{"id":4300086739023,"title":"This Is a Book to Read with a Worm","handle":"this-is-a-book-to-read-with-a-worm","description":"\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/jodi-wheeler-toppen\"\u003eJodi Wheeler-Toppen\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/margaret-mccartney\"\u003eMargaret McCartney\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIf you can find a worm, you can be a scientist!\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFoster a love of animals and science with this charming activity guide for finding and observing earthworms. Hands-on experiments help young biologists answer questions like \"Which end is which?\" and \"Do worms make noise?\" Insider tips encourage readers to think like a scientist and handle living things with care. Equally entertaining with or without a worm friend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/youre-invited-to-a-moth-ball\"\u003eYou're Invited to a Moth Ball!\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/bugs-dont-hug-br-font-size-2-six-legged-parents-and-their-kids-font\"\u003eBugs Don't Hug: Six-Legged Parents and Their Kids\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/this-is-a-book-to-read-with-a-worm-spread.jpg?2454\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJodi Wheeler-Toppen, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJodi Wheeler-Toppen is a science teacher and science writer with a passion for helping young people become confident science readers and writers. Her many books for curious kids include \u003ci\u003eCat Science Unleashed\u003c\/i\u003e,\u003ci\u003e Dog Science Unleashed\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eEdible Science\u003c\/i\u003e,\u003ci\u003e Recycled Science\u003c\/i\u003e, and the Our Amazing Senses series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/jodi-wheeler-toppen\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Jodi.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMargaret McCartney, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMargaret McCartney studied illustration at Rhode Island School of Design. Her design work has appeared on everything from garden gloves to comics to her own line of children's wear, Winter Water Factory. \u003ci\u003eThis Is a Book to Read With a Worm\u003c\/i\u003e is her first book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/margaret-mccartney\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Margaret.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders are encouraged to find a worm and to employ careful observation techniques.Immediately after the title page, a bespectacled worm wearing a blue scarf—it acts as commentator throughout—reminds readers to be gentle when picking up worms and to return them safely to their places of origin after studying them. (Environmentally conscious endnotes both suggest acquiring a worm from a bait shop if one is not available outside and caution against introducing these worms into the natural environment.) Two children, one black and one white, look out toward readers as if hearing the words printed above them: \"Stop! To read this book you are going to need a worm.\" Indeed, without a worm in hand, half of the text becomes moot. Readers—along with the two children—are urged to run a finger along the worm's body; to stare into the worm's \"face\"; to carefully observe worm sensitivities to alcohol fumes and light beams; to listen for the bristles called setae by holding up a paper-wrapped worm to an ear; to create a one-night, dirt-filled worm hotel in a clear plastic bottle. For a book that seems otherwise eco-conscious, it is a surprise that a glass jar used with care is not recommended over plastic. As the gently humorous text gives directions and nature facts, the whimsical worm's speech bubbles offer vocabulary pronunciations and tips about keeping worms healthy while they are under surveillance. The graphic art is lively and colorful, well matched with the text. For exciting, optimal use, expect brown-edged pages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eBooklist\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Stop! To read this book you are going to need a worm,” this succinct guide instructs readers. After being advised to be gentle with their wriggly subject, readers follow along as two friends, an African American boy and a white girl, find a worm and learn about its body and habits. While Wheeler-Toppen’s (\u003ci\u003eRecycled Science\u003c\/i\u003e) book takes the form of a story, each double-page spread imparts one main idea and accompanying instructions and facts. Large-scale diagrams show the parts of a worm, and insets offer extra facts, worm-anatomy terms with pronunciation, and tips about how to care for the creatures (a cartoon worm appears occasionally to offer advice and thanks). A closing spread takes a more traditional approach, offering information about how worms reproduce and how to distinguish among worm species. The clear, pleasing illustrations throughout are done in muted primary colors and earth tones, complementing the book’s message to be kind when dealing with nature. A classroom study of worms could benefit from this book, alongside Vivian French’s \u003ci\u003eYucky Worms\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJust in time for spring, Wheeler-Toppen (Cat Science Unleashed) invites young scientists to head outside for an up-close-and-personal earthworm encounter. Her interactive activity guide uses a conversational narrative to speak directly to readers. “Run your fingers across your worm’s back. Feel the bump-bump-bump as you slide across the rings.” McCartney’s picture book debut employs digitally colored ink and pencil cartoons featuring a pair of curious children who carefully observe and enact the suggested mini-experiments. Materials such as a wet paper towel, flashlight, plastic bag, and cotton swab are used to learn about a worm’s sensory reactions and locomotion, culminating in the final project: making an overnight “worm hotel” from a plastic bottle. Speech-bubble asides from a worm in fashionable John Lennon glasses and scarf provide additional facts and occasional humor. Though prefaced with a note reminding experimenters to “Treat me gently and... put me back where you found me,” these hands-on observations of a living creature are likely most appropriate alongside a monitoring grown-up. Illustrated back matter anticipates further questions with plenty more worm facts and a resource list.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"This Is a Book to Read with a Worm book cover\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/this-book-read-worm-cvr.jpg?2454\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/this-book-read-worm-cvr-hires.jpg.zip?2454\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/this-book-read-worm-hotel-activity.pdf?4132\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eMake a Worm Hotel!\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-897-3\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE-book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-63289-770-1\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 5-8\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e11 x 8 1\/2\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]","published_at":"2019-10-22T16:45:23-04:00","created_at":"2019-10-22T16:45:23-04:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Ages 3-6","Browse by Age_Ages 6-10","Browse by Fiction\/Nonfiction_Nonfiction","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_Early Childhood","Browse by Subject_Science \u0026 Nature"],"price":1699,"price_min":1699,"price_max":1699,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":30949007786063,"title":"Hardcover","option1":"Hardcover","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"98973","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":13261644857423,"product_id":4300086739023,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-10-22T16:50:13-04:00","updated_at":"2020-04-13T15:26:21-04:00","alt":"This Is a Book to Read with a Worm cover image","width":1688,"height":1313,"src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ThisIsBooktoReadWorm_150_fnl.jpg?v=1586805981","variant_ids":[30949007786063]},"available":true,"name":"This Is a Book to Read with a Worm - Hardcover","public_title":"Hardcover","options":["Hardcover"],"price":1699,"weight":567,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":19,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"978-1-58089-897-3","featured_media":{"alt":"This Is a Book to Read with a Worm cover image","id":5422985117775,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.286,"height":1313,"width":1688,"src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ThisIsBooktoReadWorm_150_fnl.jpg?v=1586805981"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ThisIsBooktoReadWorm_150_fnl.jpg?v=1586805981"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ThisIsBooktoReadWorm_150_fnl.jpg?v=1586805981","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":"This Is a Book to Read with a Worm cover image","id":5422985117775,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.286,"height":1313,"width":1688,"src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ThisIsBooktoReadWorm_150_fnl.jpg?v=1586805981"},"aspect_ratio":1.286,"height":1313,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ThisIsBooktoReadWorm_150_fnl.jpg?v=1586805981","width":1688}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/jodi-wheeler-toppen\"\u003eJodi Wheeler-Toppen\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/margaret-mccartney\"\u003eMargaret McCartney\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIf you can find a worm, you can be a scientist!\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFoster a love of animals and science with this charming activity guide for finding and observing earthworms. Hands-on experiments help young biologists answer questions like \"Which end is which?\" and \"Do worms make noise?\" Insider tips encourage readers to think like a scientist and handle living things with care. Equally entertaining with or without a worm friend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/youre-invited-to-a-moth-ball\"\u003eYou're Invited to a Moth Ball!\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/bugs-dont-hug-br-font-size-2-six-legged-parents-and-their-kids-font\"\u003eBugs Don't Hug: Six-Legged Parents and Their Kids\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/this-is-a-book-to-read-with-a-worm-spread.jpg?2454\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJodi Wheeler-Toppen, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJodi Wheeler-Toppen is a science teacher and science writer with a passion for helping young people become confident science readers and writers. Her many books for curious kids include \u003ci\u003eCat Science Unleashed\u003c\/i\u003e,\u003ci\u003e Dog Science Unleashed\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eEdible Science\u003c\/i\u003e,\u003ci\u003e Recycled Science\u003c\/i\u003e, and the Our Amazing Senses series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/jodi-wheeler-toppen\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Jodi.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMargaret McCartney, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMargaret McCartney studied illustration at Rhode Island School of Design. Her design work has appeared on everything from garden gloves to comics to her own line of children's wear, Winter Water Factory. \u003ci\u003eThis Is a Book to Read With a Worm\u003c\/i\u003e is her first book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/margaret-mccartney\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Margaret.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders are encouraged to find a worm and to employ careful observation techniques.Immediately after the title page, a bespectacled worm wearing a blue scarf—it acts as commentator throughout—reminds readers to be gentle when picking up worms and to return them safely to their places of origin after studying them. (Environmentally conscious endnotes both suggest acquiring a worm from a bait shop if one is not available outside and caution against introducing these worms into the natural environment.) Two children, one black and one white, look out toward readers as if hearing the words printed above them: \"Stop! To read this book you are going to need a worm.\" Indeed, without a worm in hand, half of the text becomes moot. Readers—along with the two children—are urged to run a finger along the worm's body; to stare into the worm's \"face\"; to carefully observe worm sensitivities to alcohol fumes and light beams; to listen for the bristles called setae by holding up a paper-wrapped worm to an ear; to create a one-night, dirt-filled worm hotel in a clear plastic bottle. For a book that seems otherwise eco-conscious, it is a surprise that a glass jar used with care is not recommended over plastic. As the gently humorous text gives directions and nature facts, the whimsical worm's speech bubbles offer vocabulary pronunciations and tips about keeping worms healthy while they are under surveillance. The graphic art is lively and colorful, well matched with the text. For exciting, optimal use, expect brown-edged pages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eBooklist\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Stop! To read this book you are going to need a worm,” this succinct guide instructs readers. After being advised to be gentle with their wriggly subject, readers follow along as two friends, an African American boy and a white girl, find a worm and learn about its body and habits. While Wheeler-Toppen’s (\u003ci\u003eRecycled Science\u003c\/i\u003e) book takes the form of a story, each double-page spread imparts one main idea and accompanying instructions and facts. Large-scale diagrams show the parts of a worm, and insets offer extra facts, worm-anatomy terms with pronunciation, and tips about how to care for the creatures (a cartoon worm appears occasionally to offer advice and thanks). A closing spread takes a more traditional approach, offering information about how worms reproduce and how to distinguish among worm species. The clear, pleasing illustrations throughout are done in muted primary colors and earth tones, complementing the book’s message to be kind when dealing with nature. A classroom study of worms could benefit from this book, alongside Vivian French’s \u003ci\u003eYucky Worms\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJust in time for spring, Wheeler-Toppen (Cat Science Unleashed) invites young scientists to head outside for an up-close-and-personal earthworm encounter. Her interactive activity guide uses a conversational narrative to speak directly to readers. “Run your fingers across your worm’s back. Feel the bump-bump-bump as you slide across the rings.” McCartney’s picture book debut employs digitally colored ink and pencil cartoons featuring a pair of curious children who carefully observe and enact the suggested mini-experiments. Materials such as a wet paper towel, flashlight, plastic bag, and cotton swab are used to learn about a worm’s sensory reactions and locomotion, culminating in the final project: making an overnight “worm hotel” from a plastic bottle. Speech-bubble asides from a worm in fashionable John Lennon glasses and scarf provide additional facts and occasional humor. Though prefaced with a note reminding experimenters to “Treat me gently and... put me back where you found me,” these hands-on observations of a living creature are likely most appropriate alongside a monitoring grown-up. Illustrated back matter anticipates further questions with plenty more worm facts and a resource list.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"This Is a Book to Read with a Worm book cover\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/this-book-read-worm-cvr.jpg?2454\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/this-book-read-worm-cvr-hires.jpg.zip?2454\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/this-book-read-worm-hotel-activity.pdf?4132\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eMake a Worm Hotel!\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-897-3\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE-book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-63289-770-1\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 5-8\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e11 x 8 1\/2\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]"}

This Is a Book to Read with a Worm

By: Jodi Wheeler-Toppen / Illustrated by: Margaret McCartney

If you can find a worm, you can be a scientist!

Foster a love of animals and science with this charming activity guide for finding and observing earthworms. Hands-on experiments help young biologists answer questions like "Which end is which?" and "Do worms make noise?" Insider tips encourage readers to think like a scientist and handle living things with care. Equally entertaining with or without a worm friend.

Maximum quantity available reached.

Jodi Wheeler-Toppen, author

Jodi Wheeler-Toppen is a science teacher and science writer with a passion for helping young people become confident science readers and writers. Her many books for curious kids include Cat Science Unleashed, Dog Science Unleashed, Edible Science, Recycled Science, and the Our Amazing Senses series.

Read more about Jodi.


Margaret McCartney, illustrator

Margaret McCartney studied illustration at Rhode Island School of Design. Her design work has appeared on everything from garden gloves to comics to her own line of children's wear, Winter Water Factory. This Is a Book to Read With a Worm is her first book.

Read more about Margaret.

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Kirkus Reviews

Readers are encouraged to find a worm and to employ careful observation techniques.Immediately after the title page, a bespectacled worm wearing a blue scarf—it acts as commentator throughout—reminds readers to be gentle when picking up worms and to return them safely to their places of origin after studying them. (Environmentally conscious endnotes both suggest acquiring a worm from a bait shop if one is not available outside and caution against introducing these worms into the natural environment.) Two children, one black and one white, look out toward readers as if hearing the words printed above them: "Stop! To read this book you are going to need a worm." Indeed, without a worm in hand, half of the text becomes moot. Readers—along with the two children—are urged to run a finger along the worm's body; to stare into the worm's "face"; to carefully observe worm sensitivities to alcohol fumes and light beams; to listen for the bristles called setae by holding up a paper-wrapped worm to an ear; to create a one-night, dirt-filled worm hotel in a clear plastic bottle. For a book that seems otherwise eco-conscious, it is a surprise that a glass jar used with care is not recommended over plastic. As the gently humorous text gives directions and nature facts, the whimsical worm's speech bubbles offer vocabulary pronunciations and tips about keeping worms healthy while they are under surveillance. The graphic art is lively and colorful, well matched with the text. For exciting, optimal use, expect brown-edged pages.

Booklist

“Stop! To read this book you are going to need a worm,” this succinct guide instructs readers. After being advised to be gentle with their wriggly subject, readers follow along as two friends, an African American boy and a white girl, find a worm and learn about its body and habits. While Wheeler-Toppen’s (Recycled Science) book takes the form of a story, each double-page spread imparts one main idea and accompanying instructions and facts. Large-scale diagrams show the parts of a worm, and insets offer extra facts, worm-anatomy terms with pronunciation, and tips about how to care for the creatures (a cartoon worm appears occasionally to offer advice and thanks). A closing spread takes a more traditional approach, offering information about how worms reproduce and how to distinguish among worm species. The clear, pleasing illustrations throughout are done in muted primary colors and earth tones, complementing the book’s message to be kind when dealing with nature. A classroom study of worms could benefit from this book, alongside Vivian French’s Yucky Worms.

Publishers Weekly

Just in time for spring, Wheeler-Toppen (Cat Science Unleashed) invites young scientists to head outside for an up-close-and-personal earthworm encounter. Her interactive activity guide uses a conversational narrative to speak directly to readers. “Run your fingers across your worm’s back. Feel the bump-bump-bump as you slide across the rings.” McCartney’s picture book debut employs digitally colored ink and pencil cartoons featuring a pair of curious children who carefully observe and enact the suggested mini-experiments. Materials such as a wet paper towel, flashlight, plastic bag, and cotton swab are used to learn about a worm’s sensory reactions and locomotion, culminating in the final project: making an overnight “worm hotel” from a plastic bottle. Speech-bubble asides from a worm in fashionable John Lennon glasses and scarf provide additional facts and occasional humor. Though prefaced with a note reminding experimenters to “Treat me gently and... put me back where you found me,” these hands-on observations of a living creature are likely most appropriate alongside a monitoring grown-up. Illustrated back matter anticipates further questions with plenty more worm facts and a resource list.

Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-58089-897-3

E-book
ISBN: 978-1-63289-770-1

Ages: 5-8
Page count: 32
11 x 8 1/2