d be company for Poppy. Anyway, you met Lox, didn’t you?’

  Ben smiled. Lox was the guardian of the Spider Kingdom under the hedge at the bottom of Ben’s garden. The magpies had stolen, and broken, the magic gate at the entrance of the spider world. Ben had agreed to help Lox to find the pieces of the gate and he’d asked Jess to help him. They’d gone into the Dark Woods at the back of Ben’s house and had been in big trouble with their parents. ‘Yes, but it was scary in the woods, wasn’t it?’

  Jess shivered. ‘It was. I didn’t think anyone would find us, and the bump on your head was so big, I was really scared.’

  Ben laughed. ‘I know. I didn’t think I’d ever see Lox again. When he came to my bedroom window just after the snow had gone, I thought I was dreaming.’

  Jess looked a bit sad. ‘That was when we weren’t best friends for a while, wasn’t it? Sorry.’

  Ben remembered the new girl, Kelly, at their school. At first they’d all been friends but soon Jess and Kelly wanted to be on their own. When Lox had come to ask for Ben’s help for a second time, he didn’t tell Jess about it in case she told Kelly. Lox and the Spider Wizard had asked Ben to find three special ingredients to make a magic potion. It was the only thing that would save the Spider Prince who was very ill. Ben’s gran told him a family secret and passed on the power to make himself small. He could use a magic rhyme, but only seven times, and he’d used it a lot when he was trying to find the ingredients. Now he only had two more chances left to become small.

  ‘Never mind,’ Ben said. ‘We made up, and you really helped me in the end, didn’t you?’

  Jess laughed out loud and Miss James frowned at her. ‘Yes, and then Scoot nearly ate me when you made me small!’

  Ben put his hand over his mouth and tried hard not to laugh.

  Later that evening Ben was helping Gran to pack his clothes into his suitcase. He found the rucksack that he’d had as a present last year for his seventh birthday.

  ‘Gran, can I take this as well?’ He held up the rucksack. ‘I can put my books and things in it and I can use it if we go for picnics or walks.’

  Gran looked up. ‘Yes, of course you can. Take your torch as well, and some new batteries.’

  Ben looked puzzled. ‘Why do I need my torch, Gran? The cottage has proper lights, doesn’t it?’

  Gran laughed. ‘Of course it does, silly. When my father lived there they only had oil lamps, but after he came to live here, when I was about five, his brother had electricity put in.’

  ‘Does that mean I can play my games there if we take the computer with us?’ Ben asked.

  ‘I don’t think so.’ Gran smiled at him. ‘Your dad wouldn’t be able to fit it in the car with us, and anyway, you’ll have so much to do that you won’t have time for computer games. Now, come on, finish your packing.’

  At bedtime, Ben remembered that Gran hadn’t answered his question about why he needed the torch. Maybe she had more secrets to tell him. He was so excited that he couldn’t go to sleep that night, so he jumped out of bed and looked out of the window. He thought about what Lox had said to him: that when there was a full moon, all the spiders would be thinking about Ben and how he had helped them. He looked up, and after a few minutes the clouds moved away and a fat moon hung above the big trees in the garden. Ben really hoped he’d see Lox again this summer.

  2

  The Cottage

  The next morning everyone was up early, and when
Ben woke he could hear his mum and gran talking on the landing. He thought they said something about having to come home from the holidays after a week, so he jumped out of bed and opened the door. ‘Mum, what did you just say to Gran about coming home early?’

  His mum turned around. ‘Hello, Mister Nosey! Nothing for you to worry about, it’s just that Dad has had a message to ask if he can just take a week’s holiday now, and then have another week later. There’s some problem that they need him to work on.’

  ‘Oh no!’ Ben wrinkled his nose. ‘So will we go back to the cottage when he has his next week off?’

  ‘No.’ Mum pushed his hair out of his eyes. ‘We’ve decided that I’ll come back with Dad, but that you and Jess can stay on at the cottage with Gran and Scoot. Dad will come and fetch you at the end of the second week. Is that all right?’

  ‘It would be better if you and Dad stayed all the time,’ Ben said, ‘but we like being with Gran.’

  Later that morning, after Jess had arrived, Dad packed the car. As they were driving down the road, Ben asked Gran about the Dark Mountains. She told him that wasn’t their real name, it was just what everyone called them because they were so high and blocked out the light for miles around them.

  ‘Is that why I need my torch, then?’ Ben asked.

  ‘Well,’ Gran said, ‘maybe you and Jess might want to do some exploring in the garden, or you can walk up the path to the bottom of the cliffs. There’s a cave there that my father used to play in when he was a boy. You can’t go inside anymore because it’s not safe, but you can look in.’