Wiggling Worms at Work (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)
Kindergarten-Grade 3--This is a great book marred by a few unclear pictures. The well-organized text explains how worms improve the quality of soil and covers the basics about the animal's body structure, movement, diet, and reproduction. The writing is clear and engaging; in one instance, Pfeffer compares the segments on a worm's body to "the coils on a Slinky toy." Although the collage artwork is visually appealing, some of the images are a bit confusing. In one illustration accompanying the explanation of how a worm tunnels, the creature looks as if it has been chopped in two or torn up. In another, it looks as if it is decomposing. The book ends with suggestions for examining a worm in the field and a science-fair-type project using castings. Better choices include Kevin Holmes'sEarthworms(Bridgestone, 1998), Michael Elsohn Ross'sWormology(Carolrhoda, 1996), and Bobbie Kalman'sSquirmy Wormy Composters(Crabtree, 1992; o.p.).--Jean Lowery, Bishop Woods Elementary School, New Haven, CTCopyright &copy; Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.