An introduction to the lowly earthworm, which--though thought of as gross--is one of the most important animals on the earth.

Crawling through the dirt, worms are hard at work, helping plants to grow. Worms help the fruit and vegetables we eat by loosening the soil and feeding the plants. Read and find out about these wiggling wonders!

Examine the interesting characteristics of worms, including their body parts and structure, their habitat and how it supports them, and how they get their food. Captions are paired with photos in the book to point out key visual details to readers, and chapter headings assist in locating information and main ideas. For further exploration, readers will find text features such as a labeled photo diagram, glossary, and index in the back of the book.

Worms are small and gross, but they’re also one of the world’s most important critters. In this volume, readers will enter the world of wiggly worms and learn about worms’ appearance, habitat, behavior, and essential role in nature’s ecosystems. The science-heavy text supports elementary science standards, while highly detailed, full-color photographs capture and hold readers’ interest. Readers will walk away knowing that worms are more than wiggly creatures they see in the dirt—they’re essential to a healthy environment!

“Vivian French tells a gardening adventure and offers underground facts, including helpful hints on how to become a ‘wormologist.’ “ — USA Today Who would want to be friends with a wiggly, slimy worm? You can’t even tell which end is which! But there’s more to these lowly creatures than meets the eye. Kids are invited to find out where worms live, see how they move, and understand why gardeners consider them friends with the help of this humorous and informative look at an unappreciated — and fascinating — creature. Back matter includes further information about worms and an index.

It's a cool, damp night, and a wriggling worm searches for food in a garden. Before the sun rises, it returns to its home in the soil. Tiny hairs on the worm's skin grab the dirt to help the crawler move forward. As the worm squirms underground, its long body breaks up the soil and creates tunnels. Welcome to the worm's hole! Clear text, colorful photos, and diagrams will engage young readers as they explore the habitat, physical characteristics, diet, and behavior of these curious creatures. Age-appropriate activities and critical-thinking questions give readers an opportunity to make observations and gain valuable insights.

"Developed by literacy experts for students in kindergarten through grade three, this book introduces earthworms to young readers through leveled text and related photos"--