Families who loved Old Cricket by Lisa Wheeler often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child has suddenly developed a convenient tummy ache or a tired toe right when it is time to clean up their toys. Old Cricket is a master of the creative excuse, claiming a creak in his knee and a crack in his back to avoid chores, until he finds himself in a real pickle with a hungry crow. It is a lighthearted way to address the natural urge to dodge responsibility without being preachy. Through rhythmic wordplay and humorous bug characters, the story explores the difference between being truly unwell and just being a bit lazy. While Old Cricket starts off being less than honest, his quick thinking eventually saves him from a predator. It is a fantastic choice for children ages 4 to 8 who appreciate slapstick humor and can recognize their own stalling tactics in the antics of a grumpy, clever insect.