The name of the author of the story is George Selden. He is an American writer; he was born in Connecticut. George Selden is an author of several books about Chester Cricket and his friends.
The main characters of the story are Chester Cricket, Mario Bellini, Tucker Mouse, Harry Cat, Mama Bellini, and Papa Bellini.
The story is happening in various locations of New York such as Times Square, Chinatown, and Grand Central Terminal. Some of the scenes are happening at the Bellini’s home and at the newsstand where Mario helps his family’s business to work.
The book begins when Chester Cricket arrives in Times Square in a picnic basket. At the subway station, he moves to Mario Bellini’s newsstand and stays there. After a while, Mario notices the unusual sound the cricket makes and finds Chester on his newsstand. This is how Chester Cricket becomes Mario’s pet.
The main problem of the story is the difficulty of Chester’s choice between his new friends and musical career, and his desire to go back home to Connecticut. During his visit to New York Chester discovers his excellent musical memory, he can play various classical melodies. Chester enjoys performing and he is close with his new friends, but he misses his home in Connecticut.
Chester’s friends Harry and Tucker try to solve the problem discussing it. Chester is unhappy at the newsstand. Mario says that he does not have to come to the newsstand if it does not make him happy. Chester decides to go back to Connecticut. Tucker wants Chester to stay in New York, but Harry says that Cricket should be free to do whatever he wants and follow his heart.
The turning point of the story is the fire the friends accidentally start while having a party at the newsstand. This accident makes Mama Bellini very angry. She tells Mario to get rid of Chester. To make her feel better, Chester starts to chirp her favorite melody, Mama sings along. The cricket’s talent makes her change her mind about Chester and lets him stay. This is the moment when everyone starts to realize that Chester Cricket is very talented.
The problem of the story is solved when fall comes. Chester decides to go back to his home in Connecticut. He performs for the last time at Times Square; people are very impressed by his talent; they stop and listen to his music. Chester spends some time with Mario playing and having fun, and hen after Mario is asleep, the cricket quietly leaves the newsstand with one last chirp.
His friends Harry Cat and Tucker Mouse take him to the Grand Central Station where he can get on a train to Connecticut. Mario says he is glad that Chester went home because he wanted his friend to be happy and do what he wished for the most.
At the end of the story, we see Tucker and Harry talking to each other. They are going to miss their friend Chester Cricket. This is why they decide that one day, they will go to Connecticut and visit him (Selden 2008).
If I could change one thing about the story, I would change the part where Mama Bellini does not want Chester to be Mario’s pet. To my mind, people and animals should be good friends.
Reference List
Selden, G. (2008). The Cricket in Times Square. New York: Square Fish.