Herman and Marguerite: An Earth Story - Softcover

O'Callahan, Jay

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1561452831 ISBN 13: 9781561452835

Publisher: Peachtree Pub Co Inc, 2003

Synopsis

An earthworm and a caterpillar become friends and work together to bring a neglected orchard back to life.

About this title

About the Author:

Jay O?Callahan tours the world, performing at festivals and in theaters. His stories have been heard on National Public Radio, The Voice of America, and Mister Roger?s Neighborhood. Audio recordings of his stories have won a number of awards, including the ALA Carnegie Award, the Indie Award, the National Educational Film Festival Award, and the Parents? Choice Award, which he has received four times. O?Callahan lives in Massachusetts.

Laura O?Callahan is Jay O?Callahan?s daughter. She attended Oberlin and Gallaudet Colleges, where she was one of three hearing students in a year-long exchange program, and graduated from Northeastern University.

From School Library Journal:

Kindergarten-Grade 3?Herman, an earthworm, loves tunneling through the soil, but is also curious about what goes on aboveground. He is almost scorched by the sun before Marguerite, a caterpillar, rescues him. The young creatures then become concerned about an apple orchard that seems dead. Marguerite tries to liven it up by singing a cheerful chomping song, but Herman squirms away in embarrassment, convinced that he can't sing or do much of anything. His wise old grandfather restores his self-esteem, explaining the vital role worms play in keeping soil alive. Later, when Marguerite is in danger of being crushed by rocks, Herman asks all the earthworms in the world to sing together, and the resulting vibrations shake the stones away. That spring, when Marguerite changes into a butterfly, the orchard is in bloom and finally "...has the buzz of life on it." The text has a nice rhythm and the language is simple, yet filled with poetic imagery. Some accurate information about earthworms is also conveyed. An appendix presents miscellaneous facts about worms, butterflies, and other insects, and recycling in nature. The illustrations are an appealing blend of cut-paper collages and watercolor paintings. Barbro Lindgren's A Worm's Tale (R & S, 1988; o.p.) lacks the purposeful elements of O'Callahan's title, but is more amusing and has a tighter plot.?Karey Wehner, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Peachtree Pub Co Inc
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 1561452831
• ISBN 13: 9781561452835
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 36
• Illustrator: O'Callahan Laura