A silent cricket finally discovers his song when he meets a female of the species. The text is skillfully shaped; the illustrations convey energy and immediacy; and, in a surprise ending, a microchip inserted in the last page replicates the cricket's chirp. Fortunately, the final sentence is a sufficient conclusion in itself and will stand firm, however limited the life of the soundtrack.

A small cricket hatches one warm day,'' and the other insects greet him. Though the little guy wants very much to respond, nothing happens when he rubs his wings together. Finally, as night falls, he spies another cricket and attempts to greet her.And this time . . . he chirped the most beautiful sound that she had ever heard.'' As usual, Carle's art is lovely and his story is simple and satisfying. But this book has something The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Very Busy Spider didn't have: an electronic chirping mechanism activated by the turning of the last page. Though the surprisingly realistic noise may get on parents' nerves, it will certainly intrigue and entertain its intended audience. Ages 3-6. (Nov.)

PreS-Gr 1-- Carle has created yet another celebration of nature. Ironically, it relies upon a high-tech gadget. When a baby cricket is born, a big cricket rubs his wings together to chirp Welcome!'' The little cricket attempts to reply, but there is no sound. On each double-page spread, the young creature encounters a variety of insects, but is unable to produce a sound to respond to their greetings. Finally, he comes upon another cricket, rubs his wings together, and chirps. Readers are then rewarded with a mechanically produced cricket'schirp.'' Typical of Carle's style, the language is simple, with rhythm, repetition, and alliteration to delight young listeners. Painted collage illustrations are lavish and expressive. Unfortunately, while Carle takes full advantage of the opportunity presented by technology, he does so at the expense of the story. Although the attempt to provide a multisensory experience is an admirable one, he relies too heavily on gimmickry. The sound produced is not so much enhancement for the plot as it is essential to the resolution. Without it, the final outcome is flat and anticlimactic, and the text becomes tediously repetitive. Although the publisher promises that the ``cricket's chirp will have a long life'' if the book is closed after reading, it is difficult to gauge its life span in library circulation. The book is sure to attract a large audience, but readers who come to it after the novelty has worn off will be disappointed. --Starr LaTronica, North Berkeley Library, CA