Miss Muffet, the beloved nursery rhyme character, is back – and this time, she’s taking charge.

The iconic character has been reinvented in the new children’s book, Miss Muffet Strikes Back: Spider Killer, which debuted on shelves in bookstores across the country on Monday.

Written by Diana Gribble, and illustrated by Cheryl Orsini, the book follows Miss Muffet as she comes face-to-face with the spider that scared her away from her curds and whey.

But instead of running away in fright, Miss Muffet fights back, armed with an array of tools and strategies to take down the spider once and for all.

In an interview with The New York Times, Gribble said she wanted to create a story where Miss Muffet is “a hero, not a victim.”

“I wanted to take an old story and give it a new twist,” she said. “I wanted to show kids that they can be strong, they can be brave, and they can stand up for themselves.”

The book has already received praise from parents and educators for its empowering message and engaging storytelling.

“My daughter loved it,” said Emily Johnson, a mother of three from Chicago. “She’s always been a bit scared of spiders, but this book really helped her feel like she could take control.”

Miss Muffet Strikes Back: Spider Killer is the latest in a trend of books and movies that are reimagining classic characters and stories to reflect modern sensibilities.

From “Frozen” to “Maleficent,” these stories are using familiar characters and narratives to explore themes of empowerment, diversity, and equality.

And as the children’s book market continues to evolve, authors like Gribble are leading the way with books that empower kids to think critically, stand up for themselves, and be the heroes of their own stories.

Miss Muffet Strikes Back: Spider Killer is now available in bookstores and online retailers. For those who are ready to face their fears and join Miss Muffet on her spider-killing adventure, this book is a must-read.