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Superworm (book)

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Superworm
AuthorJulia Donaldson
IllustratorAxel Scheffler
Cover artistAxel Scheffler
LanguageEnglish
GenreChildren's literature
Set inUnited Kingdom
PublisherAlison Green Books
Publication date6 September 2012
Publication placeUnited Kingdom
Media typePrint (Hardback, paperback)
Pages30
Awards
  • Red House Award
  • Buxtehuder Kälbchen Picture Book Prize
ISBN978-1-4071-3204-4
OCLC794815836
Followed byThe Paper Dolls 
Websitewww.juliadonaldson.co.uk

Superworm is a children's book written by British writer Julia Donaldson, illustrated by German illustrator Axel Scheffler, and published by Alison Green Books.[1][2] The story follows a worm who acts as a superhero for insects and animals and gets captured by a lizard and a crow and is later saved by those he helped.[3][4][5]

It was first published in 2012 in the United Kingdom by Alison Green Books. The book was adapted into a film in 2021, which starred actors Olivia Colman and Matt Smith. Superworm won two major awards, the Red House Award (2014) and the Buxtehuder Kälbchen Picture Book Prize (2013). The Paper Dolls was published after Superworm in October 2012.[6]

Authors

[edit]

Julia Donaldson is a British writer and playwright from Hampstead, London, England, born on 16 September with her younger sister.[7] Before writing Superworm, she wrote The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom, Zog, and The Gruffalo's Child.[8] She attended the University of Bristol, studying drama and French; she graduated with a 2:1 honours degree. She was married to Malcolm Donaldson until his death in 2024.[9]

Axel Scheffler is a German illustrator and animator born in Hamburg, West Germany. He is known for working alongside Donaldson in many works, including Superworm.[10] Scheffler attended Bath Academy of Art, studying the history of art, he later dropped out.

Plot

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A super-long, super-strong worm referred to as "Superworm" acts as a superhero, helping local insects and animals. He rescues a toad from a road and helps beetles by acting as a skipping rope. He entertains bees who are bored by playing new games with them. A "Wicked Wizard Lizard" wants to take advantage of Superworm's gifts and orders a crow, the lizard's grim black bird servant, to capture him.

The crow flies down and captures Superworm, and he is brought back to the lizard, who then makes him dig for treasure to increase her wealth. Other animals, including snails, bees, spiders, and toads, work together to save Superworm. The snails eat a magic flower, and the spiders form a web in which the lizard gets caught in. The bees fly in, pick up the captured lizard, and drop her into a garbage dump. They then regroup and save Superworm. Once back home, they celebrate the victory and their friendship.

Issues

[edit]

In December of 2021 Donaldson revealed that during the writing of the book, a line was cut after an awkward conversation with her publisher, Alison Green, about the line that read, “Superworm is long and pink, Superworm can grow and shrink.”, the line was replaced with "Superworm is super-long, Superworm is super-strong.”[11][12]

Legacy and adaptations

[edit]
German writer Salah Naoura reading Superworm at the Erlanger Poetenfest in 2011

The Guardian said that the illustrations for Superworm were "marvellous", and they also showed love for Donaldson's writing style.[3] In 2021 Superworm received its own 25-minute short film created and produced by Magic Light Pictures based on the book, which was distributed by the BBC and aired on BBC One on 25 December 2021.[13][14] It stars actors Olivia Colman as the narrator and Matt Smith as Superworm.[15][16] The film was directed by Jac Hamman and Sarah Scrimgeour.[17]

In 2021 Donaldson and Scheffler released a new adaptation called Let's Find Superworm: A Lift-the-Flap Book.[18] In December 2021, the Radio Times released a Superworm Christmas-themed puzzle and activity book in celebration of Christmas.[19] In 2022 a Superworm-themed trail was launched at the Whinlatter Forest Park.[20][21][22] In December 2023, it was revealed that Superworm was the most borrowed book from libraries in Hertfordshire.[23] In January 2026, Donalson and Scheffler released Superworm: Slide and Spin.[24] In July 2026, actor Tom Holland read Superworm on CBeebies Bedtime Stories; he also made references to superheroes while reading through the book about a superhero.[25][26]

Awards

[edit]
Year Ceremony Award Outcome Ref
2014 Red House Children's Book Award Red House Award Won [27]
2013 City Library of Buxtehude Buxtehuder Kälbchen Picture Book Prize Won [28]

Publication history

[edit]

Superworm (2012), Alison Green Books[29]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Smith, Sarah Harrison (May 9, 2014). "Bookshelf: Garden Friends and Foes". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Putting Books to Work: 'Superworm'". Literacy Worldwide. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  3. 1 2 "Superworm by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler - review". The Guardian. October 11, 2012. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Children's Books: 'Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy' | 'Superworm' | 'Founding Mothers'". Wall Street Journal. January 24, 2014. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  5. ↑ Donaldson, Julia (2016). Superworm. Alison Green Books. ISBN 978-1-4071-6819-7.
  6. ↑ Donaldson, Julia (2016). The Paper Dolls. Pan Macmillan. ISBN 978-1-5098-0546-4.
  7. ↑ "Julia Donaldson: what is the Gruffalo author's net worth? Get the details". HELLO!. December 23, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  8. ↑ "The Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson on busking and Judi Dench". The Independent. October 3, 2015. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  9. ↑ "The Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson's doctor husband Malcolm dies". BBC News. September 30, 2024. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  10. ↑ Freeman, Hadley (September 3, 2022). "'At first she didn't like my drawings': Axel Scheffler and Julia Donaldson on three decades of collaboration". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  11. ↑ Khomami, Nadia (December 6, 2021). "Julia Donaldson reveals tussle over opening couplet of Superworm". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  12. ↑ Belam, Martin (December 9, 2021). "Odd books, Chess hooks and a very naughty worm – take the Thursday quiz". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved August 30, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Superworm: Meet the voice cast and creators". BBC. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Magic Light Pictures' 'Superworm' Coming to BBC Christmas 2021". Animation World Network. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  15. ↑ narrator, David Hollingsworth 'Superworm' on features Olivia Colman as the; Crow, Rob Brydon as (December 7, 2021). "'Superworm': release date, voice cast, plot, and everything we know". What to Watch. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Superworm proves the best presents come in small packages – review". The Independent. December 25, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Superworm: Meet the voice cast and creators". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Let's find superworm : a lift-the-flap book | WorldCat.org". WorldCat. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  19. ↑ Wilson, Francesca. "Superworm Puzzle & Activity Book offer*! | Radio Times". Radio Times. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Superworm trail launches at Whinlatter Forest - The Keswick Reminder". February 9, 2022. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Discover more about nature with new Superworm activity trail". Salisbury Journal. January 16, 2022. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Story trail returns to Jersey to inspire reading outdoors". BBC. September 27, 2025. Retrieved August 30, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Superworm is most borrowed book from Hertfordshire libraries". Bishop's Stortford Independent. December 27, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Superworm : slide and spin | WorldCat.org". WorldCat. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  25. ↑ "Spider-Man actor Tom Holland to read CBeebies Bedtime Story". BBC Newsround. July 23, 2026. Retrieved August 30, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Tom Holland to read 'Superworm' on 'CBeebies Bedtime Story' Friday - UPI.com". UPI. Retrieved August 30, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Superworm by Julia Donaldson up for Red House Award". BBC Newsround. October 21, 2013. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  28. ↑ wp-jd-admin (November 11, 1998). "Superworm". Julia Donaldson. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Superworm | WorldCat.org". WorldCat. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
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