Charles Darwin’s belief that worms were amazing contributors to the natural world was not shared by the public, who considered them nothing more than garden pests. Determined to prove his opinion scientifically, Darwin tested worms’ vision, learning they didn’t have eyes but used sensors in their skin to detect light. He went on to examine their hearing, smell, and taste using methodologies that evolved with each failed attempt until he hit on a viable approach. His results underwhelmed his peers until he reported that the soil aeration caused by worms’ underground movement and the nutritive value of their poop “acts as a plant super-booster.” An energetic, light-hearted text paired with humorous illustrations that make effective use of dialogue bubbles document Darwin’s 40-year study of earthworms that culminated in the publication of his book (Ages 4-8)

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.

*2024 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List*
*2024 Cooperative Children's Book Center Choice*
*2023 Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the Year*
*2023 Science Friday Best Science Book For Kids Selection*
*2023 Book Riot Must-Read Picture Book*
*2023 Amazon Top 20 Children’s Books of 2023: Ages 6-8*
*2023 Smithsonian Magazine Top 10 Children’s Books of 2023*

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 realized that worms do have a superpower. They POOP! Without their life-sustaining, nutrient-rich poop, 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 centers around the perennially brilliant subject of poop, it:
 

• Teaches children about a key historic figure, the food cycle, and deductive scientific thinking.
• 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.
• Is told in a humorous and engaging way, with nonfiction information on each page to help educate alongside the story.
• Features charming and humorous full-color illustrations.

Curious minds will love this fact-filled, laugh-out-loud book.