Here are more ideas for storytime themes to go along with the summer reading program for 2008, Catch the Reading Bug.

For a craft project, you can make the crickets at http://www.storknet.com/cubbies/kidscrafts/sep05.htm which are made from combs. You could also make the paper plate cricket shown on Denise Fleming's website, to go along with her book Barnyard Banter: http://denisefleming.com/pages/activites-barnyard.html. Try to bring in some real crickets, which are often found at pet stores. You could even demonstrate how crickets can be used as a thermometer: http://www.ehow.com/how_17644_cricket-thermometer.html but be sure to use a male cricket! They are the ones that chirp.

Those titles marked T will be suitable for a Toddler Storytime as well as the traditional preschool storytime.

Carle, Eric. THE VERY QUIET CRICKET. T
A cricket meets other friendly insects during the day.

Fleming, Denise. BARNYARD BANTER. T
Filled with animal sounds, this short rhyming story talks about farm animals.

Wheeler, Lisa. OLD CRICKET.
Old Cricket is too tired and cranky to help his wife prepare for the winter.

Maxner, Joyce. NICHOLAS CRICKET.
A bug jazz band plays at the late night forest dance.

Wood, Audrey. QUICK AS A CRICKET. T
A rhyming story about a boy who acts like various animals.

Caudill, Rebecca. A POCKETFUL OF CRICKET.
A 1964 Caldecott Honor book with illustrations by Evaline Ness, a boy finds a cricket.