The Spider Shop at the University of Richmond transformed into a lively space as Tina Hallock, the First Lady of the university, launched her children’s book, “Along Came the Spiders.”
The book offers a lighthearted retelling of how the University of Richmond became the only school in the United States with a spider as its mascot. It traces the journey from when the school’s athletic teams were known as the “Colts,” all the way to the unexpected moment that made the “Spider” name come to life.
“I love this. I always feel like I’m a behind-the-scenes person, and to see so many Spiders come in and support this is really amazing,” Tina Hallock said.
The event drew an enthusiastic crowd of faculty members, students, alumni and families all eager to celebrate the book’s release and Richmond’s unique spirit. Supporters filled the shop, flipping through the illustrated pages, chatting with Hallock, and lining up to have their copies signed by the author and her illustrator Kaitlin Jones.
Among the crowd was alumna Carolee Dykes, a 1976 graduate who expressed her excitement for the book and its potential to become a new family tradition.
“It's going to be something that we share with our grandchildren,” Dykes said. “We will read it to all of them when they spend the night; it will be a tradition that we do.”
Her enthusiasm was shared by many, each reflecting on what it means to be part of Spider history. The book launch became more than just a celebration of a new publication: it was a moment of connection across generations within the Richmond community.
Current students also connected with the book’s deeper message. Sophomore Tali Kalmans reflected on what she hopes to take away from it, emphasizing the pride and unity it represents not just now, but for generations to come.Kalmans shared that she and her sister hope to one day read the book to their future children, passing along the spirit of Spider pride.
“I’m gonna grab a book for her and myself because down the line it’ll be fun to read to our kids and to the kids we babysit for now,” Kalmans said.
The enthusiasm from students and alumni was a meaningful reflection of what Hallock hoped to achieve through Along Came the Spiders. For her, the event’s turnout was heartwarming.
As Hallock reflected on the book’s journey from idea to reality, she shared how it represents more than just a university mascot: it’s a heartfelt tribute to the Richmond community itself.
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“I do think of myself as a storyteller,” Hallock said. “This started off as a tale, and I think that it has become something so much more about how wonderful this community is, and not only the places that are pictured in the book, but the people, and I love that,” Hallock said.
Along Came the Spiders both celebrates the University’s unique spirit and history and gives to its future. All net proceeds from the book will go toward the University of Richmond Scholarship Fund, supporting the next generation of Spiders.
Contact lifestyle writer Dulce Guadarrama at dulce.guadarrama@richmond.edu
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