I first read a library copy of today’s Perfect Picture Book when it originally released in 2019. When I rediscovered it and bought a copy, I realized that I never reviewed this Perfect Picture Book after that initial read. Without further ado…
Title: Carl and the Meaning of Life
Written & Illustrated By: Deborah Freedman
Publisher/Date: Viking, Penguin Young Readers/2019
Suitable for Ages: 3 and up.
Themes/Topics: earthworms, making a difference, curiosity, environmentalism
Opening:
Carl was not a bird.
Carl was not a bear, or a beaver.
Carl was…an earthworm.
Brief Synopsis: When a field mouse asks Carl why he digs, tunnels, and turns dirt into soil, Carl stops doing so and sets off on a journey to discover the answer.
Links to Resources:
- Check out the amazing resources available at Freedman’s website;
- Learn more about earthworms at National Geographic Kids;
- Pair Carl with I am Henry Finch, as I did in a Perfect Pairing post back in 2019.
Why I Like this Book:
Like curious kids (and adults) who want to understand their roles in the world, Carl wants to know why he does what he does – digging and tunneling through dirt and turning it into soil. As Carl seeks the answer from several animals he meets, he realizes that their reasons do not explain his actions and that he must journey on to discover the answer for himself.
I love that Carl’s initial quest to learn “why” leads to other questions: What, Who, Where, and How. I also love that Carl discovers the answer himself when he encounters “the saddest ground beetle he had ever seen”. It’s clear that Carl empathizes with the poor beetle, just as, we hope, kids learn to empathize with others, too.
The simple text filled with familiar questions paired with the calm pencil and watercolor illustrations will lull children into learning without being aware that they’re doing so. And if it’s not enough that they learn to ask questions, to discover their own answers, and to empathize with others, they also will learn about the important role earthworms, and other small beings like themselves, play in our world and that we’re all connected.
A Note about Craft:
Rules widely followed by children’s writers caution us to avoid using “to be” in its many forms, to use strong verbs, especially in that all-important opening sentence, and to show, not tell. But you’ll notice from the opening lines above that Freedman not only used “was”, she paired it with a negative, “not”, and she spread these three sentences over three spreads. And it works! It helps build tension and helps readers realize how small, and seemingly insignificant, Carl is, thereby setting us up to be surprised, and happy, when we learn the important role Carl and his species play in our world.
This Perfect Picture Book entry is being added to Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book list. Check out the other great picture books featured there!
Wander, Ponder, Write 