10 Wiggly and Wonderful Picture Books About Worms
by Lindsay Barrett
Nature-obsessed children will love these books about worms. The wiggly little critters are endlessly fascinating to kids, whether they spot them on the sidewalk after a rainstorm or happen upon one while digging. Leaning into kids’ interest in worms is well worth it. Worms are readily available in nature, remarkably resilient to kids’ hands-on exploration, and they’re interesting to observe and learn about. This list of books about worms has something for everyone. You’ll find friendly introductions to fictional worms and fascinating nonfiction that teaches budding scientists how earthworms and other worms play integral roles in our ecosystem.
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Best Lowly Worm Book Ever!
Available from:Lowly Worm deserves his own book! Young readers can learn about his life in Busytown, from getting dressed each day in his columnar shirt and trouser to bending himself every which way to help all the busy workers.
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The Worm Family Has Its Picture Taken
Available from:An earthworm family decides to have a family portrait taken, but they worry it won’t be special. After all, worms don’t have teeth to smile, hair to style, or bright colors to show off. This sweet story is about being proud of yourself — whether you’re a worm or anything else.
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Worm Weather
Available from:This book introduces young puddle-stompers to a special kind of weather: Worm weather! The rhyming text follows two kids who make the most of a rainy day. It’s perfect for encouraging kids to get outside after (or during) a rainstorm to hunt for worms.
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How to Say Hello to a Worm
Available from:Gardening with kids is valuable, but setting realistic expectations goes a long way toward creating a successful gardening experience. This book gently introduces kids to planting a food garden and reminds them to be gentle towards the earthworms and other creatures they encounter.
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What About Worms!? (Elephant & Piggie Like Reading!)
Available from:Many kids adore worms, but some do not. This is the book for them! Tiger is brave, big, and not afraid of anything — except worms. He worries about worms when he’s gardening, eating apples, and even when he’s reading! The silly ending might convince kids that their worm hang-ups aren’t as worrisome as they thought.
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We Dig Worms!
Available from:Part of the fun and informative Giggle and Learn series, this title shares tons of fun facts about worms. Did you know worms feel light through their skin? That they have two kinds of stomachs and five pairs of hearts? Or that over one million worms could live in a small park? You’ll never look at these unassuming creatures the same way again.
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Yucky Worms
Available from:Grandmothers know best — even when it comes to worms. When a child suggests throwing away an earthworm from the garden, Grandma explains why worms are welcome garden residents, from their soil-boosting castings to the tunnels they dig. Kids will want to explore worms like the young gardener in the book.
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This Is a Book to Read with a Worm
Available from:The opening pages of this book instruct readers to pause their reading, go outside, and find a worm to study. It encourages kids to feel the worm’s bump-bump-bumpy rings, put it in a clear bag and shine a flashlight on it to see its digestive system, and set up a worm hotel to see worm tunneling in action. It’s a ready-made, hands-on science lesson for curious kids.
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The Worm (Disgusting Critters)
Available from:This title is part of the Disgusting Critters series, a must-read collection for creature-loving kids. Cute, comic-book-style illustrations and well-chosen facts introduce various worms, with extra emphasis on earthworms. The hilarious quips and jokes throughout make the information memorable for young scientists.
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Curious About Worms
Available from:This nonfiction tribute to the world’s worms will help kids take their worm knowledge to the next level. It’s interesting enough to be an engaging read-aloud, and the photos are impressive — especially the extreme close-ups!
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