The Wild West of Waste
Created by Let’s Go Compost founder Lauren Click, all proceeds from The Wild West of Waste benefit our nonprofit and go straight back into compost education, helping more communities learn through hands-on soil science.
About Our Book
In the dusty town of Compost Creek, one little worm is ready to take on a big problem: food waste. Meet Wiletta the Worm, a lasso-swinging, ten-gallon-hat-wearing hero who believes even the smallest creatures can make a mighty difference. Along with her trusty sidekick, Bucky the Beetle, Wiletta discovers the power of vermicomposting, turning scraps into rich, dark soil that helps new life grow.
Through playful rhymes and bold Wild West imagery, The Wild West of Waste introduces children to the importance of reducing waste, working together, and caring for the environment. Young readers will cheer as Wiletta ropes in her friends to transform a dusty town into a thriving, green community, showing that teamwork, creativity, and responsibility can make the world a better place.
Perfect for classrooms, libraries, and families, this engaging picture book makes complex topics like composting and sustainability fun, memorable, and accessible for children. Whether read aloud at story time or explored independently by early readers, Wiletta's adventure encourages kids to think differently about the food they throw away and inspires them to take action in their own homes, schools, and communities.
Colorful, witty, and packed with heart, The Wild West of Waste proves that sometimes the tiniest creatures leave the biggest impact.
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Meet the Author
Lauren Click is the founder of Let’s Go Compost and the creator of The Wild West of Waste. She leads a national nonprofit that brings hands-on composting education to schools across the country. Her work focuses on giving students simple, practical tools that build lifelong habits and strengthen local communities.
She started worm composting in a small Phoenix apartment during lockdown, which sparked a program that now serves schools in dozens of states. Lauren writes with the same approach she brings to her nonprofit work: clear teaching, real-world examples, and a belief that small daily actions can create measurable change. When she’s off the clock, she’s usually working on her garden, visiting nearby nature preserves, or working on a DIY project.
Lauren’s work in composting education has been awarded by the United Nations, World Food Forum, Food and Agriculture Organization, U.S. Composting Council, and beyond.
Meet the Illustrator
Nikki Swiderski is the artist behind The Wild West of Waste. She’s based in Jacksonville, Florida, where she works full time as an artist creating designs for home and apparel. She graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design and continues to take on creative projects after hours, with a particular focus on children’s books.
Her work blends nature, vintage influences, and a hand-painted feel. She builds each illustration with acrylic gouache, paint markers, and colored pencil, starting by hand so she can step away from a screen and stay connected to the artwork.
On her days off, she’s usually reading, enjoying a spring picnic, or exploring antique shops. Her two cats keep her company while she paints. Nikki’s family roots trace back to Poland, and growing up in a Polish community in New Jersey shaped both her style and her appreciation for folk art. That influence shows up throughout her illustrations, adding depth and character to every piece she creates.
Hear From Our Readers
"I received this book as a gift for my two year old grandson. I love the fact that it this early age, he can learn about the importance of repurposing items to compost. It was well written, and he loved Bucky the beetle and Wiletta the worm’s adventure. The illustrations are adorable, and he could totally relate to what he saw on the book. I would highly recommend this book for any child!"
Tina A., Amazon Customer Review
Made With Love
All titles of The Wild West of Waste are printed on demand in the United States at IngramSpark to minimize overproduction, conserve natural resources, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Paper is sourced from Tennessee and Pennsylvania mills that adhere to responsible forestry standards prohibiting endangered or high-conservation value inputs. All proceeds from The Wild West of Waste directly fund our nonprofit work in composting and environmental education.
Support Classroom Composting Education
Sponsor an educator with a composting kit and expand soil science education where it makes the biggest impact. Each kit includes our NGSS-aligned curriculum, virtual training, a complete worm farm, live Red Wigglers, and a copy of The Wild West of Waste. Educators use these tools to teach real soil science, support hands-on learning, and help kids reduce food waste in their schools.
A Soil Science Resource for Classrooms and Community Groups
The Wild West of Waste fits seamlessly into our youth programming for classrooms, libraries, and community groups. Schools use the book as an easy entry point into our five-lesson composting curriculum. Girl Scout troops pair it with our soil activity sheets to earn sustainability badges. Libraries and environmental clubs use it during STEAM story time to introduce kids to food waste reduction and vermicomposting. Wherever it’s used, the book helps young readers understand how small actions add up and gives educators a simple way to launch hands-on composting.
Fuel Hands-On Environmental Education
Have an idea you want to bring to your community? Our team works with a wide mix of organizations to build practical, high-impact composting and soil education projects. Whether you’re planning a youth program, a community event, or a new sustainability effort, we’ll help you shape something that fits your goals and your audience. Contact our team to get started.