I used this for my bug-themed 2nd and 3rd grade program. I believe this was the book that inspired one of the girls to say "This is soooo boooring," but since she said that through almost the entire program, I'm not convinced it's a reflection on the book. A quiet, rythmic text tells of one evening when Nicholas Cricket plays his banjo with the Bug-a-Wug Cricket Band. There isn't much plot; this is moore of a mood piece that would be nice for nighttime reading. Each page has a double-square bordered box that holds either an illustration or the text. The illustrations, by William Joyce, are lovely and done in muted colors that evoke the twilight setting of the story. Overall, I'd call it quietly charming. ( )

This book reminds me of that Whoopi Goldberg READ poster where she's holding this one - that's why I bought it. My kids were too little when I read it to them. I'm going to have to give it another try one of these days. ( )