Superworm by Julia Donaldson

Ill. by Axel Scheffler. Alison Green, 2012. ISBN 9781407132044.
(Ages: 4-8) From the author illustrator team that bought you such masterpieces as StickMan and The Gruffalo comes Superworm - a rollicking tale about a worm who is flexible, helpful and loved by all. Much like Donaldson's other work, the hero of the tale finds himself in some strife, which he overcomes, returning again to the place where he is loved and adored.
This is one of the strongest selling points of the book - Donaldson's work quickly becomes familiar to children - they know there will be adversity, and sometimes the situations the main characters find themselves in can be quite precarious indeed - but that this will be overcome, and things will return to their natural state of equilibrium soon enough.
Superworm is everything a hero should be - he's super long, super strong, and keen to lend a hand. He prevents baby toad from being squashed, becomes a skipping rope for bees, saves beetle from drowning, but then . . . disaster strikes, in the form of a crow, an evil wizard, and some treasure hunting.
The illustrations are bright and vibrant, with the 'baddies' having suitably shifty eyes, and the 'goodies' being drawn with aplomb.
This is a delightful book, and would be a great addition to any collection, for ages 4-8.
Freya Lucas