Herman and Marguerite: An Earth Story - Hardcover

Professional storyteller Jay O'Callahan is the author of TULIPS and ORANGE CHEEKS. His stories are heard regularly on National Public Radio, and his audio recordings have won a number of awards, including the ALA Carnegie Award, the National Educational Film Festival Award, and the Parents' Choice Award, of which he is a four-time winner. He was recently honored by the New England Reading Association with their Special Recognition Award for his significant contribution to literacy education. He lives in Marshfield, Massachusetts.

Laura O'Callahan has attended Oberlin and Galludet Colleges, wher she was one of three hearing students in a year-long exchange program. She recently graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts with a degree in deaf education. This is her first book.

Kindergarten-Grade 3?Herman, an earthworm, loves tunneling through the soil, but is also curious about what goes on aboveground. He is almost scorched by the sun before Marguerite, a caterpillar, rescues him. The young creatures then become concerned about an apple orchard that seems dead. Marguerite tries to liven it up by singing a cheerful chomping song, but Herman squirms away in embarrassment, convinced that he can't sing or do much of anything. His wise old grandfather restores his self-esteem, explaining the vital role worms play in keeping soil alive. Later, when Marguerite is in danger of being crushed by rocks, Herman asks all the earthworms in the world to sing together, and the resulting vibrations shake the stones away. That spring, when Marguerite changes into a butterfly, the orchard is in bloom and finally "...has the buzz of life on it." The text has a nice rhythm and the language is simple, yet filled with poetic imagery. Some accurate information about earthworms is also conveyed. An appendix presents miscellaneous facts about worms, butterflies, and other insects, and recycling in nature. The illustrations are an appealing blend of cut-paper collages and watercolor paintings. Barbro Lindgren's A Worm's Tale (R & S, 1988; o.p.) lacks the purposeful elements of O'Callahan's title, but is more amusing and has a tighter plot.?Karey Wehner, San Francisco Public Library
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