CM Magazine: The Worm Book.

________________ CM . . . . Volume IV Number 18 . . . . May 8, 1998

Cover The Worm Book (Worm World).
Shar Levine. Illustrated by Louisie Phillips.
Toronto, ON: Somerville House, 1997.
32 pp. book, model and poster, $14.95.
ISBN 1-5895897-84-X.
Preschool - grade 4 / Ages 4 - 9.
Review by Harriet Zaidman.
**** /4

excerpt:

What is an Earthworm?
All worms, including earthworms, are invertebrates - animals with no backbones. An earthworm is sometimes called a "segmented worm" because its body is made up of similar-looking sections, or segments. Those body sections are attached together in a straight line from the head of the worm to its tail. Common kinds of earthworms include red wrigglers (red worms) and dew worms (night crawlers).

Because worms have never failed to fascinate kids, why not teach them as much as possible about our wriggly friends? The Worm Book is a great way to find out about the secret world of the worm, and to watch them as they reveal their secrets. The Worm Book comes with a secure, aerated plastic container (the "Wormworld tank") in which a child can build a worm farm. The 64 paged mini-sized book contains excellent information about worms, including what building a worm farm entails, how to do it, and experiments that a child can do with a worm. Happily, the experiments are worm-friendly and cause no harm. The activities begin with a list of needed equipment, the experiment's objective and the detailed methodology. The writing is clear, detailed and concrete, and takes care to relate interesting observations a child might make. Further interesting information and suggestions are found on the right side of the odd-numbered pages.

The illustrations are perfectly suited to create interest in small children about worms. Orange and earth tones dominate the pages, and a little earthworm with an explanation mark or a light bulb above its head is found throughout the book. The children, who are frequently looking through magnifying glasses, appear to be happy and curious.

This book is superb for the child who has an adult who is committed to helping her/him read the book and build a worm farm. With children following the excellent instructions, worms would be happy to wriggle around in their little "Wormworld tank." We all know children learn by doing, and so here's your chance to be involved in a family activity that will certainly engage a child's interest.

Just keep the top on the container!

Highly recommended.

Harriet Zaidman is a teacher-librarian in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - MAY 8, 1998.