Carl and the Meaning of Life

February 11, 2019
Freedman introduces Carl by telling readers what he is not: “Carl was not a bird“ (nor a bear, nor a beaver). Carl is an earthworm, and he lives underneath the other forest animals. A cross-section of soil shows Carl next to a curling line of type describing his daily activities: “burrowing, tunneling, digesting dead leaves... turning hard dirt into fluffy soil.” When a field mouse asks him why he does what he does, Carl’s search for answers keeps him away from his work, and the earth dries up around him. “I can’t find any grubs!” cries a ground beetle. With that, Carl understands his purpose. Freedman’s spreads shows how tiny organisms help to keep the natural world in balance in this inventive worm’s-eye view of the web of life. Ages 3–5.

Voicing an earthworm is no easy task! Narrator Adam Grupper deserves applause for the majestic, mysterious, and wonder-filled voice he provides Carl as he seeks his purpose in life. It is the field mouse who inspires his quest by asking Carl what he does and causing him to leave his munching and casting and making the soil soft and fluffy. Grupper's Carl is ever purposeful, taking an interest in each creature he meets. From rabbit to ground beetle, he questions them all, and each queried animal is given a distinctive voice. Carl doesn't seem to mind how many animals he needs to talk with and only lets out a sigh as his search stretches over time. Little does he know that his travels will bring him full circle. An author's note completes the production. A.R. � AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine