BY CAROL MURRAY
PUBLISHED BY HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY
A CHRISTY OTTAVIANO BOOK
“Pray tell us, Mr. Mantis,
Do you pray or simply prey?
Do you scout about for victims
Or fold your hands all day?
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In addition to the playful rhyming poems, the supplementary text highlights surprising facts about bugs of all kinds―from familiar ants to exotic dragonflies, cringe-worthy ticks and magnificent fireflies. Melissa Sweet’s collage-inspired mixed-media illustrations beautifully render these creatures and compliment the poems’ whimsical tones. This is an enchanting and informative look at a perennial topic of interest for kids―cool bugs!
Find CRICKET IN THE THICKET at local independent bookstores, through IndieBound, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, or in your local library.
An NCTE Notable Poetry Book
A Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award Nominee
A Pennsylvania Keystone to Reading Award Masterlist Selection
A 2018 Kansas Notable Book
“An approachable poetry collection on a genial topic, chock-full of visual delights.
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“Sweet’s illustrations―with their graceful lines, luminous colors, and sly wit―delight throughout, offering delicious moments.
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“A lighthearted treasury. . . the poems are clever and humorous . . .Happy-go-lucky fun with words, collage, and a smattering of facts about bugs.”
“A friendly package that should draw in even bug-phobic readers, providing a non threatening entree into the insect world.
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“Bouncy little poems skitter across the illustrated pages as Murray celebrates bugs, from walking sticks to dung beetles. Sprightly, simple, and with a nice soupcon of information; a fine choice.”
“Sweet’s familiar blend of delicacy and quirky character . . . is perfect for rendering the familiar insects strange yet somehow cozy. . . A tuneful entry in an early insect curriculum.”
