Horn Book (Tue Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2014)

Written by Lori Haskins Houran. Pictures by John Nez. It's Mrs. Mulch's birthday, and Worm wants to give his teacher the right present. His friends and family try to help him think of an idea, but Worm ultimately puts the finishing touches on the perfect gift himself. Fans of the original Diary of a Worm picture book will enjoy this early reader filled with worm-y gags and friendly illustrations.

Kirkus Reviews

Cronin and Bliss' droll humor come to the early-reader set courtesy of Houran and Nez. Mrs. Mulch is the best teacher Worm has ever had. So, when they have a substitute so she can take the day off for her birthday, Worm just has to think up a present that will be more spectacular than those of his classmates. His best friends, Spider and Fly, try to help, but their ideas just aren't appropriate for worms. But when they take him kite flying (literally) to cheer him up, they spy an apple from their vantage point. Will it be rotten enough? Will they be able to get it to Worm's school? Will Worm be able to pull a birthday card out of thin air? Nez's illustrations in the style of Bliss entertain, his characters sporting accessories and facial expressions that will be quite familiar to readers. Houran and Nez have transferred all the elements that made the Diary series so successful--the slightly gross humor, the three friends and their talents playing off one another, and the similarity to real human plights--to this early reader, continuing the trio's adventures for kids just striking out on their own. When will Fly and Spider get their own school stories? (Early reader. 5-7)

School Library Journal (Sat Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2013)

PreS-Gr 1 Worm is back again with friends Spider and Fly in this entertaining early reader based on the humorous tales of Doreen Cronin and Harry Bliss. Readers will delight in the antics of Worm, captured in the familiar journal style, as he discovers that even teachers have birthdays. He tries to find the perfect gift for Mrs. Mulch. "October 6 I woke up worried. One more day until the party and I was still stumped." Full spreads and expressive spot illustrations assist new readers with plot development. Bottle cap chairs and mushroom desktops set in a forest classroom create a fun perspective for readers as they follow Worm on his quest. Simple vocabulary and large font make this a welcome addition to beginning-to-read collections and young fans of these three pals. Melissa Smith, Royal Oak Public Library, MI