The Lowdown on EarthWorms

Finalist - 2006 Foreword Magazine BOTY Award

- Juvenile Non-Fiction category

Shortlisted for the Silver Birch Award

Red Cedar Book Award nominee 2007-2008

Finalist - 2007 SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books

- Hands-on Science/Activity Book category

Animal Behavior Society's Outstanding Children's Book Award shortlist

What has no eyes, but can see? No

ears, but can hear? No legs, but can still travel quite easily? Give up? The answer's an earthworm. You barely hear them, and rarely see them, but earthworms are among the most important creatures on the planet.

They may seem like just more creepy crawlies, but without earthworms working hard on our dirt, we_d have a very difficult time growing our flowers, our trees, and even our food.

Filled with interesting, easy-to-understand facts, Lowdown on Earthworms is the perfect introduction to these unsung heroes.

From the myth that cutting a worm in half will create two worms, to their unique reproductive capabilities, all the need-to-know facts are here.

Author Norma Dixon also provides her readers with several projects and activities to better acquaint us with earthworms and all the great work they do. Children can make a worm-watching terrarium, a worm composter, and

even a worm-listening device of their own.

First in a series of nature books that will include mollusks and flies.

Finalist - 2006 Foreword Magazine BOTY Award

- Juvenile Non-Fiction category

Shortlisted for the Silver Birch Award

Red Cedar Book Award nominee 2007-2008

Finalist - 2007 SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books

- Hands-on Science/Activity Book category

Animal Behavior Society's Outstanding Children's Book Award shortlist

What has no eyes, but can see? No

ears, but can hear? No legs, but can still travel quite easily? Give up? The answer's an earthworm. You barely hear them, and rarely see them, but earthworms are among the most important creatures on the planet.

They may seem like just more creepy crawlies, but without earthworms working hard on our dirt, we_d have a very difficult time growing our flowers, our trees, and even our food.

Filled with interesting, easy-to-understand facts, Lowdown on Earthworms is the perfect introduction to these unsung heroes.

From the myth that cutting a worm in half will create two worms, to their unique reproductive capabilities, all the need-to-know facts are here.

Author Norma Dixon also provides her readers with several projects and activities to better acquaint us with earthworms and all the great work they do. Children can make a worm-watching terrarium, a worm composter, and

even a worm-listening device of their own.

First in a series of nature books that will include mollusks and flies.

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5-The indispensable earthworm gets its due in this breezy introduction. Short blocks of text accompanied by color photographs and/or drawings explain the invertebrate's ecological importance as a recycler of organic material. The author also describes the animal's chief characteristics, the distinctive characteristics of three common species, major internal organs and their functions, diet, feeding habits, life cycle, etc. References to Charles Darwin's research on the subject are scattered throughout and suggestions are offered for conducting versions of some of his simpler experiments. Brief directions for constructing a wormery and a worm composting bin are included; adult assistance is required for both projects. Assorted sidebars present miscellaneous facts or tips on humane handling of worms. Most of the photographs are close-ups; included among the drawings are large diagrams of major body parts, underground burrows, and more. The text has a lively style and is, for the most part, clearly written. Molly McLaughlin's Earthworms, Dirt and Rotten Leaves (S & S, 1986) lacks the lively layout of Dixon's title but takes a more scientific approach and offers more details, experiments, and nature study activities. Despite minor flaws due to oversimplification, Lowdown will be a useful addition to libraries.-Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Norma Dixon has worked as an ad writer, proofreader, and children's guide at local tourist sites, but now devotes her time to her writing. She is now researching the lowdown on mollusks. Norma lives in Vancouver, BC, where she sees an abundance of earthworms.