Superworm

Superworm

"An unlikely hero, Superworm, saves the day in all kinds of ways. He is beloved by his garden friends who then get a chance to come to Superworm's rescue when he is kidnapped by an evil lizard. A story of friendship and helping each other with a message that anyone can be a superhero." - Seira Wilson, Amazon EditorToad in trouble? Beetle in a jam? Never fear -- Superworm is here! And he's wiggling to the rescue!But when Superworm is captured by a wicked Wizard Lizard, will his friends find a way to help their favorite superhero escape?From the creators ofThe Gruffalo andRoom on the Broom, a super new adventure with a wriggly, squiggly hero you'll never forget.From School Library JournalPreS-Gr 3-The team behind The Gruffalo (Dial, 2005) returns with a slightly slimy superhero who will (literally) worm his way into your heart. It's Superworm! He rescues toads and beetles from peril and young bees from boredom. The insects clap and cheer for their very own invertebrate champion, inciting the ire of the Wizard Lizard and his henchman crow, who kidnap Superworm for their own sinister devices. The toads, slugs, earwigs, and other bugs band together to rescue the hero, with a cunning plan to wrap the villain in honey and spiderwebs and relegate him to the rubbish heap (the slugs help by eating the wizard's flower wand). All is right with the world as Superworm returns to act as swing, slide, and hula hoop for his adoring fans. The illustrations are charming and detailed (look for a gruffalo in the garbage dump), with earwigs and beetles managing to look entomologically accurate as well as cute and cuddly. The story line and rhyme are not as engaging as in Room on the Broom (Dial, 2001), but young insect lovers and fans of Doreen Cronin's Diary of a Worm (HarperCollins, 2003) and other buggy tales will be thoroughly entertained.-Martha Link Yesowitch, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, NCFrom BooklistSuperworm is a popular member of his community. With his long, supple body, he can entertain by serving as a jump rope, a hula hoop, or a slide, while also being helpful by fishing fallen insects out of a well and becoming a lasso to save a baby toad from an impending bicycle accident. When the Wizard Lizard captures our hero in order to cast a spell and make him do the lizard?s bidding, Superworm?s many friends, including grasshoppers, snails, and honeybees, have to hatch a plan to save their buddy. Told in well-scanning, rhyming couplets, this tale of friends helping friends is a joy to read aloud and will be welcomed by children in group or one-on-one sharing. Saturated, boldly colored cartoon illustrations reveal googly-eyed insects who live together in harmony, once they rid themselves of a pesky lizard. Read this along with Crichtor (1958) by Tomi Ungerer for a storytime about long, lithe, and helpful characters.Read this title along with Crichtor for a storytime about helpful reptiles Preschool-Kindergarten. --Maryann OwenReviewPraise forA Gold Star for ZogANew York Times Notable Children's Book of 2012"Donaldson, the current children's laureate in Britain, is a master of witty comic rhyme and original stories with heart. Here she and Scheffler outdo themselves with the smart, funny -- dare I say, deep? -- story of a dragon in training, a princess who wants to be a doctor and a knight who could use a bit of rescuing. The book gets a gold star too." --New York Times"A delightful new twist on happily-ever-after." --School Library JournalPraise forTabby McTat, The Musical Cat"A surprising and fun read.... [Scheffler's] bright-eyed, warmhearted characterizations make this a wonderful testimony to the ties that bind." --Publishers Weekly"The team behindRoom on the Broom pair up again in what has become a near-annual ritual of picture book perfection.... Impeccable rhythm and rhyme distinguish this particular tale, filled, as always, with Donaldson's exemplary humor and h