Customer Reviews

Winnie Finn, Worm Farmer

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love Winnie! She's not only earthworm crazy, but she's one clever gal. Winnie Finn would love to win a prize at the county fair so she can get a new wagon. But she quickly learns there is no prize given for worms. Not to worry...this clever girl figures out another way her worms can help her win that prize.

The illustrations add to the humor of the story and reveal clues, hinting at Winnie's plan.

Kids & parents will love this lively, fast paced story. Fun worm facts included in the story, as well as directions for making your own worm farm, make it ideal for the classroom!

This book is so much fun on so many levels. Carol's story brings the memory of the fun of county fairs but also a strong message of the interdependence of nature and human beings. Ard Hoyt's depiction of Winnie captures the character's complexity--she's a girly tomboy, at ease in jeans while handling worms, yet properly accessorized! This book would be great in the primary grade classroom, but parents can enjoy it with their children as well. Expect more books from this talented author!

Winnie Finn was one of those strange kids who loved things like worms. Mind you, most little girls can't stand them, but she even would turn over rocks in hopes of finding them. She just didn't pick them up, she even would take them for a ride in her old wagon and have worm races. She knew all kinds of interesting facts about them, but no one else was interested. She was dreaming about winning a blue ribbon and a prize at the Quincy County Country Fair to get a new wagon to cart them around in, but people like Mr. Abernathy tried to set her straight. He was a little stuck up and said to her, "Nonsense! There's no prize for worms." Of course he was planning on taking a blue ribbon for his corn, but needed some decent fertilizer.

Mrs. Yamasaki-O'Sheridan, who was planning on winning a prize for her Plymouth Rock hens said about the same thing, but she needed a better feed. Mr. Peasley, who had some Afghan pups with scruffy coats, needed something to shine the coats up and he didn't think there was a prize for worms either. It looked like Winnie Finn was just going to have to settle for her old wagon with two regular wheels, one bicycle tire and one roller skate. Her cat and her worms didn't notice, but she did. Winnie Finn also noticed and knew something else about worms. She "knew how to find the right corn fertilizer and the right chicken feed. And she knew how to give puppies shiny coats." Winnie was a worm gal and she knew just how to solve everyone's problems. Maybe she could raise enough money for that new wagon and worms were just the answer!

Winnie Finn, the girl who knows all about worms will show us all how to be eco-friendly . . . in a funtastic wormy sort of way. I loved this story about a little gal whose knowledge about worms and going green with them was actually quite fun and very entertaining. The story was presented in a way that was very interesting and informative while remaining a simple, easy to read book. I found Winnie and her yucky love of worms to be very humorous and the artwork meshed perfectly in that regard. It is one of those stories where children can actually learn something without even trying. In the back of this very popular book, there is an author's note that gives instructions on how to make a red wiggler composting bin. There are also a handful of recommended book and website resources. Going green? Go Winnie Finn!

Winnie Finn desperately needs a new red wagon to cart around her beloved collection of earthworms, and she knows just the means of getting enough money to purchase one. The upcoming Quincy County Fair offers prize money for various categories, and Winnie hopes that she can win a prize for the best worms. Not only do her neighbors inform her that there is no such category, they are intent on winning awards themselves for things like tallest corn, most chicken eggs, and prettiest puppies. They even promise to share the money with anyone who can help them win. It's up to Winnie to find a way to have her neighbors make good on their promises, and perhaps her worms can help.

With its unconventional female protagonist and clever storyline, Winnie Finn, Worm Farmer packs a powerful punch with lessons in economics about distribution and natural resources. The blend of substantive content, an engrossing story, and delightful illustrations will leave a lasting impression about the possibilities that come with a good idea.

This is just the kind of book a kid, boy or girl both, will love to have on their bookshelf. They'll take it down, page through it again, and yes they might even start collecting worms or something! One day when they're grown up they're suddenly scientists, botanists, environmental engineers or owners of a plant nursery. I had similar books like this growing up and they ended years later in tatters. It's so great to see a new book, modern for today's kids, with the same feeling, and a really high level of illustration too.