The Very Quiet Cricket [Hardcover]

Eric Carle (Author)

Book Description

Release date: November 9, 1990 | Age Range: 2 - 6 years | Lexile Measure: 430L (What's this?)

A small cricket hatches one warm day,' and the other insects greet him. Though the little guy wants very much to respond, nothing happens when he rubs his wings together. Finally, as night falls, he spies another cricket and attempts to greet her. And this time . . . he chirped the most beautiful sound that she had ever heard.' As usual, Carle's art is lovely and his story is simple and satisfying. But this book has something The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Very Busy Spider didn't have: an electronic chirping mechanism activated by the turning of the last page.
-Publishers Weekly

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A cricket is born who cannot talk! A bigger cricket welcomes him to the world, then a locust, a cicada, and many other insects, but each time the tiny cricket rubs his wings together in vain: no sound emerges. In the end, however, he meets another quiet cricket, and manages to find his "voice." Children will love the repetitive text as they meet a steady parade of new creatures (including a "spittlebug, slurping in a sea of froth"); and of course they'll delight in the happy ending. This is one of a series of large (11.5 by 8.5 inches) format Eric Carle books with a mechanical twist: in this case, the quiet cricket bursts into (surprisingly authentic) electronic song as you turn the last page. (The battery is replaceable.) An amusement for the ears, but most of all--as ever, with Carle--a feast for the eyes. The colorful cut-paper illustrations are simply gorgeous, drawing you in even on the hundredth reading. (And there will be a hundredth reading, followed by many more.) (Baby to preschool) --Richard Farr

From Publishers Weekly

A small cricket hatches "one warm day," and the other insects greet him. Though the little guy wants very much to respond, nothing happens when he rubs his wings together. Finally, as night falls, he spies another cricket and attempts to greet her. "And this time . . . he chirped the most beautiful sound that she had ever heard." As usual, Carle's art is lovely and his story is simple and satisfying. But this book has something The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Very Busy Spider didn't have: an electronic chirping mechanism activated by the turning of the last page. Though the surprisingly realistic noise may get on parents' nerves, it will certainly intrigue and entertain its intended audience. Ages 3-6.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 2 - 6 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Philomel; First Edition edition (November 9, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399218858
• ISBN-13: 978-0399218859
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 11.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (84 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,378 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #37 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Bugs & Spiders

More About the Author

Eric Carle is acclaimed and beloved as the creator of brilliantly illustrated and innovatively designed picture books for young children.


Eric was born in Syracuse, New York, in 1929, and moved with his parents to Germany when he was six years old. After graduating from art school, he returned to America, the land of his happiest childhood memories, and found work as a graphic designer.


After seeing an advertisement designed by Eric, respected educator and author, Bill Martin Jr, called to ask him to illustrate a story he had written. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, with its distinctive collage style, was the result of their collaboration. This favorite was the beginning of Eric Carle's true career. Soon Eric was writing his own stories, developing a close bond with Ann Beneduce, the founder of Philomel Books, who would be his editor for nearly 40 years. In 1969 they published the celebrated classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which has eaten its way into the hearts of literally millions of children all over the world and has been translated into more than 30 languages. Since this beginning, Eric Carle has illustrated more than seventy books, many best sellers, most of which he also wrote.


The secret of Eric Carle's books' appeal lies in his intuitive understanding of and respect for children, who sense in him instinctively someone who shares their most cherished thoughts and emotions. He says "I believe the passage from home to school is the second biggest trauma of childhood; the first is, of course, being born.
Indeed, in both cases we leave a place of warmth and protection for one that is unknown. The unknown often brings fear with it. In my books I try to counteract this fear, to replace it with a positive message. I believe that children are naturally creative and eager to learn. I want to show them that learning is really both fascinating and fun."


Eric Carle has two grown-up children, a son and a daughter. He and his wife Barbara divide their time between Massachusetts and Florida.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous, and with a surprise at the end May 22, 2006

By A. Woodley

Format:Board book

Next to the Hungry Caterpillar this is one of our favourite books in the house, and a favourite Carle book. We have this in board book as we have had this book since my kids were babies. It is still popular as it is really also an early reader - recognising various animals in the garden (although not all are relevant)

This is about a cricket who makes no sound, he meets various other insects in his quest to find out what sound he makes, but he can't do anything.

Finally on the last page he meets another cricket, and makes a sound. The nice surprise is that there is a sensor and when you open that page the sensor sets off a lovely cricket sound (doesn't it remind you of summer nights)

Lovely illustrations, a bit of a quizzical looking cricket, but cut and appealing. Nice use of language and a simple idea which is easily followed through.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A young cricket attempts to respond to passerbys, but fails. February 19, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Board book

This is a wonderful book for children. The illustrations are colorful, and Carle's unique technique of introducing new vocabulary into the young child's mind is extraordinary! The various insects in their own individual portrait, create a distinct mood all of their own. The repetition makes it easy for children to interact and respond with the reader, which builds and develops in the child not only a sense of accomplishment, but also a personal identification with the written literature. Most of all, children are always fascinated by the "surprise" ending!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorites! August 23, 2004

By David Swanson

Format:Board book

This was one of my first Eric Carle books. It's a very friendly book featuring a baby cricket, new to the world being greeted by a variety of friendly insects.

It's also a wonderful way to introduce children to many different kinds of insects, all wonderfully illustrated.

The story is written in a way where a poetic rhythm can be created easily that's carried from page to page to help with certain emphasis that builds expectation. That's seems to be the case with most of Erics books. Simple stories and repetition for emphasis.

Throught this story "the very quite cricket wants to say hello so he rubs his legs together and nothing happens not a sound!"

It ends with the very quite cricket meeting another cricket who is also very quiet. this time when he rubs his legs together you turn the page and here an actual cricket chirp which is sampled or synthisized onto a little chip with replaceble batteries inserted into the back cover controlled by a simple attachment thats activated when you turn the last page. Pretty cool! I love it and so do my kids!