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How to Catch a Bookworm
Not yet published
Expected 7 Apr 26From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling series comes a delightfully book-tacular new adventure...do YOU have what it takes to catch a BOOKWORM?
Read alongside the How to Catch kids as they scour their books for the squiggly-giggly Bookworm that has escaped their local bookstore! It's up to the Catch Club kids to find this wiggly critter before class begins. Filled with STEAM concepts and an adorably bookish creature, this hilarious picture book is parents, educators, and readers ages 4-10.
Allow me to introduce myself.
I am what is called a BOOKWORM.
Books are what make me happy!
I dive right in, wiggle and squirm.
Also in the How to Catch
How to Catch a UnicornHow to Catch a MermaidHow to Catch BigfootHow to Catch a DinosaurHow to Catch a DragonAnd more!
Read alongside the How to Catch kids as they scour their books for the squiggly-giggly Bookworm that has escaped their local bookstore! It's up to the Catch Club kids to find this wiggly critter before class begins. Filled with STEAM concepts and an adorably bookish creature, this hilarious picture book is parents, educators, and readers ages 4-10.
Allow me to introduce myself.
I am what is called a BOOKWORM.
Books are what make me happy!
I dive right in, wiggle and squirm.
Also in the How to Catch
How to Catch a UnicornHow to Catch a MermaidHow to Catch BigfootHow to Catch a DinosaurHow to Catch a DragonAnd more!
- GenresPicture Books
40 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication April 7, 2026
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 7, 2025
I love books like this that are about books and really fun and imaginative. Kids can put themselves into the adventure, and it's such a cute, funny writing style.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
How to Catch a Bookworm is a wonderful addition to the beloved How to Catch… series and one that book-loving kids will especially enjoy. If your children already love these stories, this title fits right in while bringing something fresh and meaningful to the theme.
The rhyming text is playful, engaging, and easy to follow, making it a great read-aloud choice. The familiar cast of determined kids is back at it again, trying their very best to catch a brand-new “friend” - this time, a sneaky little bookworm. My kids loved following along with the rhythm of the story and eagerly anticipating what trap the kids would try next.
One of our favorite parts was searching for the bookworm throughout the pages. This interactive element keeps children actively engaged and encourages close looking, attention to detail, and participation during read-alouds. It’s the kind of book that naturally invites kids to point, comment, and stay involved from beginning to end.
From a language-learning perspective, this story offers great opportunities for making simple inferences and predictions as the kids design different traps and try to outsmart the bookworm. The repeated structure and rhyme also support early literacy skills, vocabulary development, and phonological awareness.
I especially love how this book celebrates the joy and power of reading in a way that feels fun and accessible to young kids. It delivers an important message - that books and reading are something to be curious about and excited for - without feeling heavy-handed.
This is a fun, engaging story that will resonate with kids who love the How to Catch… series and parents who enjoy books that promote a love of reading while supporting early language and literacy skills.
The rhyming text is playful, engaging, and easy to follow, making it a great read-aloud choice. The familiar cast of determined kids is back at it again, trying their very best to catch a brand-new “friend” - this time, a sneaky little bookworm. My kids loved following along with the rhythm of the story and eagerly anticipating what trap the kids would try next.
One of our favorite parts was searching for the bookworm throughout the pages. This interactive element keeps children actively engaged and encourages close looking, attention to detail, and participation during read-alouds. It’s the kind of book that naturally invites kids to point, comment, and stay involved from beginning to end.
From a language-learning perspective, this story offers great opportunities for making simple inferences and predictions as the kids design different traps and try to outsmart the bookworm. The repeated structure and rhyme also support early literacy skills, vocabulary development, and phonological awareness.
I especially love how this book celebrates the joy and power of reading in a way that feels fun and accessible to young kids. It delivers an important message - that books and reading are something to be curious about and excited for - without feeling heavy-handed.
This is a fun, engaging story that will resonate with kids who love the How to Catch… series and parents who enjoy books that promote a love of reading while supporting early language and literacy skills.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I've always been a little meh on the How to Catch book series. I mean, it's a fun series to be sure—and How to Catch a Bookworm is certainly an entertaining read—filled with color and adventure, something that's sure to catch and keep a kid's attention. And while I loved the imagery in this, seeing all these kids engage in reading different books as the bookworm narrates the importance of them, I find myself thinking that this just isn't a book that I'm going to go out of my way to add to my shelf.
I think it's largely that I just don't fully get the "catching" importance outside of it simply being the theme of the series. All that said, I will admit that this is a super clever way to write a book about the love and importance of reading. And I think, out of all the "Catch a" books, this one is hands down my favorite. There's definitely a more interesting message in this one to me than I've seen in the few others I've read. And I think that just speaks to my love of books more than anything else. I've never been exceedingly drawn to these books, so it may be that this is just an "it's not you, it's me" issue I have.
I do think that there's a lot of worth in these books for those who like them and the children who are entertained by watching the kids concoct elaborate plans for how to catch whatever creature is featured in the book.
This is definitely not a book I'd give to an emerging reader, though. It's another for the "parents must read this to the kiddos" for a bit shelf. It's got words like "figuring," "expecting," "scream," and "busy," all of which are not the sort of books that most kids just learning to read are going to be able to decode.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I think it's largely that I just don't fully get the "catching" importance outside of it simply being the theme of the series. All that said, I will admit that this is a super clever way to write a book about the love and importance of reading. And I think, out of all the "Catch a" books, this one is hands down my favorite. There's definitely a more interesting message in this one to me than I've seen in the few others I've read. And I think that just speaks to my love of books more than anything else. I've never been exceedingly drawn to these books, so it may be that this is just an "it's not you, it's me" issue I have.
I do think that there's a lot of worth in these books for those who like them and the children who are entertained by watching the kids concoct elaborate plans for how to catch whatever creature is featured in the book.
This is definitely not a book I'd give to an emerging reader, though. It's another for the "parents must read this to the kiddos" for a bit shelf. It's got words like "figuring," "expecting," "scream," and "busy," all of which are not the sort of books that most kids just learning to read are going to be able to decode.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As a fan of this series, I went into How to Catch a Bookworm with high expectations. The story follows a group of children as they scour their books to find a bookworm that has escaped from the local bookstore. While the writing lives up to the series' reputation, the visual execution left a lot to be desired.
The Standouts
• Consistent Humor: The writing remains funny and engaging, matching the tone of the previous books in the series.
The Disappointments
• Illustration Mismatch: I was incredibly disappointed with the artwork. The images don't seem to match the written story at all, making it difficult to follow what story the pictures are trying to tell.
• Classic Antics: I always enjoy the creative antics the children get into while trying to catch their target, and this installment did not show those fun, high-energy scenarios.
• Forced STEAM Elements: While the illustrations incorporate aspects of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math), they feel completely unrelated to the plot. It feels more like a forced advertisement for STEAM concepts rather than something that adds value to the storytelling.
Final Verdict: After loving every other book in this series, this one was a letdown. The writing is strong, but the disconnect between the text and the illustrations makes it a frustrating experience. It lacks the cohesive charm that usually makes these books so special.
*ARC provided via Netgalley. Opinions are my own.
The Standouts
• Consistent Humor: The writing remains funny and engaging, matching the tone of the previous books in the series.
The Disappointments
• Illustration Mismatch: I was incredibly disappointed with the artwork. The images don't seem to match the written story at all, making it difficult to follow what story the pictures are trying to tell.
• Classic Antics: I always enjoy the creative antics the children get into while trying to catch their target, and this installment did not show those fun, high-energy scenarios.
• Forced STEAM Elements: While the illustrations incorporate aspects of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math), they feel completely unrelated to the plot. It feels more like a forced advertisement for STEAM concepts rather than something that adds value to the storytelling.
Final Verdict: After loving every other book in this series, this one was a letdown. The writing is strong, but the disconnect between the text and the illustrations makes it a frustrating experience. It lacks the cohesive charm that usually makes these books so special.
*ARC provided via Netgalley. Opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
How to Catch a Bookworm is another addition to the ever growing "How to Catch" series. Alice Walstead is at the helm of this one, and she did not disappoint.
The story is from the perspective of the Bookworm, and it is done in a way what is different than some of the other "How to Catch" has been done. We learn a little more about the creature than we sometimes do and, in this case, we learn that this bookworm LOVES to read. It's a play on the term used for people who love to read and not the literal bookworms that can destroy books, which I found refreshing.
Like usual, the kids of the story are trying to catch this little creature. It made it fun to see the different traps they came up with, as well as the sort of books the kids and the bookworm was reading throughout the story. However, I think what I loved most about this story was that it is fostering a love for books with the kids in the story which, in turn, could foster a love for reading in the littles. It is something that is important, and I'm glad to see it translated in this story.
Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Kids for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The story is from the perspective of the Bookworm, and it is done in a way what is different than some of the other "How to Catch" has been done. We learn a little more about the creature than we sometimes do and, in this case, we learn that this bookworm LOVES to read. It's a play on the term used for people who love to read and not the literal bookworms that can destroy books, which I found refreshing.
Like usual, the kids of the story are trying to catch this little creature. It made it fun to see the different traps they came up with, as well as the sort of books the kids and the bookworm was reading throughout the story. However, I think what I loved most about this story was that it is fostering a love for books with the kids in the story which, in turn, could foster a love for reading in the littles. It is something that is important, and I'm glad to see it translated in this story.
Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Kids for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In How to Catch a Bookworm by Alice Walstead, readers experience the whimsical life of a bookworm who teaches us how fun and hopeful books can be. Through vivid illustrations and short, sweet narration, the story invites young readers into a playful adventure created around the joy of reading.
My children, ages ten and under, thoroughly enjoyed this book, describing it as funny and engaging. They especially liked how it helped them understand that books help us learn and grow. My children, ten and up, did not enjoy the book as much and felt it was better suited for a younger audience. Therefore, I agree with the age range of four through ten.
As an educator, I love how this book is short yet detailed, making it a fun and accessible addition to any lesson. I also appreciate the craft ideas included in the illustrations - they provide parents and teachers with creative inspiration for activities to do after the reading. It would be wonderful to see the imagination from the children as "Bookworm catchers" as a result of this story.
I would reread this book, I thoroughly enjoyed the humor.
My children, ages ten and under, thoroughly enjoyed this book, describing it as funny and engaging. They especially liked how it helped them understand that books help us learn and grow. My children, ten and up, did not enjoy the book as much and felt it was better suited for a younger audience. Therefore, I agree with the age range of four through ten.
As an educator, I love how this book is short yet detailed, making it a fun and accessible addition to any lesson. I also appreciate the craft ideas included in the illustrations - they provide parents and teachers with creative inspiration for activities to do after the reading. It would be wonderful to see the imagination from the children as "Bookworm catchers" as a result of this story.
I would reread this book, I thoroughly enjoyed the humor.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5
As a teacher and mom, I have read other books in the “How to Catch” series. How to Catch a Bookworm starts off engaging the reader by explaining what a bookworm is in rhymes. It is fun for children to find the bookworm in the illustrations. As the story continued, however, I felt some of the rhymes were a bit off and lost the flow of the book.
I did enjoy that the bookworm talks about how reading books helps the bookworm grow. I love this message for children. It also mentions some great vocabulary words to talk to younger children about parts of a book- words and spine, but I wished the story mentioned a few more such as author, cover, illustrations, and genre.
Thank you NetGallery and Sourcebooks Kids for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
As a teacher and mom, I have read other books in the “How to Catch” series. How to Catch a Bookworm starts off engaging the reader by explaining what a bookworm is in rhymes. It is fun for children to find the bookworm in the illustrations. As the story continued, however, I felt some of the rhymes were a bit off and lost the flow of the book.
I did enjoy that the bookworm talks about how reading books helps the bookworm grow. I love this message for children. It also mentions some great vocabulary words to talk to younger children about parts of a book- words and spine, but I wished the story mentioned a few more such as author, cover, illustrations, and genre.
Thank you NetGallery and Sourcebooks Kids for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
December 7, 2025
We love reading the "How to Catch" series of books and this one just adds to the fun!
From my son's review: I liked that the bookworm traveled through books and learned as he went from the words he read. He loved exploring the books and was interested in reading about a bunch of different topics. I loved seeing the creative traps the kids made to try to catch him.
The pictures were really cool and made me want to read more books so a bookworm might come to my room too (but not eat my homework!). My favorite part was the big library adventure because it made me wish I could stay in the library after closing. Can I sleep there?
Thank you to NetGalley and SourceBooks Kids for this ARC in exchange for our honest review.
From my son's review: I liked that the bookworm traveled through books and learned as he went from the words he read. He loved exploring the books and was interested in reading about a bunch of different topics. I loved seeing the creative traps the kids made to try to catch him.
The pictures were really cool and made me want to read more books so a bookworm might come to my room too (but not eat my homework!). My favorite part was the big library adventure because it made me wish I could stay in the library after closing. Can I sleep there?
Thank you to NetGalley and SourceBooks Kids for this ARC in exchange for our honest review.
December 5, 2025
How to Catch a Bookworm is a fun, high-energy celebration of reading that will delight young book lovers. The story engages the power of books and imagination, and the cast of characters reflects a beautiful tapestry of skin tones that mirrors the diversity of our world.
The illustrations are vibrant and playful, drawing kids into each page. I especially appreciated the bolded key words sprinkled throughout the text, which help highlight new vocabulary for little ones to add to their repertoire. This is a great choice for story time, especially for families and classrooms hoping to nurture a love of reading from an early age.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book for review.
The illustrations are vibrant and playful, drawing kids into each page. I especially appreciated the bolded key words sprinkled throughout the text, which help highlight new vocabulary for little ones to add to their repertoire. This is a great choice for story time, especially for families and classrooms hoping to nurture a love of reading from an early age.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book for review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Book 344 of 350 ~ 2025
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
With a title like this, you know I will love this. I did. I read it twice.
Consider this bookworm caught! LOL
I received a complimentary copy of the ebook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#book344of350 #amreading #netgalley #tbrpile #instareads readstagram reading bookreview bookreviewer booklover booksAreLife booksForTheWin booknerds thisbookfairyisreading bookstagram bookstagrammer bookstagramfeature bookshelf booksofinstagram bookish bookworm goodreads booklovers bookaddict theSGbookfairyReads theSGtrekkiereads bookaholic bookchallenge2025 reviews lovebooks
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
With a title like this, you know I will love this. I did. I read it twice.
Consider this bookworm caught! LOL
I received a complimentary copy of the ebook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#book344of350 #amreading #netgalley #tbrpile #instareads readstagram reading bookreview bookreviewer booklover booksAreLife booksForTheWin booknerds thisbookfairyisreading bookstagram bookstagrammer bookstagramfeature bookshelf booksofinstagram bookish bookworm goodreads booklovers bookaddict theSGbookfairyReads theSGtrekkiereads bookaholic bookchallenge2025 reviews lovebooks
December 7, 2025
How to Catch a Bookworm by Alice Walstead is an absolute five-star delight! A fantastic addition to the "How to Catch" series, this picture book captures the pure joy and wonder of discovering new books in a fun, engaging adventure.
The story is highly interactive, following the "Catch Club" kids as they search for an escaped bookworm. With bright, beautiful illustrations and a heartwarming central theme celebrating imagination and literacy, it's a perfect read-aloud choice for children ages 4-10. It’s a guaranteed hit that belongs on every family's bookshelf!
The story is highly interactive, following the "Catch Club" kids as they search for an escaped bookworm. With bright, beautiful illustrations and a heartwarming central theme celebrating imagination and literacy, it's a perfect read-aloud choice for children ages 4-10. It’s a guaranteed hit that belongs on every family's bookshelf!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
How to Catch a Bookworm was a cute story about the love of reading. My 4 year old son really enjoyed finding the bookworm, or a part of him, on each page. The bookworm and the story following his journey between books was fun but I had a hard time understanding the point of the rest of the illustrations of the kids. They didn't seem to go with the words or the story well. We enjoyed the book and will check out the rest of the "How to Catch a" series.
Thank you to Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Kids for the advanced copy!
Thank you to Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Kids for the advanced copy!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received a free eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Another cute entry in the “How to catch” series. This one would be fun for National Library week, or another book-themed storytime. The pictures are super cute - kids will definitely love searching for the bookworm on every page. One quibble I’ve always had with this series though - the rhymes sometimes scan a little weird, like there are too many syllables per line, or the rhyme is a bit tortured. Hard to fall into that fun rhyming storytime rhythm!
Another cute entry in the “How to catch” series. This one would be fun for National Library week, or another book-themed storytime. The pictures are super cute - kids will definitely love searching for the bookworm on every page. One quibble I’ve always had with this series though - the rhymes sometimes scan a little weird, like there are too many syllables per line, or the rhyme is a bit tortured. Hard to fall into that fun rhyming storytime rhythm!
Read
December 11, 2025How to Catch a Bookworm is a celebration of reading and a great story to help get young readers excite about reading. It can engage the littlest ones by trying to find Bookworm in the illustrations, and bigger littles who explore the different types of books that it showcases, opening up the world of reading and all the possibilities it contains!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Sourcebooks Kids and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
My family is obsessed with this series, so when I saw this one was coming out I knew I HAD to read it. It was everything I had hoped for and more. It's hilarious and adorable. The perfect book to make kids want to read more. My boys thought it was great! This is a must read for book loving families!
‼️OUT 5/5/26! ‼️
My family is obsessed with this series, so when I saw this one was coming out I knew I HAD to read it. It was everything I had hoped for and more. It's hilarious and adorable. The perfect book to make kids want to read more. My boys thought it was great! This is a must read for book loving families!
‼️OUT 5/5/26! ‼️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Our kids love these titles! They were thrilled to learn about another one coming out and enjoyed this read! This series is enjoyable, but not a favorite of mine.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
For more reviews and discussions, listen to my podcast The Honest Book Reviewers with Nate and Emma.
https://open.spotify.com/show/3H3ugH4...
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
For more reviews and discussions, listen to my podcast The Honest Book Reviewers with Nate and Emma.
https://open.spotify.com/show/3H3ugH4...
December 6, 2025
Another fun "How to..." book geared towards book lovers. This follows the fun chase of a bookworm through various types of books. My elementary school children enjoyed the book and finding the worm throughout the pages. They did roll their eyes heavily at the line "books are so totally lit". The line felt forced and a bit cringy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
We are huge fans of this series in our house and can't wait to add this one to out collection. This one was super fun and my kids love finding all the little easter eggs that are always in the illustrations. This one didn't seem to be as cohesive between the worm and the kids trying to catch him. I think i noticed it more as a parent though because my kids still absolutely adored it.
December 9, 2025
I loved reading this to my toddler at bedtime. It was such a cute story, especially since he is obsessed with books just like the bookworm. The illustrations were so cute and well done. My little one followed along the entire story and was engaged in the cute little bookworm and his adventure.
December 9, 2025
This was absolutely adorable! My 6 y/o loved searching for the worm on each page. The colors were bright and eye catching. This was a great read for kids and is amazing for us parents who are book nerds! Highly recommend!
Read
December 12, 2025Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy!
A fun little picture book of a bookworm introducing the reader to the many different types of books, letting young readers now about how there is a book out there for every mood and every interest!
December 6, 2025
Another great how to catch book. My kids were entertained. I received an arc from netgalley and the publisher in Schlage for an honest review.
December 6, 2025
This book would be good for kids who like books about books. The illustrations were good, but not memorable. This book was fine, just not a favorite.
December 7, 2025
This was such a fun read! My 4 year old loves this book and my 6 year old with a vision impairment enjoyed the images! Definitely worth getting!
December 12, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this arc. I read this book to my son and we loved it it was so cute. I absolutely love this series and this book was no different
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This series is a favorite in my classroom! This newest edition is very cute!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Cute and great illustrations but the rhymes definitely could gave been better! Thank you to Sourcebook Kids and NetGalley for the e-galley.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews