Thorndyke Dreams of Worms

Hey Kids,

I woke up from my hibernation to get a little drink of water and had trouble falling back to sleep. Does that ever happen to you? So here I am, awake even though it’s winter outside. Sigh.

It’s kind of boring to hibernate, even if it is cozy to be in the warm dark. I thought writing to you might help me go back to sleep. Let’s see… what should I write about?

Did you know bears aren’t the only creatures who hibernate? That’s right. Hedgehogs, woodchucks and squirrels all hibernate too. And frogs and worms “estivate” which is like hibernating, but instead of just staying warm it also helps keep them from drying out too much.

Some of my favorite people are worms.

In the winter, worms burrow deep underground, curl into a slime-coated ball and go into a sleep-like state very similar to bears. Bears do this without needing to be coated in slime, which is better, but for worms, the slime helps keep them from accidentally drying out. Deep underground, the soil stays at a fairly constant temperature, keeping the worms nice and cozy for their nap.

Let’s meet some of my favorite worms:

Lowly Worm

Having only one leg must make putting on pants really easy. He also has a really cool apple car he drives around town in and can fly like a helicopter. If you don’t already know him, you can meet Lowly in Richard Scarry’s Best Lowly Worm Book Ever.

Slimey

Slimey is Oscar the Grouch’s pet worm, who can play the tuba! He has a little sister named Sloppy. I’ve always wanted a sister. Do you have any siblings? Slimey makes a guest appearance in A Day in the Life of Oscar the Grouch, if you’d like to meet him. 

Earthworm and Glow-Worm 

Earthworm and Glow-Worm spend time with James inside the Giant Peach. Do you know that book? Now it’s a movie too. Earthworm bravely saves the day by acting as bait for some seagulls, and Glow-Worm helps light up the inside of the peach so it is a nice place to be. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a friend who could light up like Glow-Worm? 

Hmm. I am still not sleepy.

Perhaps if you read me a book about worms? Do you have any?

Here are some other ones that I like...

The Worm Family Has Its Picture Taken

I Can Only Draw Worms

Owly & Wormy, Friends All Aflutter (there’s a second book too!)

Superworm

Bad Apple

Inch by Inch

Hey kids, it's the CPL Librarians. Shhhh… Thorndyke finally went back to sleep. Let’s let him get some good rest so he’ll be ready to hang out with us in the spring. Thanks for your help reading to him!