The Worm and the Bird

Winner of Communication Arts 2018 Illustration Annual

Digging through the ground day in and day out, Worm dreams of a better life. Despite having endless paths of dirt to plough, other burrowing creatures to befriend, and underground treasures to discover, Worm wants more—more space to be alone. Too busy to see the world around it, pushing everything aside, Worm learns a hard lesson in appreciating what you have and where you are.

This beautifully illustrated tale by award-winning author and illustrator Coralie Bickford-Smith explores themes of hope, curiosity, and the circle of life. Taking inspiration from Seneca’s essay “On the Shortness of Life,” which reads “But life is very short and anxious for those who forget the past, neglect the present and fear the future,” and drawing from the simple wisdom of the natural world, Bickford-Smith reminds readers about the importance of slowing down and engaging in the life around us.

Printed in Italy, with a foil-stamped cloth cover, sewn binding, metallic inks, and high-quality paper, Bickford-Smith’s new illustrated book is for readers of all ages of fables and fairy tales, from gardeners to bird-watchers to design lovers, and for those seeking mindfulness. —and it will be a great companion volume to her first book, The Fox and the Star, named Waterstones Book of the Year in 2015.

About the Author

Coralie Bickford-Smith is a designer at Penguin Books. Her first book, The Fox and the Star, was named Waterstones Book of the Year and was one of Time Out’s 100 Best Children’s Books of All Time. Her design work has been featured in numerous publications, including The New York Times and The Guardian. Her cover design has been recognized by the American Institute of Graphic Arts in the United States and Design and Art Direction in the UK.