Written by J.J. Austrian, and illustrated by Mike Curato
I have never read this book before.
Ratings: Amazon: 4.7 out of 5 stars. Goodreads: 4.04 out of 5 stars.
On Amazon, this book is Editors’ pick for Best Books Ages 3-5, on Goodreads it is a nominee for Best Picture Books 2016.
Summary: Worm Loves Worm is about how two worms want to get married because they are in love.
In this story, the Worms’ friends point out that one worm needs to be the bride and one needs to be the groom. Both worms wanted to be the bride and groom. So, this book caught the attention of people who object to books that cover LGBTQ subjects. In Arkansas, “the Saline County Republican Women are up in arms about “explicit and woke books” in the children’s area of the county’s library. They argue that these books have “no plot,” “indoctrinate children” and “normalize deviant behavior.” Worm Loves Worm was one of the books on that list. It came after the state passed Senate Bill 81, now Act 372, which made “it a crime for librarians to knowingly lend books to kids that have obscene content. It also tasks local elected officials to decide what is or isn’t appropriate for library shelves.”
My take: Okay so the gender fluidity of Worm Loves Worm isn’t imaginary, it’s a scientific fact that worms are hermaphrodites, meaning that they have both male and female reproductive cells. But no one is bothered that animals are talking to each other or that the Cricket is wearing glasses, a vest, and carrying a book? There’s also a mustache-wearing beetle with a tie and dress shirt. But the objectors draw the line when it comes to science…. You can’t see me but I’m throwing up my hands here.
Here are a few links about this book and the challenges or bans.
Banned Books 2020 – Worm Loves Worm – Marshall Libraries
Here Are 9 Picture Books Being Challenged in America – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Podcast: On Being Among the Banned with Author J. J. Austrian – The Illusion of More
The Banned Book Reviewer 
Leave a comment