For many children, spiders top the list of creepy-crawlies to avoid at all costs. But what if fear wasn’t the instinctive response? What if curiosity, understanding, and even affection took its place? According to children’s author and former pediatric nurse Lauren Molesworth, the key to dissolving fear lies in how we introduce the unfamiliar, especially when it comes to creatures like spiders—or anything else that might seem strange or different.

“Without approaching the strange (spiders or those different to us), fear will grow where curiosity should have blossomed,” says Molesworth.

Start with Empathy

One of the most effective ways to help children overcome fears is through storytelling. Imaginative stories allow kids to meet feared creatures in a safe, playful context—inviting empathy rather than avoidance. That’s exactly the approach Molesworth took in her latest hand-painted picture book, The Seven-Legged Astronaut.

The story follows Maurice, a curious, fuzzy spider with an appetite for knowledge. He doesn’t just wander through webs—he travels through galaxies, driven by his fascination with space. His quest unfolds through a child’s imagination and a family’s passion for space science, giving young readers a new perspective: not all spiders are scary—some might just want to learn about stars.

Maurice’s journey is not just about space; it’s about feeling like an outsider, being different, and still striving for connection. It teaches children to value diversity, to explore the unknown, and to befriend what they might not understand.

Creative Ways Parents Can Help

If your child has a fear of spiders—or anything unfamiliar—here are some creative, supportive ways to help turn that fear into fascination:

• Use Stories as a Bridge
• Name the Fear Literally
• Encourage children to draw spiders or their fears and turn them into silly or heroic characters. Art is a powerful tool for reframing emotions.
• A nature walk or a visit to a science museum can create positive experiences tied to the natural world. Learning why spiders spin webs, or how they help the ecosystem, turns fear into fascination.

With books like The Seven-Legged Astronaut, Molesworth hopes to inspire young readers not only to learn about the stars but to look at the world around them with wonder, empathy, and endless curiosity.

“I want my readers to be curious, never give up, and to see just how amazing life is.”

The Seven-Legged Astronaut is now available on Amazon, and is the first in a planned series of hand-painted stories that blend science, imagination, and heart. Maurice the spider may just become your child’s next unlikely hero and a reminder that every creature, no matter how many legs, has a story worth telling.