Old Cricket

This book reminded me of an Aesop's fable, because there was a lesson to be learned by the end. I liked how this story had a rich vocabulary, yet it was still simple enough for kids to read and understand. The illustrations are also amusing. This was not a gross bug book!

Delightful.  Little ones will love the adventure, parents will grin at the sly social commentary, and everyone will enjoy the rhythm and alliteration of the text as read aloud, and the detailed painterly illustrations.  I, personally, at this moment, sans little ones, could not bring myself to fully appreciate it, but the right audience will want to buy a copy and read it over & over... highly recommended.

.I enjoyed the illustrations in this book. The wording could be a bit boring at times, but that may be due to the use of repetition. Overall, I enjoyed it, and it goes to show that it can be dangerous and foolish to try to trick someone.

Good use of synonyms and sound words. The illustrations are very detailed and fun to look at. It's a nice version of the old saying, "be careful what you wish for."

Really cute fable that teaches a lesson to its readers- don't be lazy and do your work.

This is a cute story about a cranky cricket that does not want to do his work. He makes up many excuses so that he can get out of doing his work. He lies his way through, until a bird attacks him. All of a sudden, every excuse he had made actually happened. This would be a cute way to get students to do their work and talk about making excuses.

Review: This book is a good example of fantasy because it combines the world as we know it and fantasy. The cricket is personified and does not feel like helping his wife and neighbors to prepare for winter so he pretends to have ailments, but Old Crow has other ideas.
Theme: This story has a good example of an explicit theme of helpfulness. Old Cricket shows us that sometimes it is easiest to just help out when you are needed.
Age appropriateness: Primary, Intermediate