Herman and Marguerite: An Earth Story [Hardcover]

Jay O'Callahan (Author), Laura O'Callahan (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

Award-winning storyteller O'Callahan offers another of his most popular tales, a story of helping each other and sharing our gifts. Herman, a shy earthworm, spends most of his time in the dark, crumbly earth, eating dead leaves and making tunnels. Marguerite, a lonely caterpillar, lives in the orchard above Herman's underground world, where he munches on plants, sings her songs, and waits for the time when she will become a butterfly.

When Herman and Marguerite meet, they become fast friends even though they lead such different lives. Together, they have fun and help each other, and bring life back to the lonely orchard with their friendship and songs.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Professional storyteller O'Callahan's (Orange Cheeks) tale of a worm and a caterpillar who become friends and rejuvenate an abandoned orchard probably plays better in the spoken version. As a picture book, it's pleasant but a tad undisciplined-wordy, digressive and suffering from an excess of exclamation points. The moral (believe in yourself and success will follow) treads a well-worn path and is served up by-who else?-a wise grandfather, who counsels his insecure earthworm grandson thus: "Everyone has a gift, Herman. And when we use our gifts everything hums." The enjoyment quotient is boosted considerably by the first-time illustrator's cheery torn-paper collages. Punctuating the text with sunny bursts of color, they infuse these pages with an amiable brio. A brief appendix attractively presents facts about earthworms and a few environmental tips. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 36 pages
• Publisher: Peachtree Pub Ltd (March 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561451037
• ISBN-13: 978-1561451036
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,220,319 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lovely and well illustrated book!, August 8, 2006

By 

T. Smith (Missouri, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Herman and Marguerite: An Earth Story (Paperback)

I love this book, and I like to read it to my 5 year old son who loves it as well.

What makes this book stand out is all the awesome textures of the illustration, which is build from recycled magazine cutouts.. It's beautiful.

Jay and Laura O'Callahan makes for a fine team, I would love to see more published material from the duo.