Big Juicy Earthworm

Born in 1983, Katarina Macurova is an award-winning artist whose innovative work spans from graphics and illustration to 3D graphics. She studied at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava, Slovakia, and has won several prestigious awards, including the Communication Arts Award of Excellence in the USA. Hailing from Bratislava, Slovakia, she continues to push the boundaries of her artistry.

Selected for CBC's Favorites: K-2nd Grade Children's FavoritesChildren's Book Council Favorites Winner - Children's Favorites 2025 & Librarian Favorites 2025Selected for CBC's Summer Showcase 2024: Imagination CelebrationSelected for The Children’s Book Council’s April 2024 “Hot Off The Press” Reading ListFeatured in April 2024 CBC Hot Off the Press Spotlight"There’s nothing friends can’t accomplish together. Chicken pals Pipo, Bud, and Kenny create ingenious playthings from found objects: A box becomes a pirate ship; a bag becomes a kite. Above all, they love being together. One day, they find half a watermelon. While Bud and Kenny immediately start devouring the succulent fruit, Pipo is more interested in the nearby earthworm whose head temptingly rises aboveground. But, as hard as Pipo pulls, he can’t dislodge it. Finally, Pipo uses a fishing rod to yank it out: success! Except…this worm’s no worm. Pipo’s actually extracted a bootlace attached to a huge boot, which turns out to be a jolly plaything. (Sharp-eyed readers will spot something very interesting peering from the boot’s hole.) Meanwhile, Bud and Kenny have been closely observing Pipo’s activities from the now-empty watermelon rind, to which they’ve added inventive touches. The friends, realizing they miss each other on this hot day, reunite and, pulling out their most creative (and wettest) stops, devise their best project yet—“something the whole neighborhood could enjoy.” Originally published in the Czech Republic, this joyous romp about friendship and cooperation is a comic delight. Kids will savor both the narrative and the winning illustrations and the endearing, adorable characters; they’ll also marvel that the friends’ found objects seem always to be readily handy. A juicy, entertaining charmer. (Picture book. 4-7)" —Kirkus Reviews"A BIG JUICY EARTHWORM explores the elements of friendship and imagination as the three chicks get together for an adventure. I love how inventive they are both trying to pull the worm out and after they do. The illustrations are cute with simple detailing and this would be a great present for Easter with chicks as the main characters. Final Verdict: This is an adorable story that I would recommend to children aged four and up who like animals and adventure. It'll also expand their imagination while learning inventive play styles from these chicks." —Bethany Wicker, YA Books Central"This is quite an adorable story. The little chicks are bright yellow, Pipo wears glasses while Kenny wears a red baseball cap. The illustrations are full of kid appeal. A super fun storytime readaloud." —Katrina Yurenka, Retired Librarian, Youth Services Book Review"This is a darling book. It's a great book for seeing different ways of doing things, and it's wonderful for talking about friendship. I really enjoyed finding the earthworm, too." —GMCS, Librarian"Large bold, colorful illustrations and a simple storyline will keep beginning readers engaged. This would work ell in a group story time, with a discussion of working and playing together." —Puget Sound Council for Reviewing Children's and Young Adult Literature"A wonderful and fun book! Three adventurous friends—Kenny, Pipo and Bud— have different interests, and it’s okay. Pipo goes off on his own adventure one day, and discovers something very unusual. But he knows it would be much more fun to play with if he includes his friends—so they all team up. Absolutely heartwarming, and highly recommended." —Shonatiger, Blogger