10. I'm as Quick as a Cricket by Audrey Wood

Bibliographic Citation:

Wood, Audrey. Quick as a Cricket. Swindol, England: Child's Play (International), 1998. 24p. ISBN 0-85953-664-5

Awards/Selection Lists:

N/A

Format Examined:

Board book

Annotation:

A young boy compares all the things he can do best to different animals in the wild.

Personal Reaction:
The boy in this book shows young children that they have many different qualities that make up who they are. Through describing himself in ways such as "quick as a cricket" and "slow as a snail", as well as "loud as a lion" and "gentle as a lamb", the character in this story also teaches the concept of opposites. The illustrations are vivid and the rhyming text is fun, making children want to join in on the reading of the book.

Age Recommendation:

I would recommend this book for children 12 months-4 years of age.

Themes/Issues:

Self-esteem, personality, opposites

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge:
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.

Narrative Skills:
The rhyming text, detailed illustrations, and use of opposite concepts on side by side pages encourages children to get involved in the telling of the story.

Phonological Awareness:
The text emphasizes the sounds of words through rhyming text.

Print Awareness:
Simple, one-line sentences are printed on the bottom of each page, under the illustrations, and blocked off by a white strip. This highlights the printed text, encouraging children to take note of the words that match the illustrations above.

Print Motivation:
This is a happy book that connects to children because it is about them. The text is simple and fun to read together.

Vocabulary:

The text uses rhyming text to teach opposite concept words throughout the book.

Author/ Illustrator Website:
Author website: http://www.audreywood.com/ 
Illustrator website: http://www.audreywood.com/audrey-wood,-don-wood,-and-bruce-wood/childrens-book-illustrator-don-woods-biography