I Can Only Draw Worms
The thing about counting books is that they rarely surprise. There’s a certain inevitability that means the ending can be predictable. While (spoiler alert) this book does end in 10, there are mishaps and uncertainties along the way. Yes, counting may seem simple, but these worms are unruly and Mabbitt can’t really seem to control them. Some of the worms are missing! Others are having space adventures! One just nipped to the loo! Mabbitt shakes up the classic structure of the normally linear one-to-ten narrative. There’s even a fraction involved.
Mabbitt has a confession to make: he can only draw worms. The simplicity and truth of this will appeal to children who know they can draw far more than that and adults who may have forgotten they can draw at all. This early show of honesty proves freeing, creating space to imagine what some of the worms get up to between one page and the next. It’s fun and teasing and makes for some laugh-out-loud moments.
The book is a mishmash of styles, with fonts from Courier to handwriting, trendy neon colours and simple worm portraits. The colours are bright and bold and striking. It suits the giddy and slightly confused tone of the overall book.
Mabbitt might only be capable of drawing worms but this book proves that you don’t need to be able to draw anything else.
