A Creepy Crawly Song Book

K-Gr 3—This triple treat of poetry, music, and whimsical illustrations all devoted to insects is a curious child's perfect blend. Oram had a wooden house as a child, frequented by local insects, and her fascination with creepy crawlies is infectious. Her poetry is rich in humor, wordplay, and alliteration, all of which are greatly enhanced by Carl Davis's musical settings and Sarah Eyden's vocal stylings. Eyden's pristine soprano and superb British articulation really bring the world of stag beetles, centipedes, and caterpillars to life. Fabulous percussion accompaniments perfectly fit the buggy theme. The guiro, for example, makes an ideal scratching sound in "Itchy, Scratchy Lice!" When listening to the lyrics, make certain that Satoshi Kitamura's colorful illustrations are at hand. Whether grooving to the jazzy "Mama Mosquito's Midnight Whine," marching to the military drumbeats of "March of the Soldier Ants," or giggling to "Uurgh, Eegh, Ugh," about a green and slimy slug, children are sure to be engaged by this clever combination of science, language arts, and music. The only component that mars this delightful work is the sloppy diction of the children's chorus. Certainly, students will want to sing along, but the choir's words are difficult to discern. This CD/book combo belongs in the hands of an imaginative music teacher collaborating with a classroom teacher as a resource for a musical that teaches about insects in an amusing way.—Lonna Pierce, MacArthur and Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, Binghamton, NY