I'm Quick as a Cricket

Last updated Friday, July 23, 2004

Author: Audrey Wood
Illustrator: Don Wood
Date of Publication: 1998
ISBN: 0859536645
Grade Level: Kindergarten
Date(s) Used: August 2004

Synopsis: Mrs. Honey and her cat find themselves in each other's dreams. They fly and fall and fight off sharks with knitting needles. They almost drown and are rescued by sailors, attacked by pirates and saved by Mrs. Honey's cakes, only to end up walking the plank into the briny drink!

*Note that book includes front and back cover.

Discussion topics for before reading:

• What are some animals that are big? Small? Weak? Strong? Etc?
• What are other things that are big, small, weak, strong, etc?

Discussion topics for after reading:

• Are you quick as a cricket or slow as a snail? Sometimes both? When?

Craft ideas:

• Pick one phrase from the book, and (volunteers) write it on the top of a page; have children draw and color what they think the phrase means.
• Draw your favorite animal and talk about how you resemble it.

Special challenge:

• Read out a page, and have the children act it out.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don’t have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!