The 6 Best Children’s Books About Worms for Creepy Crawly Enthusiasts

Nobody likes me, everybody hates me
I think I’ll go eat worms!
Big fat juicy ones
Eensie weensy squeensy ones
See how they wiggle and squirm!

Do you recognize this nursery rhyme? It’s a fun one to say and if your child loves worms, they’re sure to giggle at the idea of eating these creepy, crawly critters. There are also books for young readers who love worms that they are sure to love. From board books with charming characters to field guides that they can take in the backyard, there is something for every age group and type of reader.

Here are our favorite children’s books about worms.

A-Z-Animals’ Top Picks for Children’s Books About Worms

#1 Best Overall: Curious About Worms by Kate Waters

Curious About Worms published by the Smithsonian is a great introduction to worms, their lifecycle, their habitat, and their species. It includes information about common earthworms as well as tapeworms and leeches that your child may be interested in. There are plenty of illustrations and photos of these creatures in their habitat. It also goes into detail about other places that worms live where you might not expect, such as the ocean and lakes.

Author Kate Waters has also written other books for the Smithsonian series and knows just how to appeal to young readers. Most of the top reviews came from kids (or their parents) between the ages of three and five. It is also a good choice for a preschool classroom, where it will appeal to a wide range of readers. If you read it on a rainy day, we highly suggest going outside to look for worms and stomp in puddles. What fun!

“My son’s entire existence is his love for worms,” wrote one reviewer with a three-year-old. “Lots of gross worm pictures and information that he loves! Good buy!”

A sole reviewer posted the following negative review, “This book covers much more than worms. It talk about leeches, tape worms etc. Too much info for a five-year-old, I feel, who’s only interested in worms he sees in his yard right now.”

Pros and Cons of Curious About Worms by Kate Waters

Best Overall

Curious About Worms (Smithsonian)

• 32 pages.
• Recommended for children ages 6 through 8.
• A Smithsonian book that teaches about worms and their environment.

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2. Best Board Book: Richard Scarry’s Lowly Worm Word Book by Richard Scarry

The beloved illustrations and characters in Richard Scarry’s Lowly Worm Word Book from children’s author Richard Scarry will appeal to adults who grew up reading his books as much as the younger generation of readers. Before his death in 1994, Richard Scarry had written over 150 books. Many had been translated into other languages, some as many as 20. The world that he created is both familiar and whimsical, with characters like this little worm and his favorite hat.

This book is ideal for babies and toddlers, ages one to three. It has the thicker cardboard pages of a board book and a slick finish that keeps it from getting torn by enthusiastic little fingers. “I like these little chunky books because they fit so well in a small child’s hands,” said one reviewer. “He can hold it, turn the pages and enjoy the pictures and words by himself as well as with others.”

Several reviewers were disappointed in the book’s diminutive size. One said, “This book is the size of a coaster. This is the kind of thing that fast food restaurants give out for free.”

Pros and Cons of Richard Scarry’s Lowly Worm Word Book by Richard Scarry

Best Board Book

Richard Scarry's Lowly Worm Word Book

• 28 pages.
• Customers recommend this book for children ages 1 through 3.
• Introduces over a hundred words to readers.

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3. Best for Active Kids: Willy the Wiggle Worm Can’t Stop Wiggling by Hailee Oman

If you have a very active child with lots of their own wiggles, they’ll enjoy reading about Willy the Wiggle Worm by Hailee Oman, who is experiencing the very same thing! He tries all kinds of things to get his wiggles out but none of them work. For caregivers: Make sure that you catch your child before they try to stick themselves in place with honey, like Willy. You’ll thank me later when you don’t have to clean up a sticky mess!

This book is also a great way to talk about determination and grit. Willy doesn’t give up even when his first few ideas don’t go as planned. You can talk to your child about trying new solutions and persevering. There are also comprehension questions and extension activities at the end of the book to help your child get their own wiggles out. One of our favorites is to make our own worms out of Play-Doh and recreate the scenes from the book.

One reviewer was disturbed by the ending: “I bought this for a preschool lesson about worms thinking that age would relate to a wiggly worm. The majority of the book is good silly fun with Willy trying crazy ways to stop wiggling. However right at the very end of the book during his last attempt at stopping the wiggles he gets eaten, and it said now he doesn’t wiggle anymore. Kind of a dark ending for young kids, and would easily be upsetting.”

Another said, “So disappointed with this book. There is no spell check used. Waste of money.”

Pros and Cons of Willy the Wiggle Worm Can’t Stop Wiggling by Hailee Oman

Best for Active Kids

Willy the Wiggle Worm Can't Stop Wiggling

• 52 pages.
• Contains activities for children, such as how to make worms out of Play-Doh.
• The first book in a series of four.

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4. Best Activity Book: The Outdoor Toddler Activity Book by Krissy Bonning-Gould

The Outdoor Toddler Activity Book by Krissy Bonning-Gould isn’t just about worms but it has so many wonderful outdoor activities that we just had to include it. The Digging for Worms activity gets right into the mud and dirt, where your child can get messy while they learn all about the little critters that crawl through the garden. It has just enough information to keep your child engaged but really focuses on them learning through experience and exploration.

Each activity has a list of skills that it is geared toward at the top of the page. These include sensory development, fine or gross motor skills, numbers and literacy, and others. There is also a helpful section at the front for adults on what materials you might want to gather to create your own outdoor learning space.

One negative review said that the activities suggested in the book were too advanced for toddlers. Other negative reviews said that the activities required too much preparation and that, “There are so many activities that are a great deal of messiness with not a great outcome.”

Pros and Cons of The Outdoor Toddler Activity Book by Krissy Bonning-Gould

Best Activity Book

The Outdoor Toddler Activity Book: 100+ Fun Early Learning Activities for Outside Play (Toddler Activity Books)

• 176 pages.
• Recommended for children ages 1 through 3.
• Contains over a hundred early learning activities, with skill-building exercises and developmental milestones.

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5. Best Rhyming Book: Worm Weather by Jean Taft

This debut book, Worm Weather, from children’s book author Jean Taft tells the story of two young adventurers as they splash and play during a rainy day. Little do they know that rain is the perfect worm weather! The book also rhymes, which can help reinforce sound recognition and pre-reading skills. It is ideal for preschool and early elementary readers.

It’s clear that the author loves worms as much as your child will after reading the book. “As a child I loved being outside on those rainy days when the worms were crawling around,” she says. “You know, worm weather!  I enjoy talking with grown-ups and kids alike about the book. As soon as I mention the title, most people know exactly what type of rainy day the book is about!”

This book should also get special attention from teachers. If you are near Jean, who lives in New England, she can come for a school visit and reading, bringing along plenty of fun supplies for a Worm-a-Palooza.

Some reviewers said that there “wasn’t much of a story.”

Pros and Cons of Worm Weather by Jean Taft

Best Rhyming Book

Worm Weather (Penguin Core Concepts)

• 32 pages.
• Customers recommend this book for children ages 2 through 4.
• Part of the Penguin Core Concepts line of books.

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6. Best Book About Gardening: Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner

Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner is sweet, with fun illustrations that accompany interesting facts about all of the creatures that help in the dirt of the garden. One of the first things that really got my young kids enthusiastic about worms was learning that they were so beneficial in the garden. They went from being crawly critters that made them giggle to helpful workers that they actively looked for in our backyard and moved to the garden.

This book, which is geared towards children ages two through five, just about worms but also includes pollinators, spiders, grasshoppers, snakes, and birds. Earthworms are the stars of the show and are featured in the colorful illustrations digging through the dirt under the plants. If your child loves this book, they will probably also enjoy the other titles from Kate Messner and illustrator Christopher Silas Neal. They include Over and Under the Snow and Over and Under the Pond.

Several reviewers said that they preferred Over and Under the Snow to this book.

Pros and Cons of Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner

Best Book About Gardening

Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt

• 56 pages.
• Customers recommend this book for children ages 2 through 5.
• A nature book for kids, as part of and companion to the Over and Under children's book series.

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How to Choose the Best Children’s Book about Worms

When you are browsing through books for your child, consider their reading level, interests, and types of activities that they enjoy to make the best selection. Let’s look at each of these factors a bit closer.

Reading Level

The best book for your child is written for their level. Even if they aren’t reading yet, you can find a wonderful book that you can read together. Board books and picture books, both of which have simpler storylines and plenty of illustrations, are good for babies and toddlers. Early readers and elementary-aged kids may enjoy books with more facts and information about worms.

Interests

Does your child love the creepy crawly aspect of worms? Or are they more interested in a story that involves a worm in its natural environment? Or do they want something fantastical, such as a worm wearing a hat in Richard Scarry’s world? No matter what their interests are, there is a worm book that will appeal to them.

Activities

Reading can open so many new worlds of possibility. Activity books that encourage your child to take their learning off the page are great ways to reinforce new scientific concepts and let your child’s natural curiosity guide them. Not only does this connect them with the actual world of earthworms (and plenty of other critters and plants), but it also develops this skill of inquiry that they can use and apply in other aspects of their lives.

The 3 Different Types of Children’s Books About Worms

• Board Books: We love board books for babies and toddlers. Not only are the stories and illustrations charming and ideal for younger kids, but they are also practically indestructible. They are made of thicker cardboard and often have a finish that resists drool and sticky fingers. They can be wiped down easily without damaging the pages. Board books are typically smaller and can fit into a purse or diaper bag as well.
• Activity Books: We love to find and recommend great activity books for kids. Not only are they super fun and interactive, but they are also a great way to bond with your child over an activity that you can do together. The best activity books have plenty of options and show how each activity helps your child’s development. Activity books about worms almost always include activities that get your child outdoors, where their curiosity can really flourish.
• Picture Books: These books can include science and facts or focus more on characters and stories. Some have simpler language and may rhyme, such as Jean Taft’s Worm Weather. These are great to read aloud and help pre-reading skills develop. Others, including Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner, incorporate facts about worms and how they work in the ecosystem and garden.