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Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends: Ready-to-Read Graphics Level 1
Worm and Caterpillar are friends—best friends. Worm loves how they are just alike, but Caterpillar has a feeling there is a big change coming. Then Caterpillar disappears for a while and comes back as Butterfly. Will Butterfly and Worm still be friends?
64 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2023
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July 13, 2023
There is such a thing as being too well-informed about the history of children’s literature. I’ll give you an example. In 1972 a “picture book” was released called Hope for the Flowers by Trina Paulus. It was an allegorical book, meaning it was not really intended for kids. But if you were the child of hippies in the 70s or 80s then it’s 75% possible that this book made it into the regular roster of your reading, alongside The Lorax and The Table Where Rich People Sit. It’s the story of two caterpillars because, honestly, is there any better metaphor in existence than that? I think not! Caterpillars and their trajectory have inspired what may be the greatest picture book of all time (The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle) as well as modern classics like Becoming Charley by Kelly DiPuccio, The Very Impatient Caterpillar by Ross Burach, or my personal favorite the (now out of print) Adios, Oscar by Peter Elwell. But the metaphor, from the days of Eric Carle and hippy dippy Hope for the Flowers has always been the same. Caterpillars = personal metamorphosis. This is what I mean about being too well-informed about picture books. You get so bogged down in the same themes over and over again. Even the hippies were into it! It makes it hard to appreciate when folks are trying new things. But there is one book, at least, the eschews the easy metaphor for something a little more complicated. Better still, it isn’t even technically a picture book. It’s an easy book a.k.a. the most difficult genre of books for kids to write in (and I mean that truly). Worm and Caterpillar by Kaz Windness takes a dive into some well-worn territory of children’s literature and manages to forge an entirely new path that is entirely of its own making. A welcome entry in a thoroughly difficult format.
Worm’s pretty pleased. It has a best friend (name: Caterpillar) and the two are clearly exactly alike! “…we are the same!” declares Worm. Caterpillar responds, “We are not the same.” After all, Worm eats dirt and Caterpillar is “more of a leaf person”. True, they both fear birds, but while caterpillar has legs, worm crawls on its belly. And, as Caterpillar points out, “I like that we are different.” Being different doesn’t mean you can’t be friends. And as Caterpillar starts to change, that statement is put to the test. When Caterpillar emerges from a chrysalis, they’re now called Butterfly and they have wings and everything. And as Worm points out, they’re not really the same but “We never were, Butterfly.” And that’s okay! “I like you just as you are.”
Here is the problem with any easy book. You are charged, as an author, with creating a story with an enticing plot in as few words as humanly possible. There’s a rumor out there that Green Eggs and Ham was based on a dare that Dr. Seuss couldn’t use just 50 words to write a coherent story. Kaz Windness, fortunately, is not under such strict restrictions and, indeed, to read this book is to understand that different easy and beginning books start at different places. To read this particular book you’d need a rudimentary knowledge of how to read panels and speech balloons (and act that, in my experience, is far more difficult for adults than children). You also need to be accomplished enough to read words like “crawl”, “strange”, and “nectar.” To be honest, the word “Wormtastic” (which I think is in a section at the beginning intended for adults anyway) is the longest and most complicated in this book. I wouldn’t hand this to someone just at the very beginning of their reading career, but for a kid that’s graduated beyond “Hop on Pop” this is an excellent next step.
Now let’s do a little dig down now into the logistics of this book itself. First off, return to the fact that it is, in fact, an “easy book”. Your library may have a different term for these titles. They may call them “Beginning Books” or “Easy Readers”. In this case the book appears to be part of Simon & Schuster’s “Ready to Read Graphics” division. That means it has all the trappings of an easy book but with panels and speech balloons. Personally, I find it odd when publishers feel some sort of obligation to distinguish their easy readers in this way. There was a time when the vast majority of librarians, and even parents eschewed comic book formats and conventions. But in this current era of Marvel movies, can’t we finally declare the war over? This whole “Seduction of the Innocent” battle cry against comics lives on in the more conservative corners of our population, but for the most part folks understand that sequential storytelling is a boon not a bane on children’s literature as a whole. Besides, it distracts from what Kaz Windness is actually accomplishing here.
It doesn’t take a huge amount of imagination to see this book as a magnificent trans narrative, by the way. I know that’s taking the whole metamorphosis metaphor into a fairly obvious place, but the reason this book works far better than a lot of (more obvious) picture books or easy books out there is because it’s not about change itself. It’s about how your friends and family accept that change. Worm is a good strong ally to Butterfly. Realizing that Butterfly was telling the truth all along (that they weren’t the same) Worm comes to accept that change and embrace it. I prefer books where you can bring multiple interpretations to the final product. In this case? Mission accomplished.
Another book that this reminds me of is the nicely twisted but not entirely successful Tadpole’s Promise by Jeanne Willis. That book presented the idea of a tadpole and caterpillar growing up together and took it to a darker extreme than most of your regular run-of-the-mill stories (being British, it falls into that well-worn category we like to call Stories Where the Protagonist Gets Eaten). Of course the most literal comparison to this book is 1982’s Caterpillar and the Polliwog by Jack Kent. But even that title was more concerned with the effects of different change rather than different paths of personal growth. It's a fine book. It's just not this book.
So how’s the story itself? That sounds funny to say that when you’re talking about a book with a limited vocabulary, but think about it. If kids grow up reading boring easy books, aren’t they just going to associate reading with boredom? If you want to grow a child’s love of reading, best to give them something compelling right from the get-go. As mentioned before, I thought I’d seen all the various worm/caterpillar tropes and permutations out there in children’s literature, but I was mistaken. Wrack my brain though I might, I can’t think of a single, solitary title where a worm and a caterpillar are friends. Isn’t that strange? Caterpillars apparently befriend pollywogs all the time, but wouldn’t worm make more sense? Part of what I love so much about this book too is how self-aware Caterpillar is from the start. Worm kicks everything off by declaring that the two of them are identical, and Caterpillar doesn’t let that go. They gently correct, first through words and, later, with some stunning visuals. Windness even brings in elements that I’d never seen before, like Worm fearing Caterpillar’s change because now it looks like a bird. But in the end it’s the message that remains and stands out. Friends do not have to be the same to be together. Difference is no impediment when you like one another as you are.
In terms of illustration, the book is mute on the subject of medium. Bit of a pity. In picture books the publication page will sometimes reveal how the artist made their art. In this case it could well be entirely done on the computer, but it’s always nice to know if that was combined with watercolors, acrylics, or even just pencil sketches at some point. Whatever the case, Worm and Caterpillar is a bit lovelier than your average everyday easy book. There are variations to the characters colors. There’s shading. There’s an overall color palette as capable of invoking a bright spring day as it is the haze of morning or drizzle of rain. Look, for example, at the first official two-page spread of the book. It’s what opens the story, and it’s just of Caterpillar and Worm saying hello to one another. Now if you handed this assignment to anyone else they might have phoned in the picture. Just played it nice and easy with something simple. Windness, in contrast, decided that since this is the official opening of the book, she might as well put her back into it. So the scene is this gorgeous spread of a pond, tree, field, and sky all dipped in dreamy pinks, purples and blues, like something out of a dream. Our heroes are just these small characters in the bottom right-hand corner of the page. It’s as if you’re being reminded, right from the start, of how small they are. Heroes of their own story, but in the grand scheme of things, quite tiny. And all this is in an EASY BOOK! Fan-freakin’-tastic.
They say that Walter de la Mare once said that “Only the rarest kind of best in anything can be good enough for the young.” It’s a great sentiment and one I abide by (though I’ve yet to hear anyone cite precisely where Walter supposedly said this). It’s usually applied to picture books and works of fiction, which I feel is a bit unfair. Considering how many books for children come out on a regular basis we should be applying these standards to comics, nonfiction, early chapter books, and, yes, easy readers. Our books for kids should have only the best words and the finest art. And if that’s the level we’re trying to attain, then I have good news because Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends completely clears that bar. It’s fantastic writing, simple words, and jaw-dropping art all presented in the smallest, most inauspicious of packages. Consider carefully the books you give to the earliest of readers. Consider your responsibility. Show them only the best. Show them this book.
Worm’s pretty pleased. It has a best friend (name: Caterpillar) and the two are clearly exactly alike! “…we are the same!” declares Worm. Caterpillar responds, “We are not the same.” After all, Worm eats dirt and Caterpillar is “more of a leaf person”. True, they both fear birds, but while caterpillar has legs, worm crawls on its belly. And, as Caterpillar points out, “I like that we are different.” Being different doesn’t mean you can’t be friends. And as Caterpillar starts to change, that statement is put to the test. When Caterpillar emerges from a chrysalis, they’re now called Butterfly and they have wings and everything. And as Worm points out, they’re not really the same but “We never were, Butterfly.” And that’s okay! “I like you just as you are.”
Here is the problem with any easy book. You are charged, as an author, with creating a story with an enticing plot in as few words as humanly possible. There’s a rumor out there that Green Eggs and Ham was based on a dare that Dr. Seuss couldn’t use just 50 words to write a coherent story. Kaz Windness, fortunately, is not under such strict restrictions and, indeed, to read this book is to understand that different easy and beginning books start at different places. To read this particular book you’d need a rudimentary knowledge of how to read panels and speech balloons (and act that, in my experience, is far more difficult for adults than children). You also need to be accomplished enough to read words like “crawl”, “strange”, and “nectar.” To be honest, the word “Wormtastic” (which I think is in a section at the beginning intended for adults anyway) is the longest and most complicated in this book. I wouldn’t hand this to someone just at the very beginning of their reading career, but for a kid that’s graduated beyond “Hop on Pop” this is an excellent next step.
Now let’s do a little dig down now into the logistics of this book itself. First off, return to the fact that it is, in fact, an “easy book”. Your library may have a different term for these titles. They may call them “Beginning Books” or “Easy Readers”. In this case the book appears to be part of Simon & Schuster’s “Ready to Read Graphics” division. That means it has all the trappings of an easy book but with panels and speech balloons. Personally, I find it odd when publishers feel some sort of obligation to distinguish their easy readers in this way. There was a time when the vast majority of librarians, and even parents eschewed comic book formats and conventions. But in this current era of Marvel movies, can’t we finally declare the war over? This whole “Seduction of the Innocent” battle cry against comics lives on in the more conservative corners of our population, but for the most part folks understand that sequential storytelling is a boon not a bane on children’s literature as a whole. Besides, it distracts from what Kaz Windness is actually accomplishing here.
It doesn’t take a huge amount of imagination to see this book as a magnificent trans narrative, by the way. I know that’s taking the whole metamorphosis metaphor into a fairly obvious place, but the reason this book works far better than a lot of (more obvious) picture books or easy books out there is because it’s not about change itself. It’s about how your friends and family accept that change. Worm is a good strong ally to Butterfly. Realizing that Butterfly was telling the truth all along (that they weren’t the same) Worm comes to accept that change and embrace it. I prefer books where you can bring multiple interpretations to the final product. In this case? Mission accomplished.
Another book that this reminds me of is the nicely twisted but not entirely successful Tadpole’s Promise by Jeanne Willis. That book presented the idea of a tadpole and caterpillar growing up together and took it to a darker extreme than most of your regular run-of-the-mill stories (being British, it falls into that well-worn category we like to call Stories Where the Protagonist Gets Eaten). Of course the most literal comparison to this book is 1982’s Caterpillar and the Polliwog by Jack Kent. But even that title was more concerned with the effects of different change rather than different paths of personal growth. It's a fine book. It's just not this book.
So how’s the story itself? That sounds funny to say that when you’re talking about a book with a limited vocabulary, but think about it. If kids grow up reading boring easy books, aren’t they just going to associate reading with boredom? If you want to grow a child’s love of reading, best to give them something compelling right from the get-go. As mentioned before, I thought I’d seen all the various worm/caterpillar tropes and permutations out there in children’s literature, but I was mistaken. Wrack my brain though I might, I can’t think of a single, solitary title where a worm and a caterpillar are friends. Isn’t that strange? Caterpillars apparently befriend pollywogs all the time, but wouldn’t worm make more sense? Part of what I love so much about this book too is how self-aware Caterpillar is from the start. Worm kicks everything off by declaring that the two of them are identical, and Caterpillar doesn’t let that go. They gently correct, first through words and, later, with some stunning visuals. Windness even brings in elements that I’d never seen before, like Worm fearing Caterpillar’s change because now it looks like a bird. But in the end it’s the message that remains and stands out. Friends do not have to be the same to be together. Difference is no impediment when you like one another as you are.
In terms of illustration, the book is mute on the subject of medium. Bit of a pity. In picture books the publication page will sometimes reveal how the artist made their art. In this case it could well be entirely done on the computer, but it’s always nice to know if that was combined with watercolors, acrylics, or even just pencil sketches at some point. Whatever the case, Worm and Caterpillar is a bit lovelier than your average everyday easy book. There are variations to the characters colors. There’s shading. There’s an overall color palette as capable of invoking a bright spring day as it is the haze of morning or drizzle of rain. Look, for example, at the first official two-page spread of the book. It’s what opens the story, and it’s just of Caterpillar and Worm saying hello to one another. Now if you handed this assignment to anyone else they might have phoned in the picture. Just played it nice and easy with something simple. Windness, in contrast, decided that since this is the official opening of the book, she might as well put her back into it. So the scene is this gorgeous spread of a pond, tree, field, and sky all dipped in dreamy pinks, purples and blues, like something out of a dream. Our heroes are just these small characters in the bottom right-hand corner of the page. It’s as if you’re being reminded, right from the start, of how small they are. Heroes of their own story, but in the grand scheme of things, quite tiny. And all this is in an EASY BOOK! Fan-freakin’-tastic.
They say that Walter de la Mare once said that “Only the rarest kind of best in anything can be good enough for the young.” It’s a great sentiment and one I abide by (though I’ve yet to hear anyone cite precisely where Walter supposedly said this). It’s usually applied to picture books and works of fiction, which I feel is a bit unfair. Considering how many books for children come out on a regular basis we should be applying these standards to comics, nonfiction, early chapter books, and, yes, easy readers. Our books for kids should have only the best words and the finest art. And if that’s the level we’re trying to attain, then I have good news because Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends completely clears that bar. It’s fantastic writing, simple words, and jaw-dropping art all presented in the smallest, most inauspicious of packages. Consider carefully the books you give to the earliest of readers. Consider your responsibility. Show them only the best. Show them this book.
February 6, 2024
2024 Geisel Honor for most distinguished for beginning readers from the previous year. Worm insists that he and Caterpillar are the same; Caterpillar reminds him they are not. Find out who is right in this cute beginning graphic novel.
October 11, 2022
Ok two things: 1) the first spread is tips on reading this book, i.e. the pointy end of the speech bubble tells you who is speaking - and I have never seen that before (Oh! I have just learned that every book in this Ready-to-Read Graphics series does this! That's great!) and 2) after Caterpillar metamorphoses he tells Worm "Call me Butterfly now" and Worm says "Okay Butterfly." It's that easy!
Also the art is way more gorgeous than the art in an early reader graphic novel has any right to be, but it is and that is wonderful.
Also the art is way more gorgeous than the art in an early reader graphic novel has any right to be, but it is and that is wonderful.
October 31, 2022
I'm a little biased, but here's what Kirkus said:
WORM AND CATERPILLAR ARE FRIENDS [STARRED REVIEW!]
Besties Worm and Caterpillar share lessons on friendship in this graphic novel for early readers.
While pink and purple Worm tends to notice what the two pals have in common, green and orange Caterpillar is fast to point out that they’re not the same. They may both be afraid of birds, but Caterpillar loves leaves while Worm eats dirt. Worm crawls on their belly, but Caterpillar has legs (16 of them!). Keen readers will understand quickly why Caterpillar is concerned—Worm says they’re best friends “because we are the same!” and Caterpillar knows that things are bound to change. In fact, as Caterpillar spins their chrysalis, Worm is already worrying about their altered buddy. And by the time Caterpillar is ready to emerge, they fret that Worm may no longer like them. When Caterpillar (now Butterfly) pops out, Worm is initially afraid, but with care and trust, Worm is able to accept and love Butterfly for who they’ve always been. Worm learns along with readers that love is not a surface-level emotion and that true connections bind us deeply to each other. The art is joyful, colorful, and expressive, with emotions reading perfectly on the cartoon insect faces. Overall, it’s a appealing read with a message of acceptance that caregivers will be able to easily apply to real life.
Warm and delightful, this tale will stay with readers long after they turn the last page. (Graphic early reader. 4-8)
WORM AND CATERPILLAR ARE FRIENDS [STARRED REVIEW!]
Besties Worm and Caterpillar share lessons on friendship in this graphic novel for early readers.
While pink and purple Worm tends to notice what the two pals have in common, green and orange Caterpillar is fast to point out that they’re not the same. They may both be afraid of birds, but Caterpillar loves leaves while Worm eats dirt. Worm crawls on their belly, but Caterpillar has legs (16 of them!). Keen readers will understand quickly why Caterpillar is concerned—Worm says they’re best friends “because we are the same!” and Caterpillar knows that things are bound to change. In fact, as Caterpillar spins their chrysalis, Worm is already worrying about their altered buddy. And by the time Caterpillar is ready to emerge, they fret that Worm may no longer like them. When Caterpillar (now Butterfly) pops out, Worm is initially afraid, but with care and trust, Worm is able to accept and love Butterfly for who they’ve always been. Worm learns along with readers that love is not a surface-level emotion and that true connections bind us deeply to each other. The art is joyful, colorful, and expressive, with emotions reading perfectly on the cartoon insect faces. Overall, it’s a appealing read with a message of acceptance that caregivers will be able to easily apply to real life.
Warm and delightful, this tale will stay with readers long after they turn the last page. (Graphic early reader. 4-8)
December 8, 2022
Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends is one of those feel-good stories about friends growing apart and coming back together. It's okay to be different than your friend! Can this story get any sweeter? And I learned that earthworms come out of cocoons!
Illustrated as an early graphic novel, perfect for emerging readers and fans of Narwhal and Jelly.
Illustrated as an early graphic novel, perfect for emerging readers and fans of Narwhal and Jelly.
December 9, 2022
This is a beautiful, clever friendship book about change and accepting each other for who we are. I think this is an important story disguised as an entertaining one, and something that needs to be in every library and bookshelf. Kaz is a master of books with heart, and this is no exception.
December 10, 2022
First off, I love that speech and thought bubbles are explained to kids. Having been a teacher for years, this is such a great place to start with children because they do not understand that immediately and adults forget to explain it. This explanation is a perfect way to start a book! I am happy for the ready-to-read readers out there to have this clarification.
I wondered how this book would be different from other "we're different, but we're the same books." Not only did it start with that great message, but it moved on to address, 'what if one of us changes, are we still friends?' 'What happens if I'm a little scared of you? What if we no longer act the same? Such poignant thoughts, that all people experience. People change and embracing them throughout that change can be tricky. This book addresses that and brings all the feelings to the surface!
The story almost brought a tear to my eye as worm showed what an amazing friend he really is, we could all hope to have a friend like worm. The illustrations sing a song of their own and capture the heartfelt message.
On top of all of this, a simple lifecycle comparison gently sprinkles in some science. Children also can also independently try their hand at illustration.
BIG emotions, perfect ready-to-read syntax, a fun introduction to life cycles, deep life lessons and a fun activity...lots packed into an adorable book!
I wondered how this book would be different from other "we're different, but we're the same books." Not only did it start with that great message, but it moved on to address, 'what if one of us changes, are we still friends?' 'What happens if I'm a little scared of you? What if we no longer act the same? Such poignant thoughts, that all people experience. People change and embracing them throughout that change can be tricky. This book addresses that and brings all the feelings to the surface!
The story almost brought a tear to my eye as worm showed what an amazing friend he really is, we could all hope to have a friend like worm. The illustrations sing a song of their own and capture the heartfelt message.
On top of all of this, a simple lifecycle comparison gently sprinkles in some science. Children also can also independently try their hand at illustration.
BIG emotions, perfect ready-to-read syntax, a fun introduction to life cycles, deep life lessons and a fun activity...lots packed into an adorable book!
December 13, 2022
Cute, comforting, reassuring, humourous - everything you could want in a book for a young reader! Learning about differences, similarities, and acceptance is something from which we could all benefit. Plus a little science background included, too! Loved this.
January 16, 2023
How can I count the ways that I love this book? I have a fondness for graphic novels for all ages, first of all. Plus, the art is so well done. Honestly, I really love the amount of pink in the illustrations. I don’t feel like I see that often, if at all, but it never feels overwhelming. It just feels warm and inviting. I also am a big fan of layers. In this book, perfect for fans of Elephant and Piggie, a storyline about friendship develops. We can share similarities and also differences, and we can appreciate that in each other. Then there’s the informational layer about a worm and caterpillar’s lifecycles. This would be perfect in a classroom. The sweetness in storytelling plus the beautiful illustrations make this book worthy of multiple reads.
June 22, 2024
I have to say that the illustrations in this book are so well done that my 5 year old (who can’t yet read but wants me to read this book to her over and over) cracks up just looking at the expressions on worms face. She has memorized this book and will quote it to me during the day at random moments. And I have actually heard her saying “crunch….munch…..just a hunch” to herself. Although we currently have a borrowed library copy, I think I have read this book five gazillion times.
January 31, 2023
Love the vibrant pink and purple color palette in this wonderfully wormtastic friendship story. While Worm insists that that they are the same, and Caterpillar insists they are not, these best friends share much in common - especially their fear of birds. Worm and Caterpillar are BEST friends and that will NEVER change. But then Caterpillar starts behaving strangely and begins changing until Caterpillar looks nothing like Worm’s best friend. The pair have less in common now, and things are really different, but their friendship remains the same. They are forever friends! Back matter includes lifecycle information for both these creatures and a fun how-to draw them. Sweet and funny.
December 15, 2022
Worm and caterpillar are friends. Yes they are. Worm keeps saying that they are alike, caterpillar keeps pointing out how they are different. But Worm and Caterpillar are friends, and even when there is no denying, that they are different, Worm and butterfly are still friends. Kaz Windness gives us a beautiful story of acceptance and the true meaning of friendship. And of course, as in Swim Jim, the illustrations bring a lightness and fun that makes the complete package an absolute joy to read.
December 12, 2022
Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends is a brilliant story. The personalities of these two characters are clear from the start with a relationship that makes you smile. This unique portrayal of a situation involving a huge change pulls us in and leaves us happy. The unconditional love, patience and support warms our hearts. Maybe I should say "worms" our hearts! : ) A must read.
July 22, 2023
It’s difficult to write a good story with limited vocabulary needed for a level 1 easy read. This author accomplished it in spades. Humor is included in this early graphic reader as worm realizes that caterpillar is indeed different from him.
July 4, 2023
Such an adorable books about friendship and metamorphosis. It is fun, funny and beautifully illustrated.
February 29, 2024
When Worm covered the chrysalis with a leaf to keep his friend safe and dry, my "awwww" could not be contained. Such a sweet little reader.
May 24, 2024
Oh my goodness, what a beautiful story… and the illustrations! Wow! I’m definitely buying this for my friend’s classroom!
June 15, 2024
Beginning Reader, super easy read
4 - 8 years
Totally worth it's Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Nominee (2024). Super cute book about not judging the change in our friends, and science information with the life cycle of a butterfly.
4 - 8 years
Totally worth it's Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Nominee (2024). Super cute book about not judging the change in our friends, and science information with the life cycle of a butterfly.
December 12, 2022
Such a heartwarming story of friendship that accepts us for who we are. Kids will love the cute and colorful characters and illustrations.
February 1, 2023
Wow! So cute, and the colors are magnificent! Adorable book. Highly, highly recommend!
April 27, 2024
This was a cute, lovely story. I really liked how simple the illustrations and text were. It was an easy to follow story. Would absolutely recommend.
December 9, 2022
Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends is a sweet, important story about change and acceptance; a really great intro to a world where everyone has their own identity and deserves respect and welcoming. The art is absolutely heartwarming, and the story is a lot of fun!
January 15, 2023
A brilliant friendship and life cycle early reader. Worm and Caterpillar are friends…best friends, but what happens when Caterpillar changes? I really loved the how to read a book fun at the beginning and how to draw these charming characters at the end of the book. I think kids will identify with this sweet book about friendship and acceptance. Nicely done, Kaz!
January 9, 2023
This adorable Early Reader Graphic Novel entertains and informs! Even though you can pretty much guess what will happen to caterpillar, Kaz Windness manages to build in suspense masterfully with humor and pacing. Her illustrations are delightful and definitely raise the bar for Early Reader fans.
June 28, 2024
Beautiful illustrations and a sweet story that's easy for kids to read on their own. Love the "how to read this book" explanation at the beginning for kids new to the GN format.
March 15, 2024
We’re alike yet we’re different. This is a fun book as these two best friends discover how much they have in common and how much their differences really matter. Told in text boxes, this story is about a caterpillar and a worm. Worm thinks they are alike, but caterpillar tells worm they’re not completely alike. As worm tells caterpillar things that he thinks they’re similar on, caterpillar corrects worm. No caterpillar does not eat dirt and he doesn’t crawl on his belly. I think it’s funny that worm hasn’t noticed this before but perhaps it really didn’t matter. They can still be best friends even though they have some differences. Caterpillar points out some similarities that they have which is sweet. When caterpillar starts eating and he continues to eat and eat, worm notices that his friend is acting rather strangely. Ha! It’s really cute as caterpillar starts to really change. Worm stays by his friend day and night as he undergoes some strange transition, right before his eyes. I love how worm cares for his friend and his love for his friend really shines.
Fantastic book. I liked how it talks about friendship and how you don’t have to be exactly like another person to be best friends. You can have similarities and differences and still be friends. I like how the caterpillar changes in the book and how he’s accepted by worm. The illustrations are colorful, fun, and do a great job telling the story. I liked how this book starts off by explaining to the reader how to read this book. Written like a graphic novel, this book tells the reader about each of the text boxes or panels and to read the page, left to right. They explain text bubbles and how to follow them to understand who exactly is talking in the story. They also explain about the little text words that are written outside the text bubbles and what they mean. 5 stars
Fantastic book. I liked how it talks about friendship and how you don’t have to be exactly like another person to be best friends. You can have similarities and differences and still be friends. I like how the caterpillar changes in the book and how he’s accepted by worm. The illustrations are colorful, fun, and do a great job telling the story. I liked how this book starts off by explaining to the reader how to read this book. Written like a graphic novel, this book tells the reader about each of the text boxes or panels and to read the page, left to right. They explain text bubbles and how to follow them to understand who exactly is talking in the story. They also explain about the little text words that are written outside the text bubbles and what they mean. 5 stars
June 2, 2024
For sure, I'm shelving this book under FANTASY. Since the author does the equivalent of what, in theater, is called "breaking the third wall." Meaning, the wall between the actor and the partner on the stage, the other actor.
You see, Goodreaders, this book begins as fiction. Where Caterpillar and Worm are best friends. But then, supposedly, Caterpillar has a feeling that he has a big change coming.
Humans can be self-aware. Caterpillars cannot, not even in fiction. Let alone anticipating the far-ranging process of metamorphosis.
Sure, Caterpillar disappears for a while and comes back as Butterfly. But in so doing, it strains my reader's credulity that he would have anticipated this occurence... in any way.
Will Butterfly and Worm still be friends? By this point in the story, who cares? I don't. I cannot believe in a self-aware Caterpillar, perhaps with psychic abilities.
RATING THIS BOOK
I bump into my usual policy. I believe in rating books in terms of the intended readers. In this case, I doubt that most readers would be sophisticated enough to appreciate the strain on this Goodreader's credulity.
So I'll don my "good sport smile" and give this book FIVE STARS.
You see, Goodreaders, this book begins as fiction. Where Caterpillar and Worm are best friends. But then, supposedly, Caterpillar has a feeling that he has a big change coming.
Humans can be self-aware. Caterpillars cannot, not even in fiction. Let alone anticipating the far-ranging process of metamorphosis.
Sure, Caterpillar disappears for a while and comes back as Butterfly. But in so doing, it strains my reader's credulity that he would have anticipated this occurence... in any way.
Will Butterfly and Worm still be friends? By this point in the story, who cares? I don't. I cannot believe in a self-aware Caterpillar, perhaps with psychic abilities.
RATING THIS BOOK
I bump into my usual policy. I believe in rating books in terms of the intended readers. In this case, I doubt that most readers would be sophisticated enough to appreciate the strain on this Goodreader's credulity.
So I'll don my "good sport smile" and give this book FIVE STARS.
February 1, 2023
First sentence: Hello! Hello! We are friends, Caterpillar! Yes, Worm. Best friends!
Premise/plot: Worm and Caterpillar are friends. Worm sees only how alike they are. Caterpillar, however, is always quick to point out they are not the same, how different they are. Caterpillar even corrects Worm now and then; Worm is quick to make conclusions (at time). This is the story of what happens when Caterpillar transitions into a Butterfly. Worm is not a big fan of change, and, well, Worm doesn't know quite what to make of what his best friend has become. (Are butterflies like birds???? Should he be afraid of his flying friend????)
My thoughts: This early reader 'graphic' novel includes information on the life cycle of worms and caterpillars. The story could quite naturally be taken literally at face value. Of course, the story might be interpreted by some readers--other readers--symbolically, allegorically. Regardless of how far you want to take the text--it is a story of acceptance, affirmation, and growth (in friendship).
Premise/plot: Worm and Caterpillar are friends. Worm sees only how alike they are. Caterpillar, however, is always quick to point out they are not the same, how different they are. Caterpillar even corrects Worm now and then; Worm is quick to make conclusions (at time). This is the story of what happens when Caterpillar transitions into a Butterfly. Worm is not a big fan of change, and, well, Worm doesn't know quite what to make of what his best friend has become. (Are butterflies like birds???? Should he be afraid of his flying friend????)
My thoughts: This early reader 'graphic' novel includes information on the life cycle of worms and caterpillars. The story could quite naturally be taken literally at face value. Of course, the story might be interpreted by some readers--other readers--symbolically, allegorically. Regardless of how far you want to take the text--it is a story of acceptance, affirmation, and growth (in friendship).
August 11, 2023
Worm and Caterpillar are the best of friends. Worm delights in their similarities. Caterpillar notices their differences (legs, no legs, eats leaves, eats dirt) but both agree that it makes no difference. Then the big change comes and again Caterpillar is worried. Also Caterpillar is no longer called Caterpillar. This Ready to Read Graphics book is terrific in so many ways. It begins with tips that clearly explain how to read the book, including speech and thought bubbles. Overall it is a sweet friendship story with a beauty message about acceptance and appreciation of differences. The writing and illustrations are appealing, informative and accessible. There is also a diagram of the life cycles for worms and caterpillars as well as easy to understand instructions on how to draw a worm and butterfly. A useful book to include in nature studies and a wonderful book to read any time.
October 11, 2023
Worm and Caterpillar are friends and they are similar, but they are not the same. When Caterpillar starts transitioning into a butterfly, Worm takes care of the cocoon and keeps it dry from the rain. Eventually, Caterpillar is ready to emerge but is afraid that Worm will no longer want to be friends because they are not the same. This is a wonderful tale about a caterpillar turning into a butterfly and a tale about two friends who love each other even though they are different. The introductory page is a handy guide on how to read the graphic novel format for early readers who may not be familiar. This is a wonderful story with colorful illustrations and panels that are sometimes put in the middle of another large panel, straying from the classic graphic novel format. I would highly recommend this title!
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