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Two months after
Chester's arrival in Times Square, he hosts a dinner party for Tucker and Harry in the newsstand. They turn on the radio, and to Tucker and Harry's delight, Chester begins imitating the songs. Tucker dances and accidentally knocks over a box of matches, setting the newsstand on fire.
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and buys a cricket cage from a shop owner named Sai Fong. While dreaming that night, Chester eats half of a two-dollar bill. The
Bellinis decide that Chester must stay in his cage until Mario repays the two dollars. To free Chester, Tucker donates his life's savings, a collection of coins scrounged
241:. The letter attracts crowds to the newsstand. Chester gives twice daily concerts, but by Thursday, he is exhausted and decides to retire. On Friday evening, he performs a farewell concert. For his final encore, he plays the sextet from
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Mama
Bellini blames the fire on Chester and demands that he go. Chester, saddened, chirps one of the songs he heard on the radio. The song is Mama Bellini's favorite, and she sings along. She relents and allows Chester to stay.
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The cricket's name is
Chester. That evening, Chester meets Tucker Mouse and Harry Cat, best friends who live in an abandoned drainpipe near the newsstand. Chester tells them that he is from
188:, and I did hear a cricket chirp in Times Square. The story formed in my mind within minutes. An author is very thankful for minutes like those, although they happen all too infrequently.
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That night, Chester listens to the radio to learn more human music. The following morning, Chester chirps for Mr. Smedley, who is so impressed he writes a letter to the music editor of
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from the subway station. Mario realizes that he has been feeding
Chester the wrong kind of food. He takes Chester to see Sai Fong, who from then on provides Chester a steady supply of
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Chester and Mario play together for the last time. Mario falls asleep. Chester takes the bell from his cricket cage. Tucker and Harry bring
Chester to
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Mr. Smedley, a music teacher who is a regular customer of the
Bellinis, hears Chester chirping and likens the cricket to
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A guide for using The
Cricket in Times Square in the classroom, based on the novel written by George Selden
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and that he came to New York by being accidentally trapped in a picnic basket. Tucker and Harry show him
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On an early summer evening, Mario
Bellini finds a cricket chirping near his parents' newsstand in the
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Animated TV Specials: The
Complete Directory to the First Twenty-Five Years, 1962-1987
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as the voices of Chester Cricket, Harry Cat, Papa Bellini, and Mr. Smedley;
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Selden gave this explanation of what was the initial idea for the book:
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Jones also wrote and directed two animated sequels,
512:is available for free viewing and download at the
499:is available for free viewing and download at the
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266:wrote and directed a short animated version of
456:. Westminster, CA: Teacher Created Materials.
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380:"Newbery Medal and Honor Books, 1922–Present"
347:books by Thea Feldman based on characters in
274:cast as the voice of Tucker Mouse and Paul;
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382:. American Library Association. 1999-11-30
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247:, and the whole city pauses to listen.
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313:Selden wrote six sequels to the book:
719:Children's novels about mice and rats
559:Chester Cricket and His Friends books
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16:1960 children's book by George Selden
428:. Scarecrow Press. pp. 99–100.
184:One night I was coming home on the
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724:American novels adapted into films
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403:On-line biography of George Selden
83:The Cricket in Times Square series
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744:Children's books set in Manhattan
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286:as Mario. The special aired on
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591:Chester Cricket's Pigeon Ride
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339:(1987). Furthermore, in 2011
332:Harry Kitten and Tucker Mouse
323:Chester Cricket's Pigeon Ride
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165:is a 1960 children's book by
734:Children's novels about cats
486:Children's literature portal
27:The Cricket in Times Square
7:
709:Novels set in New York City
694:Newbery Honor-winning works
567:The Cricket in Times Square
496:The Cricket in Times Square
422:Woolery, George W. (1989).
349:The Cricket in Times Square
268:The Cricket in Times Square
199:Times Square subway station
162:The Cricket in Times Square
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699:American children's novels
599:Chester Cricket's New Home
345:Harry Cat and Tucker Mouse
327:Chester Cricket's New Home
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729:1960 children's books
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509:Yankee Doodle Cricket
452:Onion, Susan (2000).
319:Harry Cat's Pet Puppy
302:Yankee Doodle Cricket
282:as Mama Bellini; and
252:Grand Central Station
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684:1960 American novels
653:A Very Merry Cricket
575:Tucker's Countryside
361:Tucker's Beetle Band
353:Harry to the Rescue!
315:Tucker's Countryside
296:A Very Merry Cricket
151:Tucker's Countryside
689:1960 fantasy novels
290:on April 24, 1973.
244:Lucia di Lammermoor
169:and illustrated by
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714:Fictional crickets
238:The New York Times
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19:For the band, see
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645:Adaptations
626:Other books
299:(1973) and
264:Chuck Jones
206:Connecticut
102:Ariel Books
54:Illustrator
678:Categories
367:References
280:June Foray
258:Adaptation
141:PZ7.T37154
92:Children's
550:Works by
341:Macmillan
272:Mel Blanc
262:In 1973,
221:Chinatown
177:in 1961.
98:Publisher
329:(1983),
325:(1981),
321:(1974),
317:(1969),
305:(1975).
228:leaves.
226:mulberry
72:Language
309:Sequels
217:Orpheus
75:English
664:(1975)
656:(1973)
637:(1973)
618:(1987)
610:(1986)
602:(1983)
594:(1981)
586:(1974)
578:(1969)
570:(1960)
460:
432:
386:May 9,
359:, and
186:subway
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80:Series
44:Author
270:with
129:Print
88:Genre
458:ISBN
430:ISBN
388:2013
193:Plot
113:1960
288:ABC
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