Trapped in a picnic basket, Chester Cricket travels from his peaceful Connecticut home to the bustling Times Square subway station in George Selden’s classic children’s novel, The Cricket in Times Square (1960). There, Chester makes three good friends who help him navigate—and enjoy—his new city life: Mario Bellini, a young boy whose parents run a struggling newsstand; Tucker, a sociable mouse; and Tucker’s best friend, the cultured Harry Cat. Mishaps in the newsstand set Mama Bellini against Chester until the cricket uses his musical talent to ensure the newsstand’s success. Selden explores timeless themes of friendship, the meaning of home, staying true to oneself, and the power of music. Whimsical black and white illustrations by acclaimed illustrator Garth Williams capture the story’s humor and heart. The Cricket in Times Square received the Newbery Honor award in 1961 and was adapted into an animated film in 1973 directed by Chuck Jones and featuring Les Tremayne as the voice of Chester and Mel Blanc as the voice of Tucker.

Pagination in this guide refers to the 1960 Dell Yearling edition.

Content Warning: The Cricket in Times Square contains outdated and stereotypical representations of Chinese people and culture.

Plot Summary

Tucker Mouse watches from his drainpipe home in the Times Square subway station as young Mario Bellini tries to sell papers to late-night commuters. Mario doesn’t have much luck: the tiny family newsstand that Papa Bellini built years ago makes little money. In between noisy trains, Tucker hears an unfamiliar sound. Mario recognizes the sound as a cricket’s chirp. He tracks the chirp to a pile of trash and finds a tiny black cricket. Mario carefully takes the cricket to the newsstand, dusts it off, and makes a home for it in a matchbox. Mario is excited to have a new friend, but when Mario’s parents arrive, Mama wants him to get rid of the “bug” despite Mario’s assurance that crickets are good luck. Peacemaker Papa Bellini decides that the cricket can stay in the newsstand. When the Bellinis leave, Tucker hurries to meet the cricket.

Chester Cricket got stuck in a picnic basket and escaped in the subway station. Nervous and alone, Chester misses his tree stump home and peaceful meadow. He chirps when he doesn’t know what to do, and he chirps to express his emotions. Gregarious, outgoing Tucker reassures Chester that everything will be fine and urges Chester to stay in New York and experience new things. Tucker and his best friend, Harry, a large, gentle tiger-striped cat, take Chester above-ground to see Times Square at night. The sight overwhelms Chester until he sees a familiar star that comforts him.

The next day, Mario eagerly shows Chester to the counterman at the nearby lunch counter, and to Mr. Smedley, a music teacher who stops by the newsstand monthly to talk with Papa about their shared passion, Italian opera. Mr. Smedley admires Chester’s beautiful chirp, says he’s a natural musician with a promising future, and compares Chester to the Greek musician Orpheus.

Mario takes Chester to Chinatown to find a cricket cage. They meet Sai Fong, the owner of a Chinese novelty shop. The elderly Chinese gentleman is delighted to see Chester and finds him an ornate, pagoda-shaped cage. Sai Fong shares the legend of Hsi Shuai, the first cricket, who was once a man who told only the truth until the gods turned him into a cricket to save his life. Sai Fong gives Mario a fortune cookie that predicts good luck. Chester doesn’t like the cricket cage, which feels restrictive, but Tucker thinks it’s ritzy.

Chester dreams of eating a bad-tasting leaf and wakes to find he has chewed up a $2 bill from the Bellinis’ cash register. Mama Bellini is outraged. She wants Chester gone, but Papa suggests that Mario work extra time to make up the money—and that Chester stay locked up until the debt is paid. Prompted by Harry, Tucker gives Chester some of his life savings to pay back the money. Worried that Chester isn’t getting the correct food, Mario revisits Sai Fong for advice and stays to enjoy a sumptuous Chinese dinner with Sai Fong and his elderly friend. Both men enjoy listening to Chester’s song.

Chester begins to enjoy New York. Tucker and Harry celebrate Chester’s two-month anniversary by throwing a party in the newsstand. They listen to the Bellinis’ radio, and Chester discovers that he can instantly memorize human music and play it back perfectly. The party ends in tragedy when Tucker’s exuberant dancing knocks over a box of matches and the newsstand catches fire. Fortunately, a subway conductor notices the smoke and extinguishes the fire before much damage occurs.

Mama Bellini believes that Chester set the fire and that he’s a jinx. She insists that Chester leave. Downcast, Chester plays an Italian folksong that makes Mama Bellini emotional. She forgives Chester. The Bellinis are thrilled to find that Chester can play anything, from operatic arias to show tunes. Awestruck by Chester’s talent, Mr. Smedley writes a letter to the newspaper calling Chester a “miracle.” Chester becomes famous, giving daily concerts to crowds in the subway station. Chester’s music silences the noisy station and brings listeners peace. Although glad to help the Bellinis, Chester is unhappy and decides that he needs to return to Connecticut. Harry and Tucker support Chester’s decision. Chester’s final concert is his most beautiful and brings the subway station and Times Square to a stop while people listen.

Chester says an emotional goodbye in his own way to Mario, and chirps goodbye to Harry and Tucker as his train leaves for Connecticut. Mario understands that Chester went home and is glad that he’ll be happy. Tucker suggests that he and Harry visit Chester next summer.

In Selden’s first sequel to The Cricket in Times Square, Tucker’s Countryside (1969), the animals reunite in Connecticut, and Tucker and Harry help Chester save his meadow from destruction. Another sequel, Harry Cat’s Pet Puppy (1974) introduces Huppy, a stray puppy that Harry brings home. Four other titles complete the Chester Cricket and His Friends series, and all are delightfully illustrated by Garth Williams.