Diary of a Worm

Some of the content provides examples that I would not want to pass on to any child. Here's just one example of the main character worm's narrative: "My older sister thinks she's so pretty. I told her that no matter how much time she spends looking in the mirror, her face will always look just like her rear end."

How about this one? (Only girls are depicted in the picture on the page associated with this quote: ""I snuck up on some kids in the park. They didn't hear me coming. I wiggled right between them and they SCREAMED. I love when they do that." And the picture on the opposing page shows three girls running with terrified looks on their faces.

Isn't there enough of this sort of put down in the world today without having to perpetuate through children's literature? Insulting and scaring girls (and only girls) is not a message that should be modeled as acceptable, especially in children's literature.

This is a cute book for primary age children. Somehow I was expecting something a bit more detailed on the growth of a worm. But it's a cute book and I'm sure my daughter's pre-k students will enjoy it.

A young worm journals his daily life, writing about his friends, his family, and the pluses and minuses of being a worm. His observations are often very funny, as when he talks about spending the day above ground with his family after a rainstorm, and then notes, “Hopscotch is a very dangerous game”, with illustrations from a worm’s point of view. The story includes facts about earthworm behavior that gives young audiences a fun lesson in science: earthworms dig tunnels that help the earth breathe; worms cannot walk upside down, and worms have no teeth being just a few fun factoids to take away.

The artwork adds to the appeal of the book. Mr. Bliss uses watercolor and ink illustrations to bring Worm, his family and friends to life; while not overly anthropomorphizing them, he does infuse them with personality. The worm’s-eye view of the world provides a different point of view that young audiences will appreciate, and could lead to a good post-storytime discussion of how things look different from a worm’s point view as opposed to a human’s. The text looks almost like a printed font, and the entries are dated, like a real diary would be. The endpapers are set up like a scrapbook or diary, with photos of Worm’s friends, family, and accomplishments – report cards, a web made for him by his friend, Spider, a comic strip – “taped” to the pages.

I loved this book from the very first page. This is a journal written by a young boy worm. It is his perspective on life. Throughout he talks about the advantages that worms bring to the earth such as airing soil and composting. The little boy is mischievous at times, but is good to his friends.

The illustrations are wonderful, colorful and fun. The book is laced with humor that kept me laughing to the end. One of my favorite scenes is when the worms try to do the Hokey Pokey at a party, but they can only put their heads in, out and turn all around. I like the subtle way this book teaches ecology and the benefits worms bring to the earth. This book would be a perfect starting point for an Earth Day lesson. I also love the creativity of the worm's perspective.

There are two newer books in a series called Diary of a Worm written by Lori Houran. These are young readers based on this picture book, but are not written by Doreen Cronin. There are also Diary of Fly and Diary of a Spider by Cronin. I look forward to reading these next.

This book is advertized for ages 4-8. I really don't think four year olds would get most of the humor in this book. I would say it is more appropriate for ages 6-9.

If you aren't familiar with her, Doreen Cronin is the author of the hugely popular "Click, Clack Moo: Cows That Type" and Harry Bliss is her illustrator on this and other "Diary of" books. (He just paired up with Kate Dicamillo on "Louise, The Adventures of a Chicken", another excellent book you might want to check out.)

What the team gives us on this one is the scoop on life as a earthworm. Using a diary format, we are introduced to the joys, scares, and dreams of an earthworm boy.

My own two children -- boy and girl, currently 6 and 8 -- think this book is hysterical, and it's definitely one they like to read over and over. The reason for this popularity is that the author and artist know their audience well and the humor is just perfect for kids (and adults if they have a goofy-streak).

My two's favorite diary entry at the moment is the one that includes the Hokey-Pokey. Our worm buddy and his friends are stymied by only being able to put their heads in --and out, and shaking them all about. After that they're done!

Considerations :::
The book is written on an advanced second grade level. The Accelerated Reading designation is 2.8 (almost 3rd Grade). 2.8 which means that the average 2nd grader in the 8th month of school ought to be able to read this book themselves without getting frustrated by too many words they don't know.

Pam T~
mom and reviewer for BooksForKids-Reviews

What a truly enjoyable book! Doreen Cronon (author) and Harry Bliss (illustrator) have come together to create an enlightening story, DIARY OF A WORM, which portrays the characteristics and life of an earthworm by giving it human qualities and comparing it to other creatures. The book is hilariously written in a diary format from the perspective of a young worm boy in a baseball hat. The human scenarios in which the worm is depicted give way to glimpses of the real life characteristics of a worm such as not having to go to the dentist because worms have no teeth. Interaction with other creatures leads to one of my favorite parts when the worm boy says good morning to an ant and then the other 600 ants that follow!

It is not surprising to have Doreen Cronin create another wonderful text after already having successes with CLICK, CLACK MOO: COWS THAT TYPE and GIGGLE, GIGGLE, QUACK. Harry Bliss continues to provide delightful and warm illustrations (including the scrapbook like pictures at the beginning and the end of the book) as in A FINE, FINE SCHOOL.

DIARY OF A WORM, especially for PreK through 3rd grade, lends itself as a great example for teachers to use to introduce and model "Voice", one of the "6 Traits of Writing", to students. It would be a great lead into students writing from the perspective of someone or something else. This book can also lend itself well to identifying and discussing humor using the delightful and amusing perspectives woven through it. Related activites could include the study of worms as well as comparison to other creatures such as spiders. The developmental assets of "self-esteem" and "personal power" from the "40 Developmental Assets" are supported by this book.

DIARY OF A WORM is entertaining and highly recommended!

There are some famous diarists out there, of course. But a diary of a worm? Turns out to be a great idea in this author's deft hands. A young worm - we know he's male by the baseball cap; his sister's is identified by her pink bow - offers young readers a hugely entertaining worm's-eye view of the world. We learn that the three best things about being a worm are never having to go to the dentist, never getting in trouble for tracking mud through the house, and never having to take a bath - traits that young children can appreciate. What "Diary" encompasses is a nifty mix of facts about earthworms and an entertaining anthropomorphized account of a worm family. (The young worm is no fonder of homework than his human counterparts.) Important points are gently reinforced - good manners, Truly hilarious illustrations (the Secret Service worms sport regulation dark glasses and earpieces) enhance the charm. This is an outstanding writer-illustrator team (Harry Bliss is an award-winning cartoonists for The New Yorker) that has, not surprisingly, been on the New York Times best-seller list more than once.

This book is just hilarious! Other reviews have described the content of the book, so I won't cover that, but I will say we've read it nightly for a week (a la "Five in A Row" by Jane Lambert) and it has launched discussions and research into the following:

1. Worms, what they are really like, how they live, etc...

2. Perspective - in the author, who came up with the hilarious idea of a diary by a worm, and in the illustrator, who drew wonderful pictures from a worm's point of view - particularly the one of girls playing hopscotch and the worms' look of horror in the foreground.

3. Diaries, their value, why people keep them

4. Secret Service men, who they are and what they do

5. Vocabulary words

6. Manners

The kids (even the reluctant writer) are now busy trying to write their own diaries from the point of view of an ant and a chessboard rook.

I think I originally bought this book at a library book sale so that I'd have it to release through BookCrossing, but then I read it. It was so cute that I didn't want to part with it. Finally, I met the author at a book festival and bought a second, signed copy. She undoubtedly thought I was nuts, but the Hokey Pokey at the school dance is worth the cost of the book! Honestly, it's the best book starring a worm as the title character that I've ever read.

There have been tow more opposite friends than Worm and Spider. Each are unique in many ways but not the same ways as each other.

Worm keeps a diary which is hilarious to read.

Written by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Harry Bliss and published as a Joanna Cotler Book.

#PB #friendship #unique #funny #worms

There are some famous diarists out there, of course. But a diary of a worm? Turns out to be a great idea in this author's deft hands. A young worm - we know he's male by the baseball cap; his sister's is identified by her pink bow - offers young readers a hugely entertaining worm's-eye view of the world. We learn that the three best things about being a worm are never having to go to the dentist, never getting in trouble for tracking mud through the house, and never having to take a bath - traits that young children can appreciate. What "Diary" encompasses is a nifty mix of facts about earthworms and an entertaining anthropomorphized account of a worm family. (The young worm is no fonder of homework than his human counterparts.) Important points are gently reinforced - good manners, Truly hilarious illustrations (the Secret Service worms sport regulation dark glasses and earpieces) enhance the charm. This is an outstanding writer-illustrator team (Harry Bliss is an award-winning cartoonists for The New Yorker) that has, not surprisingly, been on the New York Times best-seller list more than once.

My daughter is a "Critter Whisperer". Loves anything that wiggles, crawls, creeps, flies, you name it. And worms are no exception. So the first day we had this we read it three times that day. And she requested the following three days. She loves this book. Spider and Worm give a fun way to look at nature from a different POV. Mrs. Cronin has a great series here with Diary of a Worm and Diary of a Spider.

After borrowing a very worn copy from the library, I decided to buy a copy for my grandson who is 5 and beginning to read. The illustrations are hilarious. There is a lot of detail in the drawings which makes it fun to see what you can find. It's silly and fun. It's one of those books that have enough light satire to keep adults entertained as well as kids.

The cover of this book shows the worm sitting and writting. In the book, the worm writes his thoughts in a journal, and he does it in a humorous way. The worm uses imagery to project his thoughts and feelings throughout his journal. The Diary of a Worm can be used to teach children how to write in their journals. Students are able to see the importance of using imagery in their journals. Students learn how to date their journals and write what they are feeling as they read the book. It can also be used in an unit about plants. The worm describes how he digs his way through the earth which helps the earth breath. It teaches students the importance of responsibility, friendship, and self-discipline. Students learn about responsibility when the worm forgets his lunch money. When the worm eats his homework, he has to write sentences for his teacher. Throughout the story, the worm remains friends with a spider. He tries to teach the spider how to dig a hole but all the spider can do is get his legs stuck and swallow dirt. The spider tries to teach the worm how to walk upside down but the worm falls. The worm learns the importance of self-discipline when he forgets his lunch, eats too much at night, and when he gets into an argument with his best friend. The illustrations are drawn in a comical way to show how the worm feels in different situations. Readers are able to see when the worm is sad, mad, happy, or scared by looking at the worms face. My students really enjoy hearing this story read to them.

The cover of this book shows the worm sitting and writting. In the book, the worm writes his thoughts in a journal, and he does it in a humorous way. The worm uses imagery to project his thoughts and feelings throughout his journal. The Diary of a Worm can be used to teach children how to write in their journals. Students are able to see the importance of using imagery in their journals. Students learn how to date their journals and write what they are feeling as they read the book. It can also be used in an unit about plants. The worm describes how he digs his way through the earth which helps the earth breath. It teaches students the importance of responsibility, friendship, and self-discipline. Students learn about responsibility when the worm forgets his lunch money. When the worm eats his homework, he has to write sentences for his teacher. Throughout the story, the worm remains friends with a spider. He tries to teach the spider how to dig a hole but all the spider can do is get his legs stuck and swallow dirt. The spider tries to teach the worm how to walk upside down but the worm falls. The worm learns the importance of self-discipline when he forgets his lunch, eats too much at night, and when he gets into an argument with his best friend. The illustrations are drawn in a comical way to show how the worm feels in different situations. Readers are able to see when the worm is sad, mad, happy, or scared by looking at the worms face. My students really enjoy hearing this story read to them.

This is an excellent book for both boys & girls. In a whimsical manner the reader/listeners are taken through a worm's world showing all from the trivial to the most important aspects of their lives. With his little red baseball cap, our subject says good morning to a line of ants one at a time taking him all day. He points out the dangers he faces and explains his most important jobs. What an excelent way to learn about such an unusual creature in our world. Good for story times for 5 & 6 year olds as well.

One of the challenges of reading a great children's book is that you may have to read it to your child hundreds of times. My daughter repeatedly picked this book throughout the day, and I was more than happy to read it. We both enjoyed the book - she became familiar with the diary format and learned a great deal about worms, and I was able to laugh at all the humorous observations the worm makes about his life.

This book also comes with a CD, and she enjoyed listening to that as she flipped through the pages and matched the sounds with the pictures.

Doreen Cronin has done it again with this unique tale that takes you inside the life of a young earthworm. You learn of the many dangers a worm has to endure like hopsctotch and fishing season. The fun of scaring little girls and making your best friend spider laugh so hard he falls from his tree. You find out many hilarious things like worms can't chew gum or hang upside down like spider. You'll laugh out loud when veiwing this comical story.

The most entertaining, truly hilarious picture book I have picked up in a long time! This one crosses the line of humor, in that small children, to whom it is being read, will "get it," but the adults reading will be howling. I always enjoy a Cronin read, but she has surpassed herself this time. Favorite entry in the diary: his comments on his sister's enjoying her own reflection.