Cricket in the Thicket: Poems about Bugs

Reviewed by: Jan Hamilton - Little Dolphin School, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: August 7, 2017

Review

Certain to be loved by future entomologist this book will also inform, entertain, and surprise those who declare they dislike bugs. The leading roles go to the grasshopper and firefly as they each are featured in two page spreads. All twenty five insects have their moment in the sun as Murray captures their habits with humor and Sweet illustrated their habitat with color. The text and illustrations work together in harmony offered a wonderful experience to children of all ages. It is Sweet's detailed collage technique that may well make this a winning title in 2017.

The cover will bring readers to the text in a nonthreatening breath of fresh air. Each creature is treated gently in both poetry and illustration. OK, perhaps the spider is a little frightening but the cicada’s smile will win over any negative vibes. The book contains cricket notes which continues learning in and out of the classroom. Art teaches will add this to their collections and classroom teachers will use in poetry and science instructional units. Most important, many children will want this for personal bug research as well as search and rescue missions.

Overall Book Score: excellent