Darwin's Super-Pooping Worm Spectacular

By Author / Illustrator

Polly Owen, Gwen Millward

Genre

Non Fiction

Age range(s)

Publisher

Wide Eyed Editions

ISBN

9780711288393

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

20-06-2024

Synopsis

Learn the funny and fascinating story of Charles Darwin and the groundbreaking discoveries that resulted from his love of the humble worm in this hilarious, illustrated children's book. Charles Darwin is widely known for his Origin of Species book, yet Darwin had another great love, and that was for worms. Told for the first time for children, this is the silly and fascinating true story of how Charles Darwin came to discover that the humble earthworm is the most important species on our planet.

Darwin suspected worms were special but his scientist friends laughed at him. In a quest to find out the worms' special talent, Darwin played the bassoon to the worms to see if they could hear, laid out a picnic treasure hunt for them to see how well they could smell, among many other bizarre but entirely true experiments. But so far Darwin didn't find anything extra special about worms. Until, one day he realised that worms do have a superpower. They POO! Without their life-sustaining, nutrient-rich poo, there would be no plants and no animals on earth.

Darwin's 40 years studying worms is still essential to our understanding of worms today, and ever since, scientists have taken him VERY seriously, and never again laughed at his love of worms. The story of Darwin and the worms not only centres around the perennially brilliant subject of poo, which teaches children about a key historic figure, the food cycle and deductive scientific thinking.

It is also a heartwarming story of the triumph of a zany underdog who won't let bullies get in the way of his love for worms, and is told in a humorous and engaging way, with nonfiction information on each page to help educate alongside the story. The book features charming and humorous full-colour illustrations. Curious minds will love this fact-filled, laugh-out-loud book.

Reviews

Wendy

Darwin's Super Pooping Worm Spectacular - now available in paperback - is a very niche book, which will appeal to a very particular group of children. It tells the story of Charles Darwin's fascination with earthworms, particularly their poo, which he worked out was the key to growing strong, healthy plants. His studies led him to the conclusion that the humble earthworm is the most important species of all; without worms there would be no plants and therefore no animals on Earth.

This book is informative and engaging; budding scientists or natural history enthusiasts will pore over every page, taking in all the detail in the rich and vibrant illustrations. It's a great birthday gift for a child like that or a fantastic addition to a school library. And let's be honest; what child wouldn't want to hear the story of a super pooping worm spectacular?

32 pages / Reviewed by Wendy Kelly, teacher