The Cricket in Times Square (Chester Cricket and His Friends)

After Chester Cricket is inadvertently transported via picnic basket from his rural Connecticut home to New York City, he becomes the much-loved pet of a sweet, responsible boy named Mario, whose Italian-immigrant family is trying to make ends meet running a news stand in Times Square. With help from his newfound four-legged friends, Tucker Mouse and Harry Cat, this musical insect helps his adoptive family in their quest to achieve the American Dream. But in spite of the winged-instrument-playing critter becoming the talk of the town, he can't shake the feeling that...there's no place like home. That gained in the book on CD, with the most offensive part, the kind Chinese storekeeper's stereotypical language (rs substituted with ls) replaced with Chinese-accented English, is lost in the portrayal of Chester's musical talents, which is better left to the imagination.

The Cricket in Times Square, G-rated and with excellent illustrations, is an uplifting, inspiring story of friendship that is best when read aloud to your favorite six to eight-year-old bookworm. Also good: The Tale of Desperaux by Kate DiCamillo, Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat by Lynne Jonell, and Frederick by Leo Lionni.

This book was a favorite from my youth. Since my kids are becoming readers, I thought it would be great for me to read this book to them. They loved it. A story about a cricket who can play amazing music; and his two friends the adorable cat & mouse. It was a walk down memory lane to read this book to my kids.

Still a classic. I remembered this book from when I was a child. My daughter (7) is now enjoying it on her own. I would say it's a upper elementary reading level but a great way to learn more.

received item within days of ordering
book is in great condition just what seller said.
i would buy from them again.

I love this book.

I understand it is a stereotype of the Chinese immigrant man. However, every single Chinese immigrant I know has trouble with the Rs and Ls in English, and I live in a big city surrounded by many immigrants.
Chinese Americans do not have this problem.