I found a Perfect Picture Book that will have you and the littles laughing and thinking and discussing together.
Title: I Will Eat You in the End
Written By: David Duff
Illustrated By: Marianna Coppo
Publisher/Date: Neal Porter Books/2026
Suitable for Ages: 4-8
Themes/Topics: cycle of life, dinosaurs, earthworms, death, life, dark humor, friendship
Opening:
It’s a good day to be alive, isn’t it, Frank?
The best.
SPLAT!
Brief Synopsis: When a dinosaur steps on an earthworm, Frank, another worm, and the dinosaur discuss the cycle of life.
Links to Resources:
· Check out this free hands-on, worm-themed project;
· Learn more about earthworms;
· Try these free dinosaur-themed activities from the California Academy of Sciences.
Why I Like this Book:
With plenty of humor and heart, Frank, an earthworm, discusses the circle of life with a friendly dinosaur in this mostly dialogue, graphic-novel style, higher page-count picture book.
As the story begins, Frank’s friend, another earthworm, remarks that it’s “a good day to be alive.” It is, until it isn’t. A large brontosaurus steps on Frank’s friend, ending his life. Rather than remaining angry or sad, Frank takes it in stride: everything dies, and Frank will eat him later. After all, Frank’s an earthworm, and they eat everything that dies, including, when he dies, the brontosaurus.
I love Frank’s understated humor and the many facts bundled into this unlikely friendship story. In response to the brontosaurus’ assertion that he could eat Frank, Frank reminds him that “you’re a vegetarian.” In response to the brontosaurus’ remark that he’ll probably outlive Frank, Frank notes that he has a bad feeling in his bones. Except earthworms have no bones. Cue the laughter!
As the story progresses, Duff reveals the reason for Frank’s bad feeling for his friend and the brontosaurus’s question as that event nears: “…after you eat me, can you turn me into something nice?”
I won’t spoil the ending, but after the meteor hits and wipes out the dinosaurs, including the brontosaurus, two new worms appear. I’m sure you can guess what they do and maybe even the result.
Coppo’s pastel-colored gouache artwork brings a sweet touch to this story and helps kids empathize with the main characters.
If you’re looking for a way to spur discussion about the circle of life, the importance of earthworms, and/or the disappearance of dinosaurs, or if you just want to read a humorous account of any of those, I heartily recommend I Will Eat You in the End.
A Note about Craft:
It’s not easy to make information about death, eating other creatures, and extinction captivating to young kids and understandable. But adding two endearing creatures plus humor results in a book that’s sure to please adults and their littles while spurring many conversations about these topics.
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!
