Diary of a Worm

Doreen Cronin, creator of such picture-book hits as Click, Clack, Moo and Giggle, Giggle, Quack, turns here to the day-to-day life of a worm, chronicling his many earth-bound adventures in this amusing and educational diary. Opening in March, with the three things that Worm's mother wants him to always remember - that the earth provides everything worms need, that worms care for the earth by digging tunnels, that little worms should never bother Daddy when he's eating the newspaper - the story follows its lumbricine hero through half of the year, concluding in August with a reminder that while people may forget worms, the earth is always aware of them...

By turns humorous and informative, Diary of a Worm offers an entertaining tale of a show more little earthworm, with plenty of funny details - Worm trying to walk upside down like his friend Spider, Worm eating his homework one day - that contribute to the feeling of fun, as well as an overarching narrative, beginning and ending with the earth, that serves to subtly reinforce the important role of earthworms in the ecology. The artwork by Harry Bliss is colorful and likewise humorous, with plenty of entertaining details - mother worm's note to her son, instructing him to eat all of his trash; Worm's "passing" grade in composting, seen on his report-card on the decorative end-papers - that will have readers/perusers who notice them chuckling. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories that will amuse and educate the younger picture-book audience. show less

Have you ever stopped to wonder what life would be like if you were a worm? That’s exactly what Doreen Cronin does in her picture book, Diary of a Worm. The main character is a young worm in a red baseball hat, whose journal creates the body of the book. Readers discover the panic that ensues during fishing season, the pros and cons of being a worm, and what happens when a worm’s home is flooded by water among many other things. Worm attends school, has an older sister who is annoying, and a best friend, Spider, with whom he has comedic misadventures. Worm experiences common feelings such as jealousy of Spider’s legs and ability to hang upside down, but realizes that he also has attributes that are admirable.
Light-hearted, witty, show more and fast-paced, Diary of a Worm addresses both every-day issues normal children face as well as those specific to young worms, while providing an entertaining education about the role worms play in taking care of the earth. Harry Bliss’ illustrations are colorful and often funny, and it is safe to say that worms have never looked so cute and appealing. The next time someone who has read this book encounters a worm on a sidewalk on a sunny day, they are likely to stop and put it back in the grass, so that it can continue its important work for the earth. With thoughtful details put into every aspect of the book, Diary of a Worm is a delight to read and is perfect for children who are looking for an up-beat character they can relate to. Recommended for PreS – 4. show less

I know this is a bold statement, but this book just became one of my favorites. This story is informational, but also has a fun plot to it. The book had me laughing from the time I looked at the very first page; to the time I closed the book. The book is written as a diary so the author includes images of some of the worm’s life events. Those images include his first day of school, baby pictures, and his first tunnel. Each page has a date on it and the life even that the worm experienced that day. On March 20th, the worm writes that his mom says there are three things he should always remember. Those things are that, “the earth gives us everything we need, when we dig tunnels, we help take care of the earth and never bother Daddy show more when he is eating the paper”. The author wrote the story in the first person point of view of the worm so we get to hear about everything the worm experiences in his daily routines. This helps the readers to learn about the life of a worm, but in a more relaxed fashion. It is like getting to know the worm on a more personal level so it makes it more fun and relaxing to learn new facts. I enjoyed the illustrations because some of the images are made to look like photographs and made the story seem more realistic. This fit the mood of the story since it is written as a diary and on a personal level instead of just a informational book that spits facts out at you. The font wasn’t boring, which made you feel like you were really reading someone’s handwriting in his or her diary. The big idea of this book was to learn about the life of a worm, but it also teaches children something bigger than that. This book teaches children that learning can be fun and doesn’t have to be something they dread. They might read this book for pure entertainment and then realize that they just learned all these new facts about worms. show less

Kristy Pratt
Due 2/3/15
Reading Log Opinion Response for Diary of a Worm
By Doreen Cronin

I did not have to decide whether or not I enjoyed the book, Diary of a Worm, since I found myself smiling throughout the entire story. It was not only funny, but organized and cleanly written with detailed illustrations that brought the story and characters to life. The book is written in diary-form, from the first-person point of view of Worm. Through his intermittent diary entries, the reader learns of his family, friends, and the everyday life from a worm’s perspective.
The reader is forced to smile from the very beginning for several reasons. The author opens with Worm’s first diary entry stating, “Mom says there are three things I should show more always remember: 1.The earth gives us everything we need. 2. When we dig tunnels, we help take care of the earth. 3. Never bother Daddy when he’s eating the newspaper.” Immediatley, the reader is touched by the sentimental idea of the how the earth provides for us and then how a simple worm contributes to the earth’s well-being, and finally, the reader continues to smile with the humorous picture and line about his father eating the newspaper. Although the story is written for an early elementary age group, the theme of “funny, sentimental everyday life” repeated throughout the book, makes it very enjoyable for readers of any age.
In addition to the text written with a humorous and innocent voice, it is cleanly organized. Each page spread is comprised of one dated entry and consists of only a few simple sentences and illustrations. Although the text is simple, between the words and the accompanying pictures, the message is strong. A great example of this is the March 29 entry, where Worm unsuccessfully tries to teach his friend, Spider, how to dig. In the last sentence, Worm states, “Tomorrow he’s going to teach me how to walk upside down.” On the next page spread, March 30, the single entry reads, “Worms cannot walk upside down.” The simple sentence is paired with a beautiful and detailed illustration that fills two pages of Worm, who has fallen from a large tree branch, being suspended in the air by Spider’s web so that he does not fall. Both characters have fearful expressions on their face, letting the reader understand the severity of the situation. In addition, the picture details the farmland below and the hills in the distance all in soft, but powerful shades of color. I found myself studying this page longer than any other in the story.
In conclusion, this book was very enjoyable and although it is not realistic for a worm to write a diary, it gives human characteristics to another living thing and allows the reader to see the world from another perspective. It also allows the reader to relate to the ups and downs of everyday life with family and friends. show less

Very cute book! I liked the characterization of the worm and how his activities and experiences parallel that of human children. I chuckled quite a bit and I'm glad I read this book. It's a really cute read.

This book is so precious! I grabbed it when I saw it in a Little Free Library because I remember having such delightful times reading another book, Diary of a Spider, by this same author to my grandson when he was much smaller.

What makes this book stand out is that it is hilarious! The drawings are perfect. The messages are realistic, but they do have just a bit of mischief in them. This is a book I'm saving to share with my granddughter as I'm 100% sure she will love it.

This such an adorable and fun book! You're reading the daily journaling of a cute little, ball cap wearing, Earthworm.

This book is filled with well done humor that is relatable to both children and the adults in their lives. Children will delight in finding the similarities between their own lives and the little worms. The illustrations add great visuals to the story.

We really love this one.....I'd love more stories about our little bilateral ground dwelling friend....maybe a series.