The Tale of Chirpy Cricket

By: Arthur Scott Bailey

Narrated by: Lee Ann Howlett

Chirpy Cricket sleeps in his little hole in Farmer Green's farmyard all day but when night falls, he comes out of his hole and makes his music with other members of the cricket family. Chirpy calls the noise he makes with his legs "fiddling" and he loves to fiddle. When he isn't fiddling, he gathers grass to take back to his hole to eat. Chirpy also likes to visit other creatures on the farm such as Tommy Tree Cricket, Freddie Firefly, Mr. Cricket Frog and others. Arthur Scott Bailey wrote a number of children's books. This book is part of his Tuck-Me-In Tales series. Bailey managed to slip facts about the various creatures into his books without sounding "preachy" and incorporated science into his wonderful stories while still giving his characters distinct personalities.

©1920 Grosset & Dunlap (P)2015 Memory Tyne Audiobooks

Stars: Overall: 5 Narration: 4 Story 5

AudioBook Review: Stars: Overall: 5 Narration: 4 Story: 5

Taking a new view on classic children’s stories is the perfect option for those ‘wind-down times before bed or nap times, or even just for some quiet family time. Arthur Scott Bailey was a prolific writer of children’s stories that were based on wildlife and farm animals, incorporating a touch of science and a huge dollop of imagination into a story that entertains and enchants.

In The Tale of Chirpy Cricket, Chirpy is the ‘most musical’ of all the insects at the farm, even as his song doesn’t change. Through his unique perspective, cricket ‘fiddling’ and songs are explained and wind into a tale that fuels imagination as it relaxes and teaches.

Narration for this little story is from Lee Ann Howlett, and she manages to present a mix of character voices and clear narrative voice with a soothing tone, encouraging careful listening while not over-playing any one character or moment. A lovely little story for the under eights in your household, part of a collection of Tuck-Me-In Tales that I’m sure could become staples in households with young children.

I received an AudioBook copy of the title via AudioBook Jukebox for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

A Sweet Treat

What did you like best about The Tale of Chirpy Cricket? What did you like least?

I enjoyed Chirpy's simple reasoning and meeting his friends of the field. I thought it (the story) a bit long overall.

If you’ve listened to books by Arthur Scott Bailey before, how does this one compare?

I have not had the opportunity to hear/read other stories by this author.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

I thought the overall narration was pleasant. The narrator gave an overall grandmotherly feel to the storytelling. I think I would have enjoyed the story more if a narrator was chosen who does character voices (due to the longer length of the story and especially to keep the attention of a child listener).

Could you see The Tale of Chirpy Cricket being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No.

Any additional comments?

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the narrator via audiobookblast in exchange for an unbiased review.

Chirpy Cricket

Any additional comments?

The audiobook is good but I will get the print format. Very young children will enjoy the book better.

Audible version of a vintage children's story

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

This was an endearing story of a cricket named Chirpy who wants to play his music but annoys Jonny. The story is about Chirpy's visit to other animals who make noise, including other crickets who appear to be related to him.
Eventually, Jonny comes to understand and appreciate Chirpy's "fiddle"

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

The story is best suited for children under age 8, and provides some great education on crickets and other little farm insects.

What about Lee Ann Howlett’s performance did you like?

Ms. Howlett has a pleasant voice which was very suitable for this story.

Could you see The Tale of Chirpy Cricket being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

I just learned that it was actually an old story! I think it would be a cute little cartoon or pre-movie short.

Incredibly Cute for a Kid at Heart

"The Tale of Chirpy Cricket" was an absolute treat to listen to. I love children's stories and this one was up there in cuteness. I want to live in Pleasant Valley. This book made me smile. Chirpy, Freddy Firefly, the katydid's and all the characters were just adorable.

This audiobook was well-deserving of 5 stars and most definitely grandma approved.

Lee Ann Howlett did a fantastic job reading Chirpy Cricket. I enjoyed listening to her and I feel she was the perfect narrator. I think that kids would really enjoy her reading as well as she has a softness to her voice. I hope she does more of these books. Loved it!

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com."

2.5 stars - a bit of a snoozer for me

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

In the last few months, the book blogging community has really inspired me to spread my wings and try genres I would otherwise ignore. I have been suck in the same couple of genres for years and decided this would be no more! I love romance and I still read it, but I am craving children’s books lately, so I picked up The Tale of Chirpy Cricket because it sounded cute and what the hell, why not?

The Tale of Chirpy Cricket follows the most musical cricket in the neighborhood. (What neighborhood? Beats me!) We follow Chirpy Cricket around while he fiddles along, chatting up different kinds of crickets, other insects in the neighborhood and a few animals, too.

To say I had mixed feelings about this book would be an understatement. Once I finished the book, I gave myself a few days to stew on my feelings for it. I have finally come to realize I enjoyed the idea of The Tale of Chirpy Cricket more than I actually enjoyed the experience. It was a fun idea, but I really just didn’t click with the writing. I realize now that it’s probably because it was written as a children’s tale in the 1920s. Since I thought it was a modern children’s book when I picked up the book, it perplexed me why it sounded so… old fashioned. Not that there is anything wrong with older books, I just wasn’t in the mindset for one when I started this book.

It also felt like it moved really slowly when a children’s book for young children should probably have a faster pace. Certainly an audiobook of only 1 hour and 3 mins.

Just a warning…

The Tale of Chirpy Cricket uses words like “queer” – it isn’t used as a slur or anything, just used as a part of the language. I know that some parents might not be okay with words like that in a book for young readers, so I thought I better give y’all a heads up. :)

All-in-all, The Tale of Chirpy Cricket wound up being a snoozer for me (though since it was written as part of some Tuck-Me-In Tales series of Bailey’s, that might be a good thing).
Let’s Chat Narration

Once I began The Tale of Chirpy Cricket, I knew the Lee Ann Howlett sounded familiar. I looked her up and realized she was the narrator for Romancing Olive as well. I loved how soothing her voice was for this book. She has the perfect voice for children’s books and it showed well in Chirpy Cricket. I could clearly distinguish all the characters and she actually made this snoozer a bit more entertaining for me. I hope she performs more children’s books in the future!