November 11, 2024
The slithery pink narrator of this funny, slyly instructive gardening tale by Farley (Dozens of Doughnuts) gets straight to the point: “I’d like to make you a sandwich, all by myself.” In truth, Worm doesn’t assemble a sandwich (“I know what you’re thinking! You’re just a worm! Worms are so little! Worms don’t have hands”) so much as foreground its role in enriching the soil for growing a plump, sandwich-worthy tomato. As Worm provides running commentary (“The dirt is not for your sandwich. The dirt is for a wee little seed”), a series of lush, lightly annotated mixed-media illustrations depict a child with auburn pigtails and pale skin assembling a compost pile and cultivating a garden, and a number of other creatures playing their own roles. When the tomato finally ripens, and the child savors it al fresco between bread slices, Worm takes full credit: “I knew I could do it! I knew it all along.” But who can blame Worm? Small actions, taken by even the smallest among us, can add up to delicious results. Back matter provides additional composting information. Ages 3–7. Agent: Paul Rodeen, Rodeen Literary.
December 15, 2024
A worm explains composting. Worm sets out to make a sandwich for readers. But, as our protagonist points out, "worms don't have hands!" Luckily, a red-headed, light-skinned, ruddy-cheeked young gardener's on hand to assist. With self-deprecating charm, Worm describes the nuts and bolts of composting. Enter Worm's favorite food: garbage, but "just things from plants." After eating, Worm makes "delicious, nutritious poop," which becomes healthy dirt for the seeds that will grow the plants for the sandwich. Worm reminds readers that garbage, poop, and dirt are "not for your sandwich," while the seed, which will become a plant, will be "sort of...eventually." Farley effectively builds anticipation for the ultimate denouement, though impatient Worm's mettle is tested: "Why is this sandwich taking so long?...Where did I go wrong?...I'm so little...Maybe I can't make a sandwich." A lush spread follows, with a worm's-eye view of a pendulous tomato surrounded by yummy-looking greens. The young gardener, who assembles and eats the sandwich, provides leftovers--garbage to eat!--and the cycle begins anew for Worm. Farley's humorous illustrations include spot art, underground cutaways filled with comical, garbage-eating critters (who occasionally offer commentary), labels for various items, and magnified images of microbes and soil. A funny and clever process story. (more information on composting)(Informational picture book. 3-7)
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