Izzy Pizzy: The Marvelous Reading Contraption

By: Beth Shortsleeve

A clever tiny spider. A nearsighted monk. An eight-legged miracle in the making

Down in the cool, mossy cellar of the abbey, Izzy the fuzzy turquoise jumping spider enjoys a tranquil morning sketching in her journal-until Jeremiah the toad croaks out tragic news: Brother Jacob has lost his reading spectacles

Upstairs in the grand scriptorium, disaster looms. The royal banquet scroll must be lettered before the king arrives, but poor Brother Jacob cannot see the ink on his own quill. When an exhaustive search turns up empty, Izzy realizes this mystery calls for more than simple detective work-it requires a stroke of pure, eight-legged engineering.

Gathering bent garden wire, drops of sweet golden resin, and sticky spun-silk tethers, Izzy sets to work assembling a marvelous reading contraption. But can one miniature inventor deliver the spectacles before the nearsighted monk squashes his secret helper by mistake?

Richly rendered in a timeless watercolor and sepia ink style reminiscent of Beatrix Potter, this gentle, witty picture book blends STEM problem-solving with cozy castle charm.

Themes: Quiet acts of kindness, ingenuity, resourcefulness, unlikely friendships, and perspective. Perfect For: Fans of classic children's literature, young makers, storytime read-alouds, and readers ages 4-8. Format: Ideal for classrooms, libraries, and home collections.

"Easy peasy, Izzy Pizzy "

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0HL4XMSK1
• ISBN13: 9798182766890
• Release Date: September 2026
• Publisher: Beth Shortsleeve Publishing
• Length: 34 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.3" x 8.5"