The Cricket in Times Square (urspr publ 1960; utgåvan 1970)

NA

Charming and cute - I somehow missed reading this and my youth. Like the title implies this story is about a cricket who ends up in New York City after getting stuck in a picnic basket. A young boy who works at his family's newsstand has never seen a cricket before and rescues a scared and confused Chester Cricket. Chester starts to live a comfortable life at the newsstand and becomes friends with a mouse and a cat. Together the trio get into mischief and discover that Chester is very talented at making music. Soon big crowds begin to go to the newsstand to see cricket who can play symphonies and other musical acts. But what if fame isn't what Chester wants? A sweet story for young readers - a play on the country mouse/ city mouse trope. Lots of fun! ( )

This is the story of Chester Cricket, who arrives from Connecticut, in the Times Square subway station. Chester is found by Mario Bellini, a boy whose family runs a newsstand. Mario adopts Chester and gives him a place to live at the newsstand. Mario’s mother isn’t too keen on it, but his father sees no harm.

While Chester is living there, he meets a mouse named Tucker and Harry the Cat. The two new friends live across from the newsstand, and help Chester adjust to life in New York.

The tale tells of the friendship between Chester and Mario and how they appreciate each other, even though they can’t speak. It is also of the friendship between Chester, Tucker and Harry…and they can communicate. Chester shares adventures with Mario and then also with Tucker and Harry.

Mario’s family’s newsstand isn’t doing well, but Tucker, Chester and Harry come up with a plan that helps the Bellini’s business improve. Chester also learns more about himself and what it is that is important to him and his life.

It is a book for kids, but I think adults can enjoy it too. Sometimes a story where the character care about helping each other, and others that may not know these friends exist, can be a good read. Something that is positive in outlook.

There are also illustrations in the edition I read. The illustrator also did “Charlotte’s Web.” ( )

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