Oscar and the Cricket: A Book About Moving and Rolling

Start with Science

by Geoff Waring

Start with Science books introduce kids to core science concepts through engaging stories, fresh illustrations, and supplemental activities.

One day Oscar sees a ball in the grass. "Try pushing it!" says Cricket. Oscar learns that the ball rolls slowly in grass and faster on a path, until it bounces off a tree and changes direction. Some things need a push to move, and others use their muscles to move themselves — and to move plenty of other things, too.

Genres: Picture Books, Science, Childrens, Nonfiction, Cats, Physics, Stem

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 2, 2006

Reviews

[Tyler Piers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oscar and the Cricket is the name of a duo in North Las Vegas. They are the super low budget version of Jay and Silent Bob. They also commit acts of crime hoping to save up enough money for the All you can eat spaghetti special on Wednesdays at Poker Palace. Stay Safe!

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oscar the cat is the lead character in a series of educational picture books by Geoff Waring. Each one teaches a new concept through an illustrated Socratic method. Oscar and the Cricket teaches the basic physics of movement.

I personally love the art style and the gentle approach to teaching basic science concepts. I thought since the book features an adorable cat that my daughter would like the book. She unfortunately saw right through the cute pictures to the lesson at hand. She was not impressed. She is going through an escapist literature run right now and nonfiction isn't on her radar.

If you though have children who constantly ask questions about their world but maybe aren't ready for the longer nonfiction books in the children's library, I recommend the Oscar books.
The Oscar books include:

* Oscar and the Bat: A Book About Sound (2006)
* Oscar and the Bird: A Book About Electricity (2009)
* Oscar and the Cricket: A Book About Moving and Rolling (2006)
* Oscar and the Frog: A Book About Growing (2007)
* Oscar and the Moth: A Book About Light and Dark (2007)
* Oscar and the Snail: A Book About Things That We Use (2009)

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

We've been looking at topics like inertia, force, and movement lately - this tied in with that really well!

Miss 5 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

[Roshell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grade: 4th
Science

The science book is all about moving, rolling, pushing, and pulling different objects. I loved the pictures.

[Charlotte Osborn-bensaada · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of series to introduce scientific concepts to children in the 3-5 year old range using the world around them from the perspective of Oscar the cat and a cricket. This one covers moving and rolling. While the story is quite simple it does provide a useful base for the concept. At the end of the story are several examples of how to extend the concepts and sample experiments.

[Lupine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A physics book for a preschool to kindergartener. I gave it an extra star because the illustrations are so darn ADORABLE.

[Tina B]

"sequel, science, cats, bugs"

[Karen Arendt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story choice about motion for first grade curriculum.

[Pynteya Bate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book with charming illustrations is about moving and rolling of the objects, the simplest way to explain to the children the basics of the method of movement. I like it very much!!!

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would buy this for a classroom.