Wouldn't it be wonderful to write and illustrate a picture book? To have BookBairn reading a book I wrote, drew and made just for her...

I Can Only Draw Worms

Wednesday, February 01, 2017 BookBairn 14 Comments

 Wouldn't it be wonderful to write and illustrate a picture book? To have BookBairn reading a book I wrote, drew and made just for her? Well, I confess I have a few story ideas and it's something I might one day tackle but I cannot draw. Not even a little bit. I can sort of copy others' drawings but create something from my own imagination - not a chance.
So I can sympathise with Will Mabbitt who can only draw worms! We were lucky enough to receive an advanced unbound copy of 'I Can Only Draw Worms' and have been reading it for weeks. (It was one that I mentioned in our Most Anticipated Reads of 2017 blog post.) BookBairn calls it the 'wiggly worm book' and she's right - its quite simply a book about worms. Whilst you might think that worms are rather boring, wiggling things that don't do very much you'd be very much mistaken. According to Will Mabbitt, worms have incredible adventures. Unapologetically, Will cannot draw those, so you will have to imagine them! What a great way to engage older readers - they can tell you the stories, perhaps even draw them, of the worms' adventures riding unicorns and travelling into outer space.

BookBairn hasn't quite developed the imaginative skill for that yet - so why does she revisit it again and again? It's also a book about one of her favourite things - it's about counting. Counting worms. One to ten. It's a counting book! But it's packed full of good humour! Has adults laughing over and over as they snort out loud reading the pages. For example, what happens when you cut a worm in half? You get two worms, right? Wrong - you get two half worms!

But perhaps even more engaging than the silly laugh out loud humour is, in fact the illustration. Now, Will modestly says he can only draw worms - this is true - the only illustrations in the book are some worms. But he can pick a striking colour palette. The yellow, pink and black pages break up the story and literally entrance readers. The pink pages are so bright that when BookBairn holds it up to her face the colour reflects and she is a little pink lady! Genius book-making!

Genuinely funny, clever and visually dramatic, this book is truly outstanding! With it's bold yellow cover it will literally stand out on your bookshelves and will have children choosing it over and over again. And, grown-ups reading it will be quite happy to read it over and over. (I can promise you that after many many read the humour still tickles my funnybone!)

Maybe one day I will write a picture book. But one thing's for sure, I won't be drawing the pictures. Unless it's a book about worms. I might just about manage to draw some worms.

Love Mummy and BookBairn xx


*DISCLAIMER* We were sent this copy of 'I Can Only Draw Worms' by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This book is genius - honestly! No need to coerce us on this one.

I just had to include the video below of BookBairn getting frustrated with Mummy's blogging videos. *Translation  "Mummy take the phouey away" : "Mummy stop taking a video, put your phone away!" You can see from her frustration that this book is just to good not to read straight away!


14 comments:

  1. I love the way she reverses in to get onto MummyBookBairn's knees to read the book. Drawing is a talent I don't possess either. Maybe DaddyBookBairn could do your illustrations. This book sounds really great and certainly has BookBairn engaged. She is getting good at counting too.

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    1. Her reversing for story is so cute! Her counting is coming along well. I think you would enjoy the humour in this one! x

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  2. Glad to hear DaddyBairn's counting skills are being good use. I can only draw worms too so Mummy must get it from me

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    1. Yes, drawing is not one of our family talents! But we make up for it in book collecting skills instead!

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  3. This sounds a wonderfully engaging book, the title alone caught my interest! Thanks for sharing with #ReadWithMe

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    1. It's a great title! And a very colourful book!

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  4. I've read several great reviews of this book and I'm really intrigued to read it!

    #ReadWithMe

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    1. It's great Catherine - you should definitely get your hands on a copy!

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  5. this sounds fab - I'm not much good at drawing either - although I am getting better x #readwithme

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    1. I was impressed with your drawings today! I am better when given something to copy but don't ask me to draw from my imagination - everything looks like a squiggle!

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  6. I've always wanted to write a children's book as well. Maybe I will, one day!

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  7. Yes if I ever wrote a kids picture book, I'd certainly need someone else to do the illustrations. I've never drawn a worm, but think that is my level. Lovely book and what a cute video #readwithme

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    1. Thank you! Yes, worms are probably my limit too!

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