A closer look

Eric Carle's iconic children's book almost featured the most unlovable protagonist imaginable. His original draft was called 'A Week with Willi the Worm,' featuring a voracious green earthworm eating its way through everything. His editor bluntly told him that worms are inherently gross and suggested a caterpillar instead. Carle immediately agreed, saving generations of toddlers from obsessing over dirt-dwelling invertebrates.