Review: The Worm Whisperer by Betty Hicks

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

Ellis Coffey loves animals. He spends so much time outdoors that sometimes he thinks he can talk with them. When he discovers a caterpillar that seems to follow his directions, he knows he has a chance to win the annual Woolly Worm Race. The prize money is $1,000—exactly the amount of the deductible for his dad's back surgery. If Ellis is right and he can train his woolly worm to be the fastest in the county, he's sure can solve all his family's problems. But when you're trying to talk to insects, nothing is as simple as it seems.

MY TAKE:
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book other than that Ellis would be something like Cesar Milan.

In The Worm Whisperer, Ellis discovers that he can sort of communicate with animals, particularly caterpillars or woolly worms. This newfound talent will come in handy when he decides to enter the Woolly Worm Race which, if he wins, will net him $1,000, which will allow his father to have much needed back surgery.

I really liked this book. It's very charming and makes you want to live in a small town. The community is very close-knit and helps one another by giving or trading produce from their own backyards. Some readers may also be able to relate to the financial situation of Ellis' family. His father has a herniated disc and cannot continue his job. His mother was laid off work and works as a house cleaner and waitress, and scavenges fixable items and makes blueberry products from the blueberries on their farm.

Ellis is a class clown, which can be annoying sometimes, but he has a good heart. He does his chores and other tasks that his parents give him without complaining, and the only reason why he really wanted to win was because he wanted to help out his parents. This makes him a perfect role model for kids everywhere.

Thanks to NetGalley and Roaring Book Press for the e-ARC. Publication date of The Worm Whisperer is on January 22, 2013.

THE GOOD:

1. Ellis is a good role model.
2. It shows you a nice community that will make you want to live in a small town.
3. You learn a lot of new words and about animals.

THE BAD:

1. Some people might get grossed out by woolly worms.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

Ellis thought if she could find a way to make pencils out of blueberries, they'd be selling those, too.

READ IT IF:

1. You like animals and insects.
2. You like stories set in small towns.
3. You are looking for a children's book that has a good role model for your child.

RATING:


SOUNDS INTERESTING?