Carl and the Meaning of Life

Written by Deborah Freedman

An earthworm's quest to find his purpose changes everything.

4.2 Goodreads · 1,482 ratings

40 pages· 439 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud· 510L

$17.99Save 7%

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Bookroo's summary

Carl, an earthworm, is content with his life until a mouse's question sends him on a journey. As he meets forest creatures who know their purpose, Carl wonders about his own. When the world shifts, Carl discovers that even the smallest beings have a significant impact just by being themselves. What will Carl learn about his place in the world?

From the publisher

From the often Caldecott-buzzed Deborah Freedman, a sweet and funny story about finding your place in the world.

Carl is an earthworm. He spends his days happily tunneling in the soil until a field mouse asks him a simple question that stops him short: “Why?” Carl’s quest takes him on an adventure to meet all the animals of the forest, each of whom seems to know exactly what they were put on this earth to do, unlike the curious Carl. But it’s not until the world around him has changed that Carl begins to realize everyone, no matter how small, makes a big difference just by being themselves.

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