The Racing Worm Brothers

This book is one that will make little children squirm, laugh and use their imaginations. Aaron and Ryan are two boys that want pets. Because Aaron suffers from allergies, he is unable to have any of the usual pets, so his only pet is a fish. When Ryan tells him that he cannot pet his fish, Aaron objects, saying that he wants a pet he can touch. This prompts Ryan to suggest they each get a pet worm. With worms so easy to find, it is only a manner of minutes before Ryan has his pet worm Pinky and Aaron his pet worm Worm. They cuddle them, sing to them, and make their beds from tissue paper. It is then determined that the worms would like to race, so the boys set up a race track. However, once the race starts the worms disappear, which causes the boys to start exercising their imaginations. They draw pictures of them resting underground, crawling around and exploring their world. On the day school starts the boys find their worms "waiting" for them outside their homes, so they take them to school with the predictable consequences. The best children's books require a good deal of imagination, which is one of the positive aspects of this book. The artwork is colorful, yet understated in a way that will appeal to the eyes of a child.