We’ve all had them in our home at one time or another.  Their pretty little chirp very quickly can become maddening.  That is why I have never understood the Chinese custom of keeping one in a cage in your home. Crickets are not only noisy but can cause damage to fabric paper and many other things.  This is from a human point of view.  I never thought to look at it from the cricket’s point of view.  Ms. Dettmann helped me do exactly that. Stan and Edith have retired and moved to the country: perfect home, perfect view, peaceful, EXCEPT for the crickets in the house.  Edith cannot stand them, especially when they jump on her in the night. They give her the “hebbie-jebbies to put it mildly, and she is on all out quest to exterminate them.  Much to her dismay nothing works! At the same time I read about Edith’s woes, I also learn about Madison, resident camel cricket, according to his life and experiences in their home.  Her grandchildren come for a visit and find a book on crickets.  The boys are fascinated about them and even build a cricket cabin in the workshop for Madison and his friends.  That’s when Edith’s’ attitude begins to change, and I have to say mine did too. I never knew how fascinating these little guys were. I learned so much about how their bodies operate, survival, reproduction, and thanks to the author’s vivid imagination, how the world looks to them. I believe this book is a forerunner of a new, fun way to teach children (and adults) scientific information about nature and the many creatures we share this planet with. As an adult I loved the beautiful countryside photos at the beginning of each chapter. And I must say I won’t be “squishing” (sorry to be so graphic) crickets anymore! This is a delightful entertaining book.