Crickwing

Author: Janell Cannon
Illustrator: Janell Cannon

Comments:
Janell Cannon has created another unforgetable character like Stellaluna and Verdi. A cockroach does not seem an initially appealing protagonist. In fact Cannon drew inspiration from David G. Gordon's The Compleat Cockroach: A Comprehensive Guide to the Most Despised (and Least Understood) Creature on Earth. After playing a heart-warming, supporting role in Disney's Wall-E, cockroaches are making a comeback.

In addition to being a cockroach living in the rainforest, he is injured by a hungry toad and nicknamed Crickwing, which he finds so painful that he withdraws from the other creatures. He enjoys making scultpures out of his food, but other preditors steal it away from him before he has a chance to enjoy it. After enduring this bullying, Crickwing finds some insects small enough for him to pick on, some leaf-cutter ants. Unfortunately, the whole colony teams up to defend themselves against Crickwing. Little did they know that he has a secret talent that could relieve the leaf-cutters from the tyranny of the army ants.

There is so much depth to Cannon's stories. Crickwing emphasizes the value and uniqueness of each live, even those that are deemed less valuable. It also portraying the dangerous cycle of bitterness and bullying halted only by mercy and forgiveness.

After the story, Cannon includes scientific notes about Cockroaches and Ants.

Copyright: Harcourt, 2000
Age level: 6-9
Format: Picture Book
Genre: Fantasy
Multicultural/International: No
Award: Janell Cannon is the award-winning author of Stellaluna.
Location: Peabody Library
Rating: * * * * *