I Can Only Draw Worms

At the beginning of this apparently simple picture book, the writer/illustrator confesses that he can only draw worms. And worms is what we get – helpfully differentiated by one having glasses, one being yellow for no particular reason, and one being tragically cut in half as the result of an experiment gone wrong. Some of the worms have amazing adventures in space with unicorns, but that’s strictly imaginary.

This genuinely hilarious book is brilliantly simple, based on the idea that the author-illustrator can only draw very childlike worms. Despite the fact that nothing really happens in terms of story, the ongoing joke is tremendously effective, and brings a lovely sense of humorous inclusivity to the idea of drawing and writing a book.

Children can also be really encouraged that it’s possible to create something brilliant without having to draw expertly (although, of course, this is a book of great expertise). Highly recommended.