Parents' Guide to

The Cricket in Times Square

By S. K. List, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Absorbing tale of a very talented cricket.

Book George Selden Adventure 1960
The Cricket in Times Square Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 7+

Based on 3 parent reviews

nailpolish1
nailpolish1 Adult
September 11, 2015
age 5+

ive never actually liked a book before!

kids 5 and under will not under stand it but its a very touching story and i have to read it for school. i thought it would be borig but it was not. its awsome! definitly worth your tax dollars! :) :) (fyi papa smokes but so did my dad so nothing to bad)

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
crankylibrarian
crankylibrarian Parent
January 8, 2014
age 8+

Music and friendship conquer all

A beautifully told New York fantasy: Chester, the country cricket, is accidentally whisked away to downtown Manhattan where he finds a home with a lonely boy named Mario, is befriended by 2 crusty New Yorkers, Tucker the mouse and Harry the cat, and discovers an unexpected talent for classical music.

This title has:

Great role models
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere ... . And Chester Cricket does! The displaced country creature adapts to life in the Big Apple and becomes a success. He shows the universal struggles of immigrants in this delightful story, and Garth Williams's full-page, black-and-white illustrations help bring the tale to life.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (9 ):

George Selden creates an incredibly detailed and compelling animal world (with distinctive animal personalities) within the familiar human world. Small and insignificant, Chester the cricket almost always knows his own mind and, more important, his self-worth. Selden effectively contrasts Chester's slight stature against the size and swirl of New York City and spins the tried-and-true tale of the outsider who confronts the big city. Almost half a century old, THE CRICKET IN TIMES SQUARE may inhabit a kinder, gentler Manhattan, but Selden still captures the city's essence. Kids encounter abundant urban attractions: unusual foods, colorful characters, busy street scenes, stimulating shops.

The target reader readily identifies with Mario, who seems about 10 years old. One of the story's best features is Mario's freedom within the city; all alone, he staffs the newsstand late at night and rides the subway to shop in an unfamiliar district. If this seems strange to kids, they'll also find it empowering. Garth Williams' excellent drawings -- bold in line, rich in detail, and one or two to a chapter -- bring added warmth to the incidents and individuals.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the characters in the story. Do you identify with any of the animal characters? What do you think of the way Mario roams the city all by himself?

Book Details

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