The Cricket in Times Square

The Cricket in Times Square is about exact as a title could be. It is about a Cricket. In Times Square. With the story of a mouse, a cat, and a cricket, and a Human named Mario, it is definitely a hilarious book.

One of the best things about this book, is that it isn't very long. A mere 133 pages, it even better as there are many images. Although the images are black and white, it is very artistically drawn! 

Now to meet some of the characters:

Tucker is a street mouse, very capable of fending for himself, and making the most interesting friends. He lives in a drainage pipe, but leads happy life all the same.

Mario is the human boy who helps out his father at the newspaper stand here at Times Square. Helping his father out is one of the things he does until he stumbles upon a cricket. 

Then there is our main character. Chester Cricket. What he does best is what all crickets to best. Crick. By rubbing his wings together, he can create beautiful music. Quite a talent for music he has. 

Last but not least, Harry Cat. One of the closest friends of Tucker, he finds himself in strange company: with a mouse and a cricket.

With these four characters, they get into tons of trouble, but manage to reach a somewhat decent ending. Chester ends up doing what no cricket has ever done before, with his three unlikely companion, they weave the story of 'The Cricket in Times Square" and one that is very adventurous in a down-to-earth way. 

George Selden wrote the Cricket in Times Square very well, and I do understand that writing a short book is not as easy as it may seem to certain people. The only thing that I would say against this book is that there were times when there was little to no action, which did not help to make the story very fast-paced. I recommend this book to kids ages 8-11.

***I give this book a 8.5 out of 10***