The Disgusting Critters series is hilarious and informative. See also: Burt the Beetle Doesn't Bite by Ashley Spires, We Dig Worms! by Kevin McCloskey. Trim size is closer to a typical early reader than a picture book; despite the small trim, the pages are uncluttered, with plenty of space around the illustrations, and interesting typography. ( )

This is a good book for the students to learn all about these night crawlers. In my class, we have just learned about decomposers. I think transitioning into worms and more about them would be a cool way to start talking about different ways animals look. They could compare this book to other books by the other for a great study! ( )

The Worm is a science non-fiction book for young children about different types of worms. Each page containing a new worm and real facts about them. The illustrations are not actual warms but bright, humorous drawings of the worms. Even though the words are facts the images are less accurate because the worms have eyes and talk but it's for children. I think its great to teach kids about different types of worms instead of them assuming that there is only one type of worm. They can even go home and research more information about worms to share with the class. ( )

I was a little doubtful when I first heard about this series, but having read it I am completely on board with its unique layout and subject.

The series, Disgusting Critters, features a number of "critters" from head lice to...worms!

The endpapers of this title are nicely wormy, with cheerful pink worms squirming across the page. A friendly pink worm greets readers and we learn many interesting facts, with longer vocabulary (skeleton, invertebrate, photoreceptors, etc.) highlighted boldly in the text. As the simple information is presented on the left side of the page, the worm carries on a running commentary on the right.

The art really makes this story. The background is a plain light green and brown, but shows up the pink worm nicely. Not only are its comments hilarious, but the accompanying art adds another humorous dimension. On the spread where we learn about earthworm vision (they have no eyes but sense light with photoreceptors) the worm buries its head in a bag, saying "No eyes? that can't be true. I'm sure I had some eyes around here somewhere. Hmm. Let me look..."

Audience on this one is a little tricky. The book is a trim size, slightly shorter than the average easy reader, but about the same length. The simple text also lends itself to the easy reader designation. However, it does have some significantly challenging vocabulary. On the other hand, it's likely to be lost in a typical juvenile nonfiction section because of the smaller format. On the whole, I'd put it in an easy reader nonfiction section, assuming you have one, and probably just in easy reader fiction if not. Fans of Elephant and Piggie will be attracted by the comic format and humor and nonfiction readers will enjoy challenging themselves to learn the facts on each page.

Verdict: A fun start to a delightful new series which I wish I'd discovered sooner. Recommended.

ISBN: 9781770496330; Published 2014 by Tundra; Borrowed from another library in my consortium

Full of details and glimpses into the world of worms, this was a very popular book with my preK and K clientele. This text has a healthy collection of informational text combined with strong illustrations. Great for any home or classroom library. ( )