A lively treatment of the No. 2 area of Charles Darwin's interest in the natural world.Fascinated by earthworms, Darwin felt that they had more going for them than Victorian-era science gave them credit for. At that time, worms were considered "pests," so Darwin set out to discover the lowly worm's redeeming feature-its "superpower," in this story's accessible vernacular. First, he tested their eyesight (but discovered they have no eyes), then their hearing (no ears either). He did determine, though, that, in lieu of eyes and ears, a worm's skin has receptors that sense vibrations as well as light and dark. Then Darwin realized that worms have a sense of smell for foods they like. But none of these, he felt, were really the superpower to change people's minds about worms. Quite by accident, Darwin stumbled on the lowly earthworm's superpower, and an amazing one it is-their poop helps make soil healthier, which in turn results in the plants and vegetables people depend on. As instructive as it is amusing, this story matches perky dialogue bubbles and text (narrated by an endearing bespectacled worm in a mortarboard) with winsome illustrations with just enough detail to amplify the storyline, all the while underscoring the significance of Darwin's research. Secondary characters are diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally.)Absorbing and entertaining-sure to have readers gazing at earthworms with a newfound, and deserved, appreciation. (facts about worms, link to the Earthworm Society's website) (Informational picture book. 4-8)

A lively treatment of the No. 2 area of Charles Darwin's interest in the natural world.Fascinated by earthworms, Darwin felt that they had more going for them than Victorian-era science gave them credit for. At that time, worms were considered "pests," so Darwin set out to discover the lowly worm's redeeming feature-its "superpower," in this story's accessible vernacular. First, he tested their eyesight (but discovered they have no eyes), then their hearing (no ears either). He did determine, though, that, in lieu of eyes and ears, a worm's skin has receptors that sense vibrations as well as light and dark. Then Darwin realized that worms have a sense of smell for foods they like. But none of these, he felt, were really the superpower to change people's minds about worms. Quite by accident, Darwin stumbled on the lowly earthworm's superpower, and an amazing one it is-their poop helps make soil healthier, which in turn results in the plants and vegetables people depend on. As instructive as it is amusing, this story matches perky dialogue bubbles and text (narrated by an endearing bespectacled worm in a mortarboard) with winsome illustrations with just enough detail to amplify the storyline, all the while underscoring the significance of Darwin's research. Secondary characters are diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally.)Absorbing and entertaining-sure to have readers gazing at earthworms with a newfound, and deserved, appreciation. (facts about worms, link to the Earthworm Society's website) (Informational picture book. 4-8)