 Loading...  | Bad Idea And Other Stories (Earl & Worm) Author: Pizzoli, Greg | |
| Price: $17.68 | ||
Summary:
Earl, a cheerful bird who loves playing saxophone, and Worm, a quiet bookworm, overcome their differences with lemonade, creativity, and sharing their stories, becoming the best of friends.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (02/15/25)
School Library Journal (+) (02/01/25)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (A) (00/03/25)
Full Text Reviews:
Other - 01/13/2025 Via this three-story early reader, Pizzoli (Lucky Duck) chronicles an unexpected friendship growing between two new neighbors: extroverted saxophonist Earl, a white bird in a blue jacket, and book-loving introvert Worm, who lives in an apple-shaped abode. In the book’s first story, breezy slice-of-life line drawings introduce Worm as peeved by Earl’s bumptiousness, but Earl proves to be an attentive listener, and the two critters discover that they each dislike being alone. Tale two sees Worm seeking to discourage Earl’s copycat behavior by saying that she plans to paint her home "orange, with green stripes and purple polka dots," and comeuppance arriving in the form of a surprise good deed. The third story finds Worm again fed up, this time with Earl’s clumsy attempts to help her complete a poem-until she realizes that Earl’s willingness to help makes him a good friend. This look at a warming relationship dynamic considers ways that proximate opposites can not only coexist but learn from each other. Ages 4-8. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Apr.) - Copyright 2025
School Library Journal - 02/01/2025 PreS-Gr 2—Pizzoli brings the trademark dry humor from his picture books and graphic novels to the early reader stage in this series debut. Earl and Worm are an odd couple in the tradition of Frog and Toad or Elephant and Piggie, and their progression from reluctant neighbors to best buddies is told with perfect comic pacing over the course of three stories. Young readers will relate to Worm's indignation when Earl copies her good ideas, and Earl's tireless optimism will charm audiences as it gradually endears him to Worm. Subtle halftone shading adds a touch of comic book style to the bold digital illustrations. Perceptive readers may notice visual nods to other favorite books, including Pizzoli's own Geisel Award winner The Watermelon Seed. Just as his picture books are a popular crossover choice for emerging readers, Pizzoli's first dedicated early reader is well suited to shared reading, and individual chapters could even be used in story hours and other group settings. It's sure to be a hit with a broad range of fans. VERDICT New readers are about to start a long and wonderful friendship with this impeccable new series.—Amy Reimann - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
