[1] Erik Pinksterblom is a little nine-year-old boy who lies in bed at night, worried about a test about insects he has to perform at school tomorrow.

Suddenly the paintings in his bedroom come alive, including one depicting a meadow full of insects.

Erik surprises everybody by reciting interesting facts about insects he read in a natural history book.

Erik then meets a rain worm who thinks he is superior to all the others, because he has no need for things like limbs and eyes.

At his school test he writes about the experiences he had during his time with the insects and fails as a result – he's even forced to stay in detention.

[1] In 1994, the book was translated into English as Eric in the Land of the Insects by Regina Louise Kornblith.

[5] A theater group called "De Jonge Honden" also adapted the story into the play "Insect" (2008).

[6] In 2004 a film adaptation, Erik of het klein insectenboek, was made by director Gidi van Liempd.