the cricket in times square by george selden

Smedley, the Bellini's best newsstand customer, who is impressed and writes a letter to the New York Times about it. Later, Chester chirps classical music pieces and hymns for a music teacher, Mr.

It soon becomes clear that Chester has a perfect memory for music, as he chirps opera selections, which surprises Papa Bellini.

However, at the right moment, Chester chirps Mama Bellini's favorite song, which she sings along to and which also leads her to change her mind. The fire is put out, but Mama Bellini is extremely angry, accuses Chester of being an arsonist, and demands that Mario get rid of Chester, much to the boy's dismay. Later in the story during a party that Chester, Harry, and Tucker are having, they accidentally set fire to the newsstand. Mama Bellini wants Chester to go, but Tucker gives part of his coin collection that he's collected from scrounging to save Chester and replace the money. Mario takes Chester to Chinatown (via the 1 train), where he buys Chester a cricket cage from the Chinatown shop owner Sai Fong.Īt one point, Chester accidentally eats a two dollar bill from the newsstand cashier. During the story, Chester reveals his musical chirping talent. They show him Times Square, which Chester finds overwhelming. At the newsstand, Chester meets Tucker Mouse and Harry Cat, who spend their time scrounging the city for food and other thrown away items. Mama Bellini is concerned that the cricket will give the family germs, but Papa Bellini is more easy-going about the cricket's presence. Mario Bellini, who helps his parents run a financially struggling newsstand, finds Chester and takes him to the newsstand, as he wants to keep the cricket as a pet and for good luck. After stumbling on the subway, Chester ends up in Times Square. The story is about a cricket from Connecticut named Chester who gets caught on a commuter train heading for New York.

The cricket in times square by george selden