The worm book: Nature's recycler by Karen Tayleur & Guy Holt

This wonderfully enticing book will show kids just what worms are and what they do. They are certainly Nature’s recyclers (sub title of the book). Published by Wild Dog, the book has a slightly larger than usual format, with a strong well bound cover and heavier pages. Holding it is a treat, and the front cover illustration will encourage further exploration.

After an informative introduction are seven chapters about a variety of worms: segmented worms (2 chapters), roundworms, ribbon worms, flatworms and then weird and wonderful worms. These chapters held me spellbound. Information is given in a breezy manner, holding the readers’ interest with wonderful facts : the earthworm has no legs or feet, and moves using the muscles in its body, worms produce cocoons which may contain up to 20 eggs. I can imagine a load of kids reading this together and being amazed.

The illustrations by Guy Holt will also attract any reader’s attention. He uses photographs and diagrams to accompany the text, and what photos! Check out the Ragworm on page 12, or the carnivorous flatworm on page 19.

All of this is followed by several pages of wonderful and weird facts: the human body is made up of 70% water, while a worm has 90% water, worms existed at the same time as dinosaurs which became extinct 230 million years ago.

Towards the end of this fascinating read is a section on making your own composting system and making your own worm farm. A glossary and index complete this fascinating, wonderfully visual and informative book. Teacher's notes are available.

Themes: Worms, Worm farms, Composting, Environment.

Fran Knight