I Can Only Draw Worms

May 10, 2019

PreS-Gr 1-With the author's initial statement that the topic is worms (and the author can "only draw worms"), the counting begins. A neon pink marker illuminates worm images outlined in black (except for yellow worm three, drawn when the pink pen was momentarily lost), and all worms look alike in shape (except worm two, who wears glasses), and all seem to be the same length (except for an accidental disaster befalling worm eight. Alert readers following the author's rambling commentary will note the absurdity and look forward to a descriptive introduction of each new worm character. Sheets of bright pink, yellow, white, and black frame humorous text that keeps pages turning while readers infer the state of the next worm in line. With typewriter font interrupted by the black marker and text emphasized by color-highlighted phrases, all 10 worms eventually appear at the end-"all friends together." VERDICT Comical in its counting and brief explanations of worm activity, this book is a simply irresistible read-aloud for early readers, perfect for storytime or classroom. -Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano ISD, TX

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2019
An unseen narrator spends this marvelously meta book's length presenting worms one through ten; the largely indistinguishable worms are the book's only visuals. The hilarious running gag is the narrator's artistic limitations: e.g., "The next page is really exciting. Worm SIX is riding on a flying unicorn!" precedes "I can't draw flying unicorns. I've drawn worm FIVE again, instead."

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)