Learn

Here’s a great story to read out loud, since it’s really about friendship, self-expression and discovering the meaning of home. A Newberry Honor book, The Cricket In Times Square by George Selden tells a story about the adventure of living in the big city. It all begins when Chester, a cricket from Connecticut, finds himself being transported on the subway by way of a picnic basket into the city of New York. He finds himself in the Times Square subway station, which is filled to the brim with bustling people. Luckily, Chester finds a place to hide under some newspapers, and is soon discovered by young Mario Bellini. You see, Mario is working at his parent’s newsstand when he finds Chester, and he has to plead with his mother and father to let him keep the cricket.

Eventually, Mario is allowed to take care of the cricket. He fashions a house for Chester from a matchbox that is lined with tissue, so that his new friend will be comfortable. But Chester feels lonely at night when Mario is not around. One night, he ventures into the underground and meets two very unlikely friends named Harry Cat and Tucker Mouse. They discover that Chester has a particular talent that might come in handy someday. Pick up a copy of this wonderful book and take a peek into the wonderful life of The Cricket in Times Square.