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Cricketology
Provides instructions for finding, collecting, and keeping crickets and suggests how to delve into the secret lives of these chirping neighbors
48 pages, Library Binding
First published April 28, 1996
About the author
Michael Elsohn Ross
54 books4 followers"I am fascinated by children's natural curiosity and innate science exploration skills," says author and Yosemite Association naturalist Michael Elsohn Ross. "For ten years I have worked with my good friend Allison Brown, a teacher, seeking new ways for children to experience open-ended science play."
It was findings from this project that ultimately gave rise to WHAT'S THE MATTER IN MR. WHISKERS' ROOM, a book of hands-on mini-experiments that lead to Big Ideas--and promote an ongoing passion for independent discovery. "I decided I wanted to create a fictional classroom where kids were having the kind of grand adventures and discoveries that I'd observed," the author says. "To an adult, dirt is dirt, water is water, and gloop is just some yucky squishy stuff. But to Corrie, Miguel, Pearl, and other intrepid youngsters, great discoveries are just around the corner." The seven science stations in WHAT'S THE MATTER IN MR. WHISKERS' ROOM are designed to encourage students to use all their senses to make observations and draw conclusions, ultimately making science discoveries as simple as child's play. Says KIRKUS REVIEWS: "Hopefully, Ross, a naturalist and author of 40 books for children, has many more Mr. Whiskers adventures planned. Great fun with appealing science."
Michael Elsohn Ross, who is also the author of SANDBOX SCIENTIST, a book for parents and teachers that was named a SMITHSONIAN Notable Book, as well as the children's book SNUG AS A BUG, enjoys visiting schools to present assemblies and workshops students, teachers, and families. He lives on the edge of Yosemite National Park with his wife and son.
It was findings from this project that ultimately gave rise to WHAT'S THE MATTER IN MR. WHISKERS' ROOM, a book of hands-on mini-experiments that lead to Big Ideas--and promote an ongoing passion for independent discovery. "I decided I wanted to create a fictional classroom where kids were having the kind of grand adventures and discoveries that I'd observed," the author says. "To an adult, dirt is dirt, water is water, and gloop is just some yucky squishy stuff. But to Corrie, Miguel, Pearl, and other intrepid youngsters, great discoveries are just around the corner." The seven science stations in WHAT'S THE MATTER IN MR. WHISKERS' ROOM are designed to encourage students to use all their senses to make observations and draw conclusions, ultimately making science discoveries as simple as child's play. Says KIRKUS REVIEWS: "Hopefully, Ross, a naturalist and author of 40 books for children, has many more Mr. Whiskers adventures planned. Great fun with appealing science."
Michael Elsohn Ross, who is also the author of SANDBOX SCIENTIST, a book for parents and teachers that was named a SMITHSONIAN Notable Book, as well as the children's book SNUG AS A BUG, enjoys visiting schools to present assemblies and workshops students, teachers, and families. He lives on the edge of Yosemite National Park with his wife and son.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
December 15, 2025
This book is for 7 -9 year olds. It talks about studying Crickets.
This book tells of their habitat, defense tactics, and how they compare to others in their classification. There are exercises in how to observe them and many questions of things to look for when observing them. There is also a section of Kid Experiments that were done at a local school near the author, and the outcome of the experiments.
Fun facts I learned about crickets: They have ears on their elbows of their front legs. China has cricket tournaments (fights) and an exceptional fighter might be buried in a tiny silver coffin when they die. A species of Japanese beach crickets eats only crab meat and turn down shrimp. Mole crickets living in ant colonies make the ants throw up.
This book is part of Michael Elsohn Ross Backyard Buddies series.
This book tells of their habitat, defense tactics, and how they compare to others in their classification. There are exercises in how to observe them and many questions of things to look for when observing them. There is also a section of Kid Experiments that were done at a local school near the author, and the outcome of the experiments.
Fun facts I learned about crickets: They have ears on their elbows of their front legs. China has cricket tournaments (fights) and an exceptional fighter might be buried in a tiny silver coffin when they die. A species of Japanese beach crickets eats only crab meat and turn down shrimp. Mole crickets living in ant colonies make the ants throw up.
This book is part of Michael Elsohn Ross Backyard Buddies series.
Displaying 1 of 1 review