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Have you ever had a song stuck in your head that you just can't shake?

Shimmy shimmy no sashay sings little worm as he wriggles along. He's got a song stuck in his head – he's got an ear worm! But where has it come from? It's not Owl's song. And it's not Chipmunk's song either. Will Little Worm ever discover where the catchy tune in his head came from?

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2021

162 people want to read

About the author

Jo Knowles

11 books767 followers
Hi! I'm the author of several books for kids and teens. including Ear Worm!,Meant To Be, and See You at Harry's. I'm available for school, library and book club visits either in person or via Zoom. For more info, please visit www.joknowles.com Thanks! :-)

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5 stars
134 (32%)
4 stars
174 (41%)
3 stars
96 (23%)
2 stars
13 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
Profile Image for Melissa.
125 reviews18 followers
October 8, 2021
This is one of the most adorable books I have seen in a long time! I read it out loud even though I was by myself and I can’t wait to share it with some of my elementary Librarian friends. This is a fun book with amazing illustrations that will make your listeners want to get up and start singing and dancing around the room. Thank you to the author and publisher for sending me advance copy to read and review!
Profile Image for Michelle.
421 reviews16 followers
March 1, 2022
This is one of my favorite picture books in a long time. My students absolutely LOVE it and we danced around the whole library.
Profile Image for Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance.
6,469 reviews336 followers
October 20, 2022
“Shimmy shimmy, no-sashay!”

Little Worm is walking along with a song stuck in his head. Who put that song in his head?

It's not Owl. His song goes, "Wave, wave, talking to the wing!"

It's not Chipmunk. His song goes, "Chee, chee, chitter-ee!"

It's not Bunny. Her song goes, "Hip, hop, thump-jump!"

It's not Fox. Her song goes, "Trot to me! Rah-rah, trot to me!"

And soon everyone was dancing and singing.

I bet kids will be dancing and singing, too. And making up their own ear worms. A delight.

Profile Image for Alex  Baugh.
1,955 reviews128 followers
February 11, 2022
It's happened to us all - suddenly a bit of song is running through your head and you don't know where it came from or why. And that is just what happens to Little Worm one summer day as he goes off to play. Suddenly there is a song in his head. When he runs into Owl, who wants to know what he's singing, he learns he has an ear worm and that Owl has one, too. But Little Worm wants to find out where his ear worm came from, so the two go off together. Pretty soon, they run into Chipmunk, Bunny, and Fox and discover they also have songs running through their heads. It doesn't take long for everyone to start having fun, dancing and singing to their individual songs and Little Worm forgets all about finding out where his ear worm came from. But what a surprise when he gets home and Papa Worm puts him to bed that night. This is such a delightful bedtime book for young kids, and even if they don't know what an ear worm is, they will by the end of the story. I loved how each of the animal friends has their own tune, that repeats throughout the book, and a few reading will have your kids singing along. The digitally created illustrations are as delightful as the text. I read this several times to my young readers, and after we finished, we made Little Worm, Owl, Chipmunk, Bunny, and Fox finger puppets and so can you. You can download the ready to print sheet from Jo Knowles' website HERE
And you can download a Teacher's Guide, which I found helpful, from Candlewick Press HERE
Profile Image for Kailey (Luminous Libro).
3,590 reviews548 followers
March 29, 2022
Little worm has a song stuck in his head, but he can't remember where he heard it. He sings, "Shimmy shimmy, no-sashay." He asks the owl if he knows that song, but the owl has his own earworm song. Little Worm asks the squirrel, the rabbit, and the fox, but they all have their own beat, their own rhythm, and their own earworm songs. How will Little Worm ever find the origin of his earworm?

As a musician, I really appreciated the rhythm of the writing. It's contagious! You will be tapping your toe as you read about all the animals hopping along with their songs. This is such a delight to read out loud!

I loved the cute illustrations! The designs for all the animals are so adorable, and I love the clean layout for each page. The animals dance with their songs, and their movements are full of energy and fun. It made me laugh to see how they prance and cavort around! It brings so much humor to the story.

This is definitely going on my shelf of favorite children's books to read with my little nieces over and over again!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
Profile Image for Gary Anderson.
Author 0 books102 followers
Read
January 13, 2022
I don’t know about you, but I frequently wake up with an ear worm, a song stuck in my head that hums around as I start the day and sticks with me until something else comes along to dislodge it. Today it was The Cowsills’ “The Rain, the Park, and Other Things”--”I love the flower girl. Oh, I don’t know just why. She simply caught my eye.” The good news is these ear worms are always songs I like.

In Ear Worm! (Candlewick Press, 2022), Little Worm has a similar situation. Yes, the worm has an ear worm, a pleasant little ditty playing in his mind, and he wants to know where it came from or who gave it to him. As he asks his friends about it, they also have their own mental jukeboxes playing, and they all share their songs, along with dance moves inspired by the music.

Ear Worm! is the first picture book from young-adult and middle-grade author Jo Knowles, and it’s a treat for the eyes, ears, and imaginations of picture book audiences. Those who can read it on their own will automatically generate tunes to the words and syllables presented as each animal’s ear worm. If Ear Worm! is read aloud, the heightened use of musical sound will add an extra dimension to the listening experience. The poetic texts of the song snippets have just enough rhythm, syncopation, and repetition to help readers imagine and create their own music.

Galia Bernstein’s delightful illustrations featuring Little Worm, Owl, Chipmunk, Fox, and Bunny show the animals with over-sized, expressive eyes, dance movements appropriate for each, and a lot of smiles. (It’s hard to draw smiling animals while maintaining the characteristics of their non-human mouths!) I can easily imagine children imitating the song-and-dance moves they see on the pages.

Some subtle, positive messages are embedded in the story too. Little Worm realizes that having fun can lighten the load of too much heavy thinking, and he finds comfort both at home and out in the world with friends.

Ear Worm! will become the favorite picture book of many children who will want to read (and hear) it over and over. Although well known for her gifted ability to connect with teen and tween readers, Ear Worm! shows that Jo Knowles is also attuned to even younger readers, and the rest of us who are prone to musical ear worms.
Profile Image for Heidi.
2,898 reviews67 followers
January 18, 2022
Anyone who has ever had a song stuck in their head will be able to appreciate the situation in which Little Worm finds himself. He keeps singing, "Shimmy shimmy, no-sashay" over and over, but he has no idea how the song got stuck in his head. Owl kindly explains that he has an ear worm. But he further explains he did not give Little Worm his song, before singing and dancing to his own song. Owl accompanies Little Worm as he continues on his way. The same basic conversation happens with Chipmunk, Bunny, and Fox. While the other animals songs and dances are fun, Little Worm gets frustrated with not getting an answer to his question. Finally, he is having so much fun singing and dancing with the other animals that he forgets his question altogether. It isn't until later at home that he finds an answer to his question. This book is fully of silliness and fun and young listeners may very well want to come up with their own song and dance. Bernstein's cute illustrations match the fun as readers get to see the animals be-bop across the pages. A fun time is likely to be had by all while reading this delightful offering.
Profile Image for Vera Godley.
2,002 reviews56 followers
March 28, 2022
Who hasn't had a song wiggle in their mind from time to time often invoking memories or it might be an unrecognizable tune but one that has "staying power." In Ear Worm! a delightful menagerie of forest critters leap and cavort to the tune that they alone can hear.

The illustrations are delightful and full of charm. The individual critter's tune is given in text format and you can compose your own music for it. I can envision a classroom of youngsters each pretending to be one of the critters and eventually a whole chorus ensues.

A cute book.

I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.
Profile Image for Mary McFarlane.
662 reviews6 followers
January 24, 2023
I read this with my niece and nephew so I’ll give their thoughts also.

3 year old niece - “I like the fox”

5 year old nephew - “that’s not how those animals sound!!”

Me - super cute, great book for little kids, get ready to shoulder dance and the pictures were great! On a personal note will need to work on my animal voices
Profile Image for Tonja Drecker.
Author 3 books236 followers
January 10, 2022
Ear worms carry more than just a little contagious fun...and this little worm squiggles to his in the cutest way.

Little Worm can't stop singing and dancing to a song. When the owl tells him that he has an ear worm (and what that means), Little Worm is determined to figure out, who planted it in his head. Each friend he meets has an ear worm of their own, but they are ready to help him find the source of his.

The illustrations and words flow together to create music, which is so visual, you can feel it. The Little Worm's beginning 'shimmy, shimmy, non-sashay' continues with repetition and mixes in with entertaining dance moves...plus, the worm is super cute. Each animal joins along with their own musical words and dance style, which creates a contagious fun. It's hard not to smile as the line of animals head on their way.

The text alternates between the songs, and more, with story. The songs are written in large and creative font and are printed cozied close to the particular animal, who sings it. The switch back-and-forth makes this great as a read-aloud, since the reader can get creative. Listeners will definitely want to join in and, with time, be able to speak the very short songs themselves.

This is a read, which not only makes it clear what an ear worm is, but radiates the joy for music and dance. It's silly and will have a reader wanting to join in with their own 'ear worm'. But it also ends with a feeling of love and warmth, which gives it a wholesome touch. Oh, and let's not forget that this book shows how fun it can be to simply share adventures with friends.
I received an ARC and found myself wanting to dance along, too.
Profile Image for Megan.
164 reviews11 followers
January 11, 2022
Jo Knowles and Galia Bernstein are a wonderful talented team!! This is a phenomenally hilarious picture book!! My toddler loves it so much, he was singing to himself while trying to fall asleep. The rhythm and rhyme are amazing and invite the kids to sing along. The illustrations are gorgeous and cuddly for the hero worm and the animals he meets. Truly appreciate the clever words and beautiful drawings! I will share with my librarian friends and their schools!!
Thanks to Candlewick Press for this amazing book to review!!
Profile Image for Molly Cluff (Library!).
2,492 reviews50 followers
February 8, 2022
YES for fun storytime fare! This is a cute cumulative story about a little worm with a song stuck in his head. Other animals keep adding to his song. I can definitely see kiddos acting out the dance moves during storytime. The illustrations of the forest critters are really cute, too (I love the physicality of their dance moves!) and the ending is cute cute cute.
Profile Image for Villain E.
4,025 reviews19 followers
February 22, 2022
(I'm so glad this wasn't about a worm in an ear.)

A bunch of animals have different songs stuck in their heads. I like the way the animals are drawn, but there are no backgrounds on most of the pages.
Profile Image for Kellee Moye.
2,934 reviews340 followers
May 28, 2022
When I saw this at the library, I was so excited! I made Trent stop right there and sit on the floor to read it, and we are both so smitten with the book. EVERYONE will connect with this book and also will get the Ear Worm's ear worm right in your head!
Profile Image for Katie Fitzgerald.
Author 30 books255 followers
March 26, 2022
Little Worm has a song stuck in his head, but he doesn't know where it came from. He asks some of his friends, but they all have their own ear worms to share.

The pictures in this book are so much fun. The animals dance in ways that perfectly complement their natural postures and movements, and they have such endearing faces. Each page really just shows the animals against a white background, but that provides more than enough action to keep readers engaged.

This book absolutely must be read aloud, and if possible, the audience needs to join in on each animal's refrain. Part of me wishes there were tunes provided for the animals' songs, but I don't think you need to invent your own. Just chanting them is so satisfying and will definitely give preschoolers the giggles. I actually think the toddlers at my story times will like them too because they're so rhythmic and repetitive. This book fits a bunch of themes: animals, quests, music, dance, etc. It reminds me a bit of The More the Merrier by David Martin. I'm undecided about whether the books are too similar to pair together.

I almost didn't request the book because the publisher recommended it for media-savvy kids, and we don't do much media. I'm glad I took the chance anyway because you don't really need to be up on current music or any specific type of music to enjoy this book. It's just a fun exploration of movement and word play that I can't wait to share with my kids and their friends.

I received a finished copy of Ear Worm! from Candlewick Press in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Jennie.
1,340 reviews
March 14, 2022
This book is a delight - a joyful and humorous story targetting a preschool and early childhood audience. Little worm has a song playing in his head that he can't get rid of - it is so catchy it makes him want to dance. Visiting various creatures in the woods he discovers they all have 'ear worms' and all express there personal songs in dance. Each song has it own repetitive and expressive rhythm - (Little Worms is "Shimmy shimmy, no-sashay!") presented in large bold illustrated text and each creature displays a variety of dance floor moves.

The ear worm 'songs' beg to be read aloud and then chorused by young listeners and the dance moves beg to be replicated. Accompanying this engaging, light-hearted and funny story are gorgeous illustrations that capture unique qualities of different animals - owl, rabbit, fox and chipmunk - with lively and expressive faces and body forms that are full of movement as they dance to their ear worms.

Absolutely 10/10 - so good to have a picture books without a deep and meaningful message that celebrates the joy of life and will fully engage young children in the pleasures of reading and sharing a good story.
Profile Image for Linda .
4,201 reviews52 followers
January 24, 2022
Thanks to Candlewick Press for this copy!

Jo Knowles, so loved for her numerous chapter books like See You At Harry's, an all-time favorite of mine, and Where the Heart Is, now has a picture book, out tomorrow! Little Worm is on his way outside when he discovers he has an earworm and wonders who put it there! As he sings "Shimmy, shimmy, no-sachay..." he meets various animals, first Owl. He asks if Owl put the earworm in but Owl replies, "No." And he sings his own song. Moving on, with Owl, Little Worm meets Chipmunk, Bunny, and Fox, all of whom have unique earworms to which they sing and dance, all together! Galia Bernstein's illustrations wonderfully show the animals prancing along with glee and song, so happily that Little Worm forgets he's looking for who gave him that earworm! He does find out but I'll leave that for readers to smile when they discover the answer at the end. It's a cute story that will make a great one for bedtime for the little ones.
Profile Image for Tara Strosnider.
151 reviews49 followers
February 16, 2022
A musical treat for the ear and eye, this antic tale of a worm on a mission doubles as a cozy bedtime book.

One summer day, as Little Worm heads out to play, he discovers he has a song stuck in his head. “What’s that you’re singing?” Owl asks, but Little Worm can’t say. He wriggles past, determined to learn who filled his head with “Shimmy shimmy, no-sashay.” Owl flaps along with a song of his own, and before long Chipmunk, Bunny, and Fox fall in line, each contributing an ear worm to the joyful cacophony. Hip, vintage-inspired illustrations and whimsical typesetting meet movement, sound play, and comic, cumulative delights in a picture book that will charm media-savvy children and their parents alike.
Profile Image for Kelsey.
2,354 reviews66 followers
March 22, 2022
Age: Preschool-1st grade

Little worm is looking for the culprit that put an ear worm in their head only to discover that all the other animals have their own catchy tunes on their minds. In the end, it turns out that daddy worm has quite the flair for making up his own songs for moving Little Worm around throughout their day.

The cumulative style, the white backgrounds, the catchy tunes (I found that "Skip to My Lou" works best), the tantalizing mystery: all absolutely perfect for a library storytime or classroom read aloud.
210 reviews3 followers
March 29, 2022
Everyone gets an “ear worm” from time to time! What’s an ear worm you ask? It is when a song is stuck in your head! Only, this worm has an ear worm and can’t figure out how it got there! As it turns out, other animals also have ear worms, and a gradual cacophony of melodies joins this worm’s adventure.

An endearing tale that kids will absolutely love to sing along too! It also makes the frustration of having an “ear worm” more bearable! Cute illustrations are done digitally and provide a nice textual array of watercolor, colored pencil, marker, and pen.
Profile Image for Christie Kaaland.
1,385 reviews12 followers
February 13, 2022
That just aren't enough books like this that engage very young children in dancing and wiggling along with the story. In the familiar vein of the classic Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anyone (Williams), this cumulative story finds a worm with a song stuck in his head, an ear worm says Owl and other animals he meets, and he wants to find out who put there. Knowles invites readers to dancing along as the go in search of the ear worm planter.
Profile Image for Andrew.
1,974 reviews127 followers
November 4, 2021
Little Worm has a rhythm stuck in his head-- an ear worm, one might call it. Determined to find out who put it there, Little Worm asks his forest friends about the sashaying melody, but each critter has their own personal ear worm, and the dance moves to go with them! Ear Worm! is adorable, catchy, and bound to remind readers of songs they can't get out of their heads.
Profile Image for Beth.
3,078 reviews228 followers
January 29, 2022
A young worm has a song stuck in his head, which he learns is called an earworm. As he walks along, he meets some friends who are also experiencing their own earworms.

This would be a fun book to read to students to have them discuss what earworms they have experienced and also how they get earworms out of their head.
Profile Image for Rebecca Caufman.
2,494 reviews6 followers
March 19, 2022
This begins with a worm singing a song and then a search to find out who put the song in his head. The worm meets lots of animals on the search who have different songs stuck in their heads. It ends with nap-time and the discovery of who put the song in the worm's head. Would be best with young readers.
Profile Image for Jenny.
3,380 reviews39 followers
August 8, 2023
Little Worm has a song stuck in his head. Owl explains that it is an ear worm. Little Worm asks Owl if he put it there. Owl says no and shares his own ear worm. Then they both go looking for who put their ear worms in their ears. They meet other animals, each with their own unique ear worms. Who put the ear worm in Little Worm's ear?
Profile Image for Liz.
2,231 reviews26 followers
January 30, 2024
It is such a missed opportunity that this book wasn't published in audiobook format as well. It's meant to be put to song, and it's not. Little Worm has a song stuck in his head, but he can't remember where he got it from. He goes around asking other animals who have their own ear worms. "Shimmy shimmy, no-sashay!" will be stuck in your head for a bit.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews

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