BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Cronin, Doreen. 2003. Diary of a Worm. Ill. by Harry Bliss. New York: Joanna Cotler Books.
PLOT SUMMARY:
The life of a worm is examined in Doreen Cronin’s Diary of a Worm. While the life of a worm is remarkably similar to the life a person there are some major differences. For example, worms tend to eat their homework, they never have to take a bath and they can even do the hokey pokey. Readers can follow along on a worm’s hilarious daily journey and learn how the “underground” lives.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Diary of a Worm is a humorous book about a worm that lives a life very similar to humans yet the author weaves in science facts about earth worms. Children who read and enjoy this book may never even know that they are learning lessons about worms. Harry Bliss’ colorful illustrations that accompany the story bring it alive for children and often contain humor that adults enjoy also. The illustrations even go beyond the pages as there are illustrations on the inside of the front and back covers as well. This picture book can be used as a tool to help teach younger children earth science lessons and to reinforce lessons to older students. Because the book is written in the form of a diary it can also be used to teach writing lessons. It can serve as an example of a diary, be used to introduce the concept of primary sources to young children. Most importantly, this story can be read to children to entertain them and get them interested in reading for pleasure.
AWARDS AND REVIEWS:
•School Library Journal Best Book
•Parents' Choice Silver Honor
•Nevada Young Readers’ Award
•IRA/CBC Children's Choice
•Buckaroo Book Award nominee (Wyoming)
School Library Journal:
"PreS-Gr 3-A down-to-earth invertebrate comments on friendship, family life, school, and his place in the universe. An amusing worm's-eye view of the world, with a tongue-in-cheek text and wry illustrations. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information. "
The New York Times:
"In Diary of a Worm, Doreen Cronin, the author of Click, Clack, Moo, teams up with Harry Bliss, a New Yorker cartoonist. They sprinkle tiny clods of digestible earthworm facts onto a happy wormworld that children will find reassuring, even alluring." — Bryn Barnard
Publishers Weekly:
Cronin's beguiling journal entries by a worm who can write are as witty and original as the missives from her popular cows who can type (Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type). With his red baseball cap and good-natured humor, the titular hero is a winning American Everyboy, and young readers will identify with his escapades in part because they mirror their own. Bliss's (A Fine, Fine School) clever endpapers feature photos of the worm on his first day of school and on a family vacation to Compost Island, as well as his report card (he gets an "A" for tunnel, a "Pass" for Squirming).
