Books for Benjamin

by R.G. de Rouen, Uliana Barabash (Illustrator)

2024 Readers' Choice Gold Award Winner-Best Children's Book 3-7
2023 Reader’s Favorite Silver Award Winner
2023 Global Award Winner for Humor
2022 Literary Titan Gold Award Winner
CLC award winner 1st place for excellence in Children's Fiction

Benjamin would rather read about adventures in a giant peach than eat one!

Unlike his family members who are happily munching away on scraps, Benjamin is a different kind of worm. He loves to read. Yet, all he finds are old newspapers and magazines full of tomato splotches. Not one to give up on his dreams, Benjamin sets off on a quest to find “real" books.
Witty illustrations by Uliana Barabash are a great accompaniment to this delightful story written by R.G. de Rouen.

Join Benjamin on his book-hunting adventure and watch your little ones search for Benjamin’s famous signature in their books!

The perfect choice for parents, teachers and librarians l ooking
BUY NOW and rekindle the joy that you had as a child of going to the library and discovering that first book!
Once you see this ebook, you will want to get the Paperback as well.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction

32 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 22, 2022

About the author

R.G. de Rouen is a graduate of the Institute of Children's Literature in Connecticut and writes fiction that inspires a love of reading with a pinch of humor along the way. Throughout his 30+ years as an elementary teacher throughout the world, he has also been an advocate of animal and nature protection which he brings into his nonfiction stories.

Books For Benjamin, his first picture book, has been widely recognized and received several awards, including the Readers’ Favorite Silver Medal. Like his fictional character Benjamin, R.G. de Rouen can’t live without books!

Mother To Elephants, a non-fiction picture book biography, portrays the life of Dame Daphne Sheldrick. Her dedication in rescuing baby orphan elephants in Kenya, serves as a great inspiration to children and adults alike.

To find out more about the author, please visit him at www.rgderouen.com or follow him on Facebook @R.G. de Rouen, author, Instagram @rg.derouen_author, or Pinterest @rgderouenauthor.

Reviews

[Rosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a Nutshell: A cute indie picture book for early readers. Takes the word ‘bookworm’ to a whole new level!

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Plot Preview:

Benjamin the worm lives in the back lot of a grocery store with his family. While the rest of the worms devour their way through scraps, Benjamin eats up books, not in the way a worm should but by actually reading them. Imagine the horror of his family at this unhealthy habit!
As Benjamin wants more reading material than he finds, he makes an ingenious plan to get access to books. But his plan, while taking some stumbles at the start, works even better than he dreamt.

The story of this book is obviously exaggerated, as is evident from the fact that Benjamin the worm can actually read books. But that’s the fun of reading a children’s story – its imaginativeness needs no bounds.

Benjamin is a wonderful character, what with his love for books and his courage in pursuing his dreams. Little readers will surely enjoy his adventurous quest for new reading material, which culminates in a location they might not even have heard of. The ending made me chuckle, while still impressing me with how creatively the author had created a connection between Benjamin and a symbol that is found in every book.

There are some fun facts at the end about libraries and about the special symbol, both of which sync perfectly with the plot.

On the flip side, the second half of the story goes by too fast and on too grand a scale. The reactions and situations seem exaggerated, even for a fanciful picture book. I’d also have loved some details on why Benjamin chose that specific letter of the alphabet as his signature, especially as his name doesn’t begin with it.

The story is written in text blocks of 1-2 sentences, and each page contains not more than 3-4 such blocks. Thus, the textual content is a little more than typical in beginner-level picture books, but the page layout makes it easy on the eyes. There are a couple of difficult words herein, but these can be explained with adult guidance.

I am not sure what art style the illustrations are in (pastel sketches made digitally, perhaps?), but they complement the story in cuteness as well as vibrancy. However, at times, the size of the critters in the story wrt other elements isn’t on a realistic scale, making them appear more like colourful snakes and giant bugs than like regular-sized insects.

All in all, a sweet little story for little book lovers, combining a whimsical plot with some interesting facts. Maybe kids won’t be so afraid of worms after getting to know Benjamin. 😉 This book would work well for little readers aged 3-8 years.

3.75 stars.


I received a complimentary copy of this book through a StoryOrigin promotion. This review is voluntary and contains an honest opinion about my reading experience.


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[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Books for Benjamin is a super Cute picture book for children about a worm called Benjamin who lives with his family in the bins outside Mr Greens grocers. His family survive eating the rotting fruits and vegetables dumped into the buns each day. But Benjamin is more interested in reading books and is a real book worm (sorry couldn't resist lol). One night Benjamin sneaks inside and crawls between the pages of a newspaper hoping he gets taken home to somebodies house with lots of books. Benjamin gets a real scare when he's almost squashed and then eaten but soon makes some new friends who help him to achieve his dreams. This is so cute and Benjamin is the cutest worm ever. I also loved that the book mentions the Library of Congress and what it is and what's kept there. A super Cute book for all little bookworms.

[Linda Galella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming and informative storybook that will encourage your littles to become enamored with BOOKS!

Benjamin is a worm who loves books; books about anything and everything. In this 32 page adventure, we get to follow him from the garbage bin outside the neighborhood grocery store all the way to the Library of Congress as he follows his passion for books and reading.

Along the way, we are introduced to Benjamin’s family, friends and facts about libraries and books. Uliana Barabash’s artwork is bright and colorful with a whimsical sense of humor. Author, R. G. de Rouen does a good job summarizing facts at the close of the story. Altho’ the book is geared towards very young readers, the vocabulary is advanced and will require adults or older children.

A great addition to any school or family library📚

[QNPoohBear · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free e-copy of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own and not affected by the giveaway. Thank you, thank you to R.G. de Rouen, BookBub and Story Origin. .

Benjamin is a little worm who prefers reading the newspapers in the trash to eating the trash! He doesn't fit in with his family who don't see the value in reading. Nevertheless, little Benjamin is a persistent little worm determined to find books to read! When he unexpectedly finds himself in the best place he could possibly be, he leaves his mark on the books he reads. Clever readers will recognize his mark.

This is THE most adorable book I have read all year! I got warm fuzzies and felt like a kid again just learning to read. I always have my nose stuck in a book when others are socializing or eating. Benjamin is such a sweet little worm. Let's not think about the fact real book worms eat BOOKS not read them. I love anthropomorphized animal books so I will let that slide. Benjamin teaches kids to value reading for the sake of reading and not to give up on their goals. He wants to read and is determined to find a way to get to books. The story is super sweet and a lot of fun. I didn't expect Benjamin to end up where he did or do what he did so it was a surprise for me, an adult reader.

The illustrations are bright and colorful with various colored bugs and a few diverse humans. Benjamin is a purple worm with big eyes that invite the reader to love him.

I recommend this book for young and old readers. Every library should have a copy. It would be fun for storytime. The back of the book has information about libraries, the Library of Congress and a link to the author's website. I can see a librarian reading this book and crafting Benjamin, and having kids making books and stamps.

[Star Gater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for accepting my request to read and review Books For Benjamin.

Author: R.G.de Rouen
Published: 11/01/22
Genre: Children's Fiction

Illustrations are spot-on beautiful. The colors are vibrant and eye-catching. The cover filled my heart.

The story is creepy fun. In the beginning I was stymied, and at one point thought are you kidding me. Then it happened, I laughed out loud. Factoring in hindsight, I fell in love. The story is funny and nonsensical until it's not. Towards the end, I chuckled and thought of myself.

The copyright mark was a genius part of the story.

I absolutely would gift this to anyone who collects books. These people move their shelves around and have trinkets, they ooze sugar over a beautiful cover. This would be a nice, I do listen and know you love books gift.

For kids, certainly. This does require parental guidance explaining fact from fiction. (Everyone needs to be taught do not write in a library book.)

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benjamin the worm is not like the rest of his family; instead of being satisfied simply eating the garbage behind Mr. Green’s grocery, Benjamin would prefer to devour books. However, behind the grocery, Benjamin only has access to old newspapers, and he dreams of reading more. So one day, Benjamin puts a plan into action that will get him into a house that is sure to be filled with the books he so desires. The plan works, but Benjamin does not get to stay in his new home as long as he would like; instead, new friends transport Benjamin to a magical place that is filled with books that keep Benjamin busy for weeks to come.

This imaginative picture book introduces readers to a learned earthworm who has not only taught himself to read but who can also communicate with all manner of additional creatures—including humans. While there is very little based on the reality of worms as earth-dwellers, readers will nonetheless appreciate Benjamin’s story as he pursues his own passions even when his family is less than supportive of them. The text is of minimal quantity, making the book accessible to a wide range of ages; however, elementary school-aged readers will enjoy this book the most.

Interestingly, the illustrations are repeated intentionally throughout the text, which draws more attention to specific elements of the images as the story progresses. These visuals are filled with soft lines, visual texture, and expressive faces that will engage young readers whether they are comfortable reading the text themselves or not. At the end of the book, readers will find additional information about libraries in general and the Library of Congress specifically, as well as a brief explanation of Copyright and its importance in human creation. Elementary school-aged readers are sure to learn something new as they read this story while they are simultaneously being entertained by both the text and the illustrations. This is a charming addition to library collections for young children.

I received a copy of this book from Reedsy and I chose to leave this review.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once, a little purple worm wanted more out of life than to eat rotting trash. This worm's name is Benjamin, and his only desire in life is to read as many books as he can. So one day, he comes up with a plan to sneak away from the grocery store where he lives and go home with someone to read their books. Unfortunately, things do not go as planned, and Benjamin almost ends up as a tasty treat for a cat and bird. Thankfully he escapes and, with the help of some new friends, makes his way to a library where his life is forever changed. Benjamin starts a new page in his life and soon has all the books his heart could ever desire to read.

Children's author R.G. de Rouen has written an entertaining and educational picture book called Books for Benjamin. The loveable worm Benjamin has a passion for reading that is contagious. It shows as he introduces stories to his new friends, and children reading this story will feel the excitement of finding new things to read and learn. Illustrator Uliana Barabash brings the story to life with fun drawings that will entice children to follow along in the story.

I love that there is an explanation of the Library of Congress and a simple overview of copyright included in this children's book. The characters show the importance of libraries and the job of librarians to children in an approachable way. Children learn that libraries are so much more than just a building with books in them. This would make a great book to read to kindergarteners as they prepare to visit the school library.

Books for Benjamin is a whimsical picture book about a bookworm and his journey to find more things to read. It is light-hearted and funny but provides an important message on the importance of libraries and the services they provide to people. This amazing children's book is perfect for preschool and lower elementary kids to help instill a love of reading at an early age.

[Avidreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute picture book capturing the adventurous journey of a purple worm. A worm who loves to read. Here we meet Benjamin the real bookworm!!

Benjamin, a young worm, lived with his family at the back of Mr. Green’s grocery store. The family had enough supply of rotten food perfect for a worm family. Benjamin is different from his family. He had no interest in those foods, instead, he took more interest in the newspapers the food came wrapped in. He is passionate about reading, but all he gets to read is old newspapers. He is a voracious reader, and wants to read real books. So, he comes up with an idea and manages to stow away inside a fresh paper to the home of an elderly woman, who shoos him away. This was quite an adventure for the purple worm.

After a lucky escape from a cat and a macaw, Benjamin lands up with good friends like dragonfly Whizby, ladybug Dotty, and ant Ginger. With the help of new friends, Benjamin reaches the local library where he reads every day. When the librarian Miss Nicholas discovers Benjamin, she is really impressed by the number of books he has read. She learns about his love and enthusiasm for reading, and she resolves to help Benjamin accomplish his dreams. She takes him on a train to the Library of Congress. This journey to the Library of Congress alters his life forever. Finally, his dream comes true.

The book is written beautifully in simple and easy to understand text. The illustrations are unique, lively and colourful making the reading experience enjoyable. I am impressed how the author has personified a worm, who never gives up reading and fulfills his dream of reading books.

‘Books for Benjamin’ is a cute, adorable and well-thought value-based story. The book emphasizes on the importance of being focused, dedicated and persistence towards one’s ambition and press-on to achieve them. The book has also won the Literary Titan Gold Award for the year2022. I really adore the way book introduces children to the importance of books and libraries. The book explains beautifully the role of librarians and how they can make a difference. The author has tried to give a profound message about the significance of libraries and its services. This book is ideal for read aloud session in the library. ‘Book for Benjamin’ is perfect for school libraries or for gifting. It is an excellent teaching tool for instilling love of books among children. I recommend this book for children aged 2-8 years old.

I would end my review with a quote by Walt Disney “All our dreams come true, if we have the courage to pursue them”.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Books Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

This work by R.G de Rouen was like a new, breezy and fresh perspective that's come to life. It is the story of a "bookworm". No, not a person who reads too much, but an actual worm who loves to, and wants to read as much as he can. Sounds intriguing, right? This concept itself had me looking forward to getting my hands on this and reading it from cover to cover. And having accomplished that, I was left smiling, satisfied that the plot indeed delivered what the concept of the book had promised.

Meet the eponymous protagonist of the work, Benjamin the worm. He's unique, forever eager to learn more, and to top it all off, very persistent. We are introduced to him and his family through a series of contrasting images. While others from his family waste their lives by devouring rotting food every day; Benjamin spends his time chasing his dream of becoming an unparalleled voracious reader. And so he sets out on a journey of discovery. He gets knocked around and lands into all sorts of difficulties owing to his microscopic stature. But he finds good friends along the way. Be it Whizby, or Nicholas, all help him in one way or the other, in making his dream finally come true.

The work is like a modern beast fable, though the hero is not exactly a beast. But that only adds to the relatable element as it hints that even the smallest of creatures have a right to fulfill their dreams, and that is a well-grounded moral as well. The characters all possess that human element, with Benjamin being the most human of all. The illustrations deserve their due commendations. They are well-drawn and vibrant, adding life to the sparse dialogue of the story. The language is not complex as the book targets young readers, but I think that even adults could take away an important life lesson from this one. Highly recommended!

[Theediscerning · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy way to get five stars from this reviewer is to go above and beyond. If you're non-fiction you ace it and prove you're the best choice of teller of the best story, but with fiction it's even easier (he joked) – you just have to do everything expected, plus that little bit extra, whether it be nuance, content or just joke. And this practically achieved that.

This is the simple-seeming story of a humble worm called Benjamin, who wants to forsake the task of composting stuff behind a grocer's and read all he can. For yes, he is a literal bookworm, even if this doesn't go as far as to say that. And so he smuggles himself into a random newspaper when it gets delivered, ready for someone who hopefully owns books to purchase it and take him home with them. It's as far as I can go to say things don't completely work to plan.

But that is the first third of this story, as Benjamin finds himself somewhere else where he can read more successfully, and then somewhere else in turn – and then comes the final sting, the twisting joke, the real bobby dazzler that does suggest this is top notch. Now other people might think it insignificant, or inconsequential, or just too daft to count, but it certainly made me laugh. Now I am the type of person for whom books that are practically adverts for books and reading score highly, and this is one, and they don't always translate to immediate appeal for the target reader. But is there harm in having this on the shelf? Is there point of order or lack of quality that reduces the star rating from maximum? I doubt it, for either question.

So while I could see kids giving this three or four stars, this still-smiling adult heartily recommends this easily-read, well-crafted slice of fiction – and its little bit extra.

[Vowelor Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books for Benjamin by R.G. de Rouen is a Children’s book, published in 2022. It is a fictional story, personifying a worm who has a thirst for reading.

This book is a perfect fit for young individuals who will not only get inspired but also learn something new through the story.



Benjamin and his worm family lived in the back lot of a grocery store surrounded by rotten food perfect for a warm family. but Benjamin had no interest in those foods, instead, he took more interest in the newspapers the food came wrapped in.

In the thirst for reading and finding new books, Benjamin went on a journey that led him to The Library of Congress.

The illustrations in the story are vibrant and unique, as the pictures are made in a drawing style, it makes the characters and the story all the more fun and might also inspire your child to try to draw some of them.

The book has also won the Literary Titan Gold Award for the year 2022. Overall, R.G. de Rouen’s ‘Books for Benjamin’ is a well-thought-through, knowledge and value-based story, perfect for the young ones. It is a neat and crisp story with great plot development.


⭐ Rating: 5/5
✅ Verdict: A beautifully illustrated, fun, and inspiring story of a literal ‘book worm’. A perfect read for young ones!

👉 Read the full review of Books for Benjamin by R.G. de Rouen on Vowelor.

[Lucinda Mayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both story and illustrations are genuinely appealing to children: I first read this with a well-read six-year-old who loved it, though a wider range of younger and older readers is apt, and I'll definitely use it in ESL classes for all ages. I was initially surprised by how much I enjoyed it, until I saw that it was written by a veteran primary teacher who'd also taken the time to seriously study writing-for-children, and illustrated by a fine artist from the Ukraine whose drawings are wildly colorful, a little edgy and thoroughly captivating. Still, I should note that I'm truly picky about children's books: my most-beloved aunt was in library school when I was born, and over the next few formative years she did all of her children's reading projects with me as a 'guinea pig'. Then as the oldest of six siblings, who always liked reading (& on-demand re-reading!) bedtime stories aloud, and someone who babysat other families' kids from junior high through college; as a teacher and a bookseller, even, I've read a LOT of books for young people over the years. Books for Benjamin impressed me -- it would've been just about perfect even without the afterwords on libraries and copyright, or the very clever touch of Benjamin 'making his mark', but those two elements -- along with its consistently natural tone, which is tough to achieve in children's books -- raised it to a whole other level.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of eBook

Benjamin and his worm family lived in the back of a grocery store. They all ate through the scraps the grocer, Mr. Green, threw away.

All except Benjamin. He much preferred reading about peaches to eating them.

Benjamin’s brother, Digger, laughed; his parents wondered if he was okay. After all, whoever heard of a worm who read?

One night, Benjamin inched through a crack in Mr. Green’s wall and hid himself in a newspaper. He was certain someone would buy the paper and take him home. Then, Benjamin thought, he’d be able to read real books!

What will happen to Benjamin? And will his family come to understand his love of books?

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The target audience for this delightful picture book is the young reader, ages two through eight. The charming tale of a worm who embraces something different will help young readers see that differences are positive and everyone has something to contribute.

Striking, full-color illustrations fill each page, inviting the young reader to explore both the words and the pictures. And finding Benjamin’s “mark” in a book will remind them of the little bookworm’s joy in reading.

Benjamin’s trip to the library is sure to encourage the young reader to take a similar trip . . . and discover the joys of shelves filled with books! This is a perfect picture book to help young readers develop a love of books and of reading.

Highly recommended.

[NBPB Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benjamin and his worm family reside behind a grocery shop. He's not just any old worm. Benjamin is a voracious reader, much to his family's displeasure. While his family seeks rotten foods, he enjoys reading. Benjamin looks for books to read. One day, he decides to venture further from his home to fulfill his need for knowledge. But then everything goes wrong.

We picked this book for its cover. Benjamin inspires you to discover and pursue your desire, regardless of the obstacles. The story is beautifully accompanied by quirky visuals. This book might spark a discussion about passion and hobbies in young children.

Books For Benjamin by R G de Rouen and Uliana Barabash depict Benjamin's ambition to find a way to his desired objective in an inspiring and entertaining manner through simple and vivid illustrations.
Read the full review at Nothing But Picture Books

[Reading Adventures · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding story for every book loving family, like us. We get to meet Benjamin. He isn't your ordinary worm. He doesn't find joy in eating trash and things like the other worms. Benjamin loved to read. He wants to read more than what is in the trash, he wants to read books and more. After hitching a ride in a newspaper and finds himself in trouble and looking for a safe place. Some unexpected friends take him to an amazing place ... the library. He was so happy. After meeting the librarian he knows he has found his place where he belongs and is truly happy.
We can't get enough of this adorable story. As a family of book worms this was the perfect story for us. I love how encouraging this is about reading and how wonderful the library is. The illustrations are positively perfect for the story. This is a book that we will read again and again. It will be a great addition to our home library.
I am beyond thankful to the author and publishers and Story Origin for allowing me and my little ones to enjoy the ebook of this story.
Perfect.
Enjoy this book adventure together!
A million stars for this story⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Barbara Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the most creative picture fiction book that I've seen in a long time.

The protagonist is a worm named Benjamin who has no desire to fit in with his family and worm friends. He loves books and wants to spend all his time reading. He fashions a plan to escape his life in a grocery store by hiding in a newspaper but when the purchaser discovers him she tries to kill him. Benjamin narrowly escapes but finds a dragonfly, ant, and ladybug to bring him to a safe place. Can you guess where that might be? Soon Benjamin finds himself in trouble again until he finds a sympathethic librarian who succeeds in making him famous.

Elementary school readers will turn each page as they follow this adventure, delight in the fanciful illustrations, and learn about the value of reading and safeguarding our literature. A bonus section features the history of the library.

Highly recommend the book and hope to see more creativity from this autho

[Nanuska_153 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm one of those people that takes Children's literature quite seriously. If you are not like me, you will like this book, the illustrations are lovely and it's a good way to introduce children to libraries. Now for the ones that overanalyze: there are parts of the narration that without the drawings don't make sense and with the drawings only a little. The narration lacks smooth continuity, it feels a bit like a kid telling a story "this happened...and then this...". I know it's a book for small kids but there are thousands of examples of books for little ones where the narration is fluid. Lastly I could never forgive that worm for marking the books with ink, even when I can see the fun in kids looking for the mark.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for this advance reading copy

[_sassy_39 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books For Benjamin written by the author R.G. de Rouen is for readers of the age group 2-8 years.

The story features a little worm Benjamin. He is unlike other worms who are just interested in eating the scraps thrown by the grocer Mr Green. Benjamin loves reading but he is tired of reading old newspapers and magazines. He wants to read real books. He has an interesting plan for that.

Get a copy of this book and read it to know what's in Benjamin's mind. Uliana Barabash has done great work as an illustrator. The colorful pages of the book will catch kids' attention on the first look. I appreciate the storytelling skills of the author. This book inspired me to go on a book hunt. Also, I am Benjamin myself. Add this book to your children's bookshelf. It's a book worth reading. This book will inspire the little readers to develop a habit of reading.

[Andrea Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books for Benjamin
4.5 Stars

I really enjoyed Books for Benjamin. It's a fun, fast read.

Benjamin isn't like the rest of his family. He's not content to eat trash. He's perfectly fine being different. So, he comes up with a plan to get himself closer to what he loves; books. Come join Benjamin, the purple worm, on his adventure to find where he belongs.

The illustrations are brightly colored and adorable. I loved the characters' expressive facial expressions. They're so engaging! I couldn't help loving the cute art style. The text is easy to read. I appreciated the Do You Know? Section at the end of the book. I learned a few new things.

Overall, it's a great book. This book is for all the wild ones out there that make their own path. I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Carlee Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benjamin is different than the rest of his family. He wants to read books and learn, not eat garbage. Through a series of adventures, Benjamin seeks to get away from his family so he can read more. He becomes a household name. The illustrations were great. I haven't read children's fiction much this year, but this was super fun. It is meant for kids around 2-8 years old. I really appreciated how it took a forgotten or even disliked creature like a worm and made it the hero of the book. I would recommend it to children and their families. Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this silly and educational read!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever story to explain the copyright mark in books. Benjamin wants more than eating the spoiled fruit in the trash behind the grocery store. He comes up with a plan to hide and be taken somewhere there are books. Through several humorous adventures and some new friends, Benjamin ends up at the public library. When he is caught, the librarian takes him to the largest library around - The Library of Congress. It's here that Rouen finally shows readers what Benjamin's mark looks like.
Delightful book about encouraging someone who doesn't fit the norms and who has so much to give with their own talents. Great way to introduce libraries and learn about The Library of Congress.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good, clever & whimsical🐛

The story was cute when it came to Benjamin the worm and his journey from trashcans to the Library of Congress, and also informative. Benjamin had ambitions that his family, busily chomping away on wilted lettuce and other scraps, just did not understand. His ingenuity in finding a way to the books he wanted to read and the twist about him marking books that he read: very clever!

Initially, reading it on my e-device, the words were not separate; they were all running into each other and therefore difficult to read. If not for that, the whimsy, art and plot would have earned full marks from me. I learned that I was forwarded the wrong version, and in the updated version the word spacing was resolved and my rating went up. So if the same happens to you, seek out the updated, corrected version.

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Benjamin is a worm. Unlike his family who lives on the rotten fruit and vegetables the store owner throws out, Benjamin prefers reading. He slips into the store one night to hide inside a paper. His idea is to be taken to a home where he can read books. Instead he is almost eaten by a parrot. Read this wonderful adventure to see if he succeeds in finding books to read. Cute, while showing the value of reading. There is extra information at the end of the book about libraries.

[Alicia Stonecastle · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Adorable and Creative Way to Encourage a Love of Reading

What a delightful way to inspire children to enjoy reading! This book has all the right ingredients to captivate young readers—charming illustrations, engaging characters, talking animals, humor, and plenty of heart. It’s both fun and educational, making it a perfect choice for families and classrooms alike. If you have a copy in English then you know what the book is about and learning Spanish will be easier with the Spanish version

[Abby Ferns · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful read about a curious little worm named Benjamin, who finds pleasure in reading rather than eating rotten food scraps like the rest of his family.
His desire to read books has him setting off on a search for books to read, which leads to a grand adventure for little Benjamin.
His adventure has a happy ending though, with him finding the biggest library in the country to read books from.
The story will encourage young minds to seek reading as a hobby while also highlighting the benefits of libraries.

[Bibliohiker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. This was a fun read! I like that Benjamin, the worm, wants to read and learn new things. He goes after his dream even though his family doesn’t believe a worm should want to read and learn new things. He sets off on a crazy adventure and finds friends along the way. I like how he sticks with it even when it gets hard. He gets to goto the biggest library in the world and read to his heart’s content.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I knew that the main character in this book had a love of books, and that was what interested me.

This was a charming children's book - it was fun and entertaining, with colourful illustrations. It brought a smile to my face, and I felt like it was a book that celebrated books, which I loved.

Thank you to Booksirens and the author for a free copy to review.

[Bobi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to librarything for the review copy!

This is a cute picture book about a literal bookworm. Benjamin loves to read and wants to find actual books. With the help of some friends, he comes to the town library and reads everything in sight before eventually moving on to the library of congress. He even leaves a mark inside each book he’s read that looks like a copyright symbol. © This is a fun picture book that elementary school students will get a kick out of!

[SKP · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t all that wild about the illustrations, but the story was very cute. I actually didn’t warm up to the story either until the end when Benjamin’s “secret” was revealed. The quality of the pictures was lower than I’m used to from children’s books. The Kindle edition was a little jumpy too, which may have affected my opinion.

[Bookworm_acre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benjamin is a worm who loves to read. So he leaves his home to find more books 📚. It’s a nice and short read about the adventures of a bookworm who became famous 😂

The illustrations are lovely and very colorful and kids will love it for shure.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.