Carl and the Meaning of Life

by Deborah Freedman

Overview

From the often Caldecott-buzzed Deborah Freedman, a sweet and funny story about finding your place in the world.

Carl is an earthworm. He spends his days happily tunneling in the soil until a field mouse asks him a simple question that stops him short: "Why?" Carl's quest takes him on an adventure to meet all the animals of the forest, each of whom seems to know exactly what they were put on this earth to do, unlike the curious Carl. But it's not until the world around him has changed that Carl begins to realize everyone, no matter how small, makes a big difference just by being themselves.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780451474988
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	04/02/2019
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	174,726
Product dimensions:	9.30(w) x 11.50(h) x 0.60(d)
Lexile:	510L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 5 Years

About the Author

Deborah Freedman (deborahfreedman.net) is a trained architect who now works as an author/illustrator. She is the author of This House, Once, Shy, By Mouse and Frog, The Story of Fish and Snail, Blue Chicken, and Scribble.

Editorial Reviews

02/20/11

Freedman introduces Carl by telling readers what he is not: “Carl was not a bird“ (nor a bear, nor a beaver). Carl is an earthworm, and he lives underneath the other forest animals. A cross-section of soil shows Carl next to a curling line of type describing his daily activities: “burrowing, tunneling, digesting dead leaves... turning hard dirt into fluffy soil.” When a field mouse asks him why he does what he does, Carl’s search for answers keeps him away from his work, and the earth dries up around him. “I can’t find any grubs!” cries a ground beetle. With that, Carl understands his purpose. Freedman’s spreads shows how tiny organisms help to keep the natural world in balance in this inventive worm’s-eye view of the web of life. Ages 3–5. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

★ "Her simple storytelling is supported by fabulous illustrations. . . will help youngsters understand the wonder and interconnectedness of nature." —Booklist, starred review

★ "A must-have in all collections!" —School Library Connection, starred review

★ "A poignant example of the important contributions of even the smallest creature.” —School Library Journal, starred review

"A pleasant, simplified examination of the significance of the lowly earthworm, just in time for garden encounters." —Kirkus Reviews

"Inviting readers to think about howthey, like the indomitable Carl, 'help the earth.'" —The Horn Book

From the Publisher

★ 03/01/2019

PreS-Gr 2—Carl is an earthworm who spends his day tunneling through the soil. When a field mouse asks him why he does what he does, Carl realizes that he does not know—but he is determined to find out. Carl visits with Bear, Rabbit, Fox, and others who are aware of their own purposes, but not Carl's. It takes a tiny ground beetle to enlighten him. Nature-inspired watercolor illustrations are gentle and inviting. The text appears in a simple black font, complementing the artwork. When Carl is busy at his job, the text is white against the brown earth and meanders across the pages, following Carl's tunneling track. Tiny black eyes and communicative postures express the attitudes of Carl and the other animals. But on the last page, when Carl finally learns his raison d'etre, readers also see a hint of his satisfied smile. VERDICT This book is a poignant example of the important contributions of even the smallest creature, but it's better than that—it's a science lesson as well. Freedman subtly explains the delicate balance of nature and each creature's role in maintaining it. Carl is an endearing protagonist.—Lisa Taylor, Florida State College, Jacksonville

School Library Journal

2019-01-28

Earthworm Carl works busily underground, burrowing, eating, and depositing soil-enriching castings—until a field mouse asks, "Why?"

Carl suspends his usual activities to find out, querying a rabbit, fox, squirrel, and many others until, over time, these very creatures are compelled to travel away for sustenance. When a ground beetle despairs, "I can't find any grubs!" Carl realizes that the soil he has neglected has become hard-packed dirt. Suddenly, his purpose is clear. "For hours into days, weeks into months, Carl munched, digested, left castings, and tunneled…and turned that hard dirt back into rich soil." The returning animals appreciate the results: sprouting seeds, blossoming clover, and an integrated ecosystem made possible by earthworms like Carl. Freedman's digitally assembled watercolors feature washes of green, yellow, ocher, and brown. She augments her speaking cast of woodland animals with additional small creatures for children to discover. A brief but pithy author's note celebrates the interconnectedness of all creatures, including the reader. A quote from Darwin on the importance of the earthworm completes the package.

A pleasant, simplified examination of the significance of the lowly earthworm, just in time for garden encounters. (Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews