Wormworld: The Worm Book

Steve Pitt is a Toronto-based freelance writer and an award-winning journalist. He has written many young adult and children's books, including Day of the Flying Fox: The True Story of World War II Pilot Charley Fox.

No, this is not another inside look at politics. Wormworld presents a
fascinating look at one of the world’s most common (yet often
uncommon) creatures. For example, readers will learn that there are
billions of them around; that a typical worm has five hearts, no eyes,
no ears, and no lungs; and that it is both male and female at the same
time.

The book is part of a kit that is designed to help kids get better
acquainted with these fascinating critters. Also included in the kit are
a magnifying glass, a small plastic tank capable of holding three to
five worms, and a small bag of colorful gummy worms—but in order to
learn anything readers will still have to go outside and dig up a few of
the real things. Once the worm tank is stocked, a whole spectrum of
harmless but creative experiments are suggested, such as how to take a
worm’s pulse, how to find out what kind of music it likes, or how to
teach it to do tricks. Alas, after a month of worm-on-one quality time,
the book advises that the little tykes must be let go. Highly
recommended.