"Johnny and the Spider" is a children's book with several colorful illustrations. The tale is written for all ages and can be read to very young children by an adult who can explain the didactic nature of this narrative. The story takes place in the backyard of a house that abuts a national forest. An imaginative young boy named Johnny is in his yard playing a game invented in his mind. The boy is on a quest; armed with a popgun, he is stalking the shadow of a bear. During his game, Johnny encounters a talking spider that tells Johnny his mind cannot be trusted regarding what is not real and real.