The Worm Family Has Its Picture Taken

by Jennifer Frank, David Ezra Stein (Illustrator)

Overview

"Worms don't take good family photos, do they? Find out in this hilarious picture book from a Caldecott Honor illustrator and debut author about a young worm who comes to appreciate her very unusual family for who they are."--Provided by publisher.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593124789
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	05/11/2021
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	10.38(w) x 9.31(h) x 0.41(d)
Lexile:	AD550L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Jennifer Frank has been a member of SCBWI for ten years. Before writing children's books, Jennifer was a family coordinator at the Boston Children's Hospital. She lives with her husband and three daughters outside of Boston. THE WORM FAMILY HAS ITS PICTURE TAKEN is her debut.

David Ezra Stein is the Caldecott Honor illustrator and author of INTERRUPTING CHICKEN and its sequel, INTERRUPTING CHICKEN AND THE ELEPHANT OF SURPRISE, which the Wall Street Journal called "a celebration of love and language." The next in the series, INTERRUPTING CHICKEN, COOKIES FOR BREAKFAST, will publish in Fall 2021. David is also the creator of DINOSAUR KISSES, I'M MY OWN DOG, and many other award-winning picture books. His picture book LEAVES won the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award and was a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, a Kirkus Reviews Editor's Choice, and a School Library Journal Best Book. He lives in New York. Visit David at davidezrastein.com.

Editorial Reviews

03/22/2021

When her mother schedules a family photo portrait, Emma the worm is beset with anxiety: What could the camera possibly love about worms? They don’t have big toothy grins like her rodent friend’s family, or dazzling colors like the butterflies. Eager to save her family from what she’s sure will be a big letdown, Emma insists they dress up in brightly colored clothes, fake lips and teeth, and wigs—a moment that Caldecott Honoree Stein’s elegant ink lines and washes portray with a superb mixture of dubious acquiescence, humor, and mortification. Authenticity prevails at the behest of the photographer (“AHHHHHHHH” says the relieved family as they discard their uncomfortable costumes), and the worms “wriggled and squiggled and squeezed into a delightful pose only a worm family could make.” Though the plot payoff feels abrupt, the story is otherwise a terrific pairing of new and veteran talent, as well as a gentle but firm nudge for any child who’s felt the pang of familial embarrassment. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Jennifer Cohen, Jennifer Cohen Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties. (May)

Publishers Weekly

★ 2021-03-17
A warm, witty, wonderful worm tale.

When Mrs. Worm has the bright idea of taking a family portrait, her eldest daughter, Emma, is very excited. That feeling fades, however, when Emma worries that their picture won’t be special like those of her friends’ families. They can’t smile like the beavers since they don’t have teeth. They can’t style their hair to be fluffy like a cat’s since they don’t have hair. They can’t be colorful like a family of butterflies. Or can they? Emma comes up with a plan to deck her family out in wigs, clothes, and fake teeth, but then they just don’t look like themselves—as the muskrat photographer comically points out when he doesn’t even recognize them. Throughout, Stein’s expressive, sly, wobbly-lined art enhances the humor of Frank’s text with details that will delight readers, such as the worms’ use of piles of earth to blanket them as they sleep upon rooted carrots in their underground home or the worm parents’ use of a simple sling to carry the baby of the family. When the worm family sheds itself of Emma’s costuming, they come up with an ingenious plan to get “into a delightful pose only a worm family could make,” the illustration of which will surely bring smiles to readers’ faces. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at 21.4% of actual size.)

Sure to worm its way into readers’ hearts. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews

"Sure to worm its way into readers’ hearts." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Off-the-beam, James Marshall-esque story.” —The Bulletin

“A terrific pairing of new and veteran talent, as well as a gentle but firm nudge for any child who’s felt the pang of familial embarrassment.” —Publishers Weekly

“Stein’s worms could be cousins to Richard Scarry’s, with guileless facial expressions and simple, personality-enriching accessories. The earth(worm)-toned mixed-media illustrations have lots of adorable detail (watch Baby Worm). The text has kid-appeal (“Cool,” is Emma’s signature understated response), and the situations are relatable for young people longing to stand out from the crowd.” —The Horn Book

From the Publisher