The Cricket in Times Square

The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden and illustrated by Garth Williams is a charming romp between animals in New York City. Chester Cricket follows the aroma of liverwurst and ends up in a picnic basket that takes him very far from his Connecticut home and into the madness of NYC, where he meets Tucker Mouse and Harry Cat. The three critters bond and learn from each other as they adventure throughout the big apple.

The Cricket in Times Square is a work of fantasy, and while it is largely a chapter book, it's interspersed with charming illustrations in a vintage engraving style that are largely representational and line-focused.

Activities

1. Imagining. If you were an animal, what would you be? And what would entrance you far from your home? Make a miniature picture book about you as an animal lured away with temptations! 
2. Surprises. A bunny has shown up at your doorstep and explains she was lured far from home by the scent of carrots. Now she needs you to show her around and help her return! What places do you show her? What adventures can you have? Make a list and include drawings.
3. Tour guide. Make a map of your home town and all the spots that could be exciting to explore with a friend who has never been there before. Make it as descriptive as possible in case your friend can't find you and must rely only on your map. 
4. Locales. Find a friend or relative from a different part of the world. Ask them about where they're from, and how it's different. Do a whole interview and make a list of their answers. How is everything different? Return the favor and have them interview you and describe what makes your home unique.
5. Mishaps. Have you ever intended to go on an adventure, but been sidetracked by accidents, mishaps, and more? Think about the fire or Chester's adventures on Broadway. Have you been on an adventure before?

This book is so lovely! It reminds me a lot of the 90s movie, Homeward Bound. The three animals develop an extraordinarily cute friendship, and their relations describe their lives and experiences in a number of habitats and slots in the social hierarchy of the animal kingdom. The dialog is well written and sweet, and Chester is a very human character, despite being a cricket! Similar books include Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, Stuart Little also by E.B. White, and Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater.

Bibliography

Selden, George; Williams, Garth. The Cricket in Times Square. (2008) Square Fish.