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WINNIE FINN, WORM FARMER by Carol Brendler

WINNIE FINN, WORM FARMER

by Carol Brendler and illustrated by Ard Hoyt

Pub Date: Aug. 7th, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-374-38440-1
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Winnie Finn, worm farmer extraordinaire, would love to win a prize at the annual county fair, so she can buy herself a new wagon. But worms are never recognized as trophy winners. Winnie knows better: Raising good red wigglers will help her neighbors earn prizes for the best corn, best egg layer and prettiest Afghan puppy. With a little help from each of her friends, Winnie applies her worm knowledge and ingenuity to help Mr. Abernathy raise the tallest corn, which in turn is fed to Mrs. Yamasaki-O’Sheridan’s productive hens, whose eggs help Mr. Peasley’s pups develop the shiniest coats—resulting in first prizes for all. Brendler creates a clever cumulative ecological tale filled with spunk and a bit of vermiculture. Hoyt’s sprightly cartoons add just the right amount of humorous action to Winnie’s worm-farming tasks, while Winnie’s winning personality allows readers to learn a bit about the positive aspects of worm composting. An author’s note includes directions for creating a worm farm and sources. (Picture book. 5-8)