Illustrated by Ponder Goembel
S&S/Richard Jackson/Atheneum
*2005-2006 South Dakota Prairie Bud Award Nominee
*2005--2005 Arkansas Diamond Primary Award List
* 2007 Arizona Young Reader Award Nominee
*2006-2007 Nebraska Golden Sower Award Nominee
*New York Public Library's Children's Books 2003: 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
* School Library Journal's Best Books of 2003
*2005 Kentucky Bluegrass Award Nominee
*Pennsylvania Library Association for the 2004 Carolyn W. Field Award for illustrations
Book Description:
Old Cricket wakes up feeling crotchety. So when his wife asks him to fix the roof, he fakes an ailment --a crick in his neck. On his way to see Doc Hopper, Old Cricket fakes other maladies such as a creak in in his knee and a crack in his back. But when Old Crow decides to dine on Old Cricket for lunch, the faker sets off with a crick-crick-crick, and a creak-creak-creak, and a crack-crack-crack and a caw-caw-caw close behind. A rollicking romp and read aloud book.
Reviews:
*Starred Review* The figures in this original tale seem ready to spring off the pages, and the text, laced with creaks and cracks, is a natural for reading aloud. © Kirkus 2003
*Starred Review* Wheeler makes excellent use of repetition and alliteration. The text encourages spirited readings and audience participation in the rhythmic refrains of 'crick-crick-crick' and 'crack-crack-crack'. . . . The energy of the artwork adds to the excitement as Old Cricket rushes to escape from the hungry crow by throwing him food from his bundle. This amusing tale is a natural for reading aloud and will be requested again and again. © School Library Journal 2003
*Starred Review* The team responsible for Sailor Moo returns with a homespun trickster tale enhanced by sprightly humor and ace draftsmanship. . . . Smartly paced and skillfully drawn, this tale delivers a gentle comeuppance sure to please smart young bugs. © Publisher's Weekly 2003
