Superworm by Julia Donaldson –NO

Donaldson, Julia and Illustrated by Scheffler, Axel Superworm 32 pgs. Arthur A. Levine Books, 2014(Jan). $16.99  Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G. PICTURE BOOK

Superworm is very helpful, especially to all the bugs and insects around him. He is very adaptable - as a lasso, a jump rope, and even a fishing line. When he is captured by an evil Lizard, all of his friends help out to rescue him.

I was eager to read this book because I am doing a mini-research project with the younger grades on worms and wanted to humanize worms and make them more likeable, less gross. But this book isn’t going to work for that. I don’t want to encourage students to try using a worm as a jump rope or lasso. There is a much repeated chorus about Superworm that I would rather not hear ever ever again. Also the story was kind of odd, they really only beat one of the bad guys. The illustrations are cute but the story kind of ruins it for me.

EL(K-3) –NO Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.