Skip to Main Content

I Worked Hard on That!

By Robyn Wall
Illustrated by A N Kang

About The Book
A spider sets out to make the most perfect, awe-inspiring web only to have her artistic efforts destroyed again and again in this delightful picture book about the creative process and perseverance.

As a spider, Kiara has always made webs to catch food, but one day, she discovers a web so beautiful that she’s inspired to spin a masterpiece of her own.

So, Kiara starts creating, but even though she works hard on her webs, they are carelessly destroyed by others. How frustrating!

It’s not until Kiara meets Orb, a spider who eats every web he weaves, that she gains a fresh perspective: the artistic process isn’t about the destination but the journey and the friends you make along the way.

About The Author
Photograph by Jed Lazzeri Photography
Robyn Wall

Robyn Wall lives in Nashville with her husband and two daughters. She is the author of the My Cool Family board book series and the picture book I Worked Hard on That!. Learn more about her work at RobynJWall.com.

About The Illustrator
A N Kang

A. N. Kang started her career designing giftware, greeting cards, and holiday installations all over New York City. In 2016, She debuted as an author and illustrator with the picture book The Very Fluffy Kitty, Papillon. Since then, she has been working as a children’s book author and illustrator. Her books include My Big Bad Monster, Celebrate You! by Sherry Duskey Rinker, Squirrel’s Family Tree by Beth Ferry, and I Worked Hard on That! by Robyn Wall. You can see more of her work online at AnnaKangDesign.com.

Why We Love It

“Anyone who’s ever been around young children can recognize the frustration they feel when their hard work and creativity just doesn’t work out. This is a story that speaks directly to the heart of anyone who’s worked hard to achieve a goal that’s fallen short in some way. It’s easy to lose sight of the journey when you’re so focused on reaching some ideal result. In this simple story about a spider and her web, I Worked Hard on That! imparts an impactful lesson: the joy we feel in our work is rooted in the simple act of creation, practice, and starting anew.”

—Celia L., Executive Editor, on I Worked Hard on That!

Product Details
  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (December 18, 2024)
  • Length: 48 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781665938723
  • Ages: 4 - 8

Browse Related Books

Raves and Reviews

"A spider comes to embrace the iterative nature of making in this tightly written story by Wall...Leaning on dusty sages and candy reds, Kang’s digital artwork has paperlike textures, giving scenes an appealing dimensionality as this picture of creaturely creativity delivers winning insight about process."

– Publishers Weekly

"Creating something worthwhile takes time, effort, and patience. . . expressive Kiara is portrayed determinedly pursuing her passion; she’s also an exemplar of self-confident persistence. The colorful digital illustrations are by turns delicate and lively and incorporate examples of creative typesetting; those intricate webs are spectacular."

– Kirkus Reviews

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

I Worked Hard on That!

By Robyn Wall
Illustrated by A N Kang