Synopsis
Here’s to nature’s recyclers! Kids will burrow right into this book about the industrious — and danger-filled — life of the delightfully yucky earthworm.
Who would want to be friends with a wiggly, slimy worm? You can’t even tell which end is which! But there’s more to these lowly creatures than meets the eye. Kids are invited to find out where worms live, see how they move, and understand why gardeners consider them friends with the help of this humorous and informative look at an unappreciated — and fascinating — creature.
Children's Literature
Through the eyes of our young narrator, a "yucky worm" becomes an object of fascination as Grandma elaborates on its usefulness in the garden. As she explains and demonstrates on portions of the double pages, detailed descriptions of the worms and their activity and their habitats appear on dirt-colored background, complete with humorous comments from the worms. Factual information is added in upper-case asides, making for more careful observation beyond the "story" at each turn of the page. The role of worm "poop" is made clear, along with the loosening of the soil as they tunnel and the dangers that they face. The "yucky worm" is finally seen as a friend. Humorous in intent but with respect for accuracy, Ahlberg's pencil-and-gouache illustrations are delightfully effective. Beyond the worms and humans, scenes are filled with details of plants and insects, along with a curious kitten. Along with an index, notes on "How to be a wormologist" are included. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz