Christine Andrews pairs a corn earworm’s outing with a children’s introduction to city sights, including the Freedom Tower and reflection pool.
An insect more at home on a cob of corn than a crowded sidewalk might seem like an odd tour guide, but that’s exactly the creature at the heart of Christine Andrews’ latest children’s release. In The Adventures of Stan the Corn Earworm, the title character and his companions venture into the Big Apple, where a run-in with a feline flips their trip into an unexpected sightseeing expedition.
The cat leads the corn worms to the Freedom Tower and reflection pool as the initial stop on their itinerary. That named landmark gives young readers a concrete anchor, linking the fictional journey to a real, recognizable spot in Manhattan. The group explores the city alongside another animal, which keeps the storytelling grounded in the whimsical tone the book sets from the start.
For Andrews, that opening destination carries personal weight beyond its role in the plot. She calls the Freedom Tower and reflection pool a sacred place and a meaningful part of her own trips to New York. Weaving it into the narrative allows her to share a location she treasures with a young audience, while also encouraging curiosity about the city’s historical neighborhoods.
Designed for kids just beginning to learn about those landmarks, the book blends an animal adventure with lessons in geography and heritage. Stan serves as the entry point: a tiny bug synonymous with summer cookouts, not skyscrapers. That mismatch becomes the story’s appeal for children who enjoy tales about creatures or first-time visits to unfamiliar places, with the tour itself offering a framework for discovery.
Andrews also uses the corn earworm to spotlight an everyday phenomenon. She notes that earworms are frequently found on corn on the cob and reassures readers that spotting one while shucking is no cause for alarm. That’s a message she hopes comes through clearly, especially on the cover, where the insect in the title mirrors a real-world critter families might stumble upon in their own kitchens.
Stan’s fictional journey aside, Andrews aims to shine a light on New York City’s splendor and storied past. She envisions the city as a playground for parents and children to explore side by side, learning together along the way. That family-oriented focus extends the book’s purpose beyond the animals, tying their travels to the author’s own passion for discovering and appreciating New York.
“I decided to write this book because when I was husking corn on the cob, I saw a corn earworm on almost every one, so I started thinking, what if this corn worm ended up in another city?”
— Christine Andrews
Christine Andrews is the author of The Adventures of Stan the Corn Earworm.
Her work introduces an animal lead character into a New York City backdrop for young readers.
For more information about the book and its author, please visit:
Facebook: Chris Andrews – https://www.facebook.com/chris.andrews.3726/
Instagram: @tiner45
Available now.
Get your copy here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DWR2G8QT
For review copies, interview requests, or additional information, please contact:
Christine Andrews
BrightKey PR
media@brightkeypr.com
Why it matters: This book turns an overlooked backyard pest into a gateway for childhood learning about national landmarks, showing how everyday encounters can spark curiosity about history and place. It also offers parents a tool for introducing young readers to New York City’s cultural touchstones through a lens that feels approachable rather than intimidating.
