The Cricket in Times Square (ISBN 0440415632)

Amazon.com Review:
One night, the sounds of New York City--the rumbling of subway trains, thrumming of automobile tires, hooting of horns, howling of brakes, and the babbling of voices--is interrupted by a sound that even Tucker Mouse, a jaded inhabitant of Times Square, has never heard before. Mario, the son of Mama and Papa Bellini, proprietors of the subway-station newsstand, had only heard the sound once. What was this new, strangely musical chirping? None other than the mellifluous leg-rubbing of the somewhat disoriented Chester Cricket from Connecticut. Attracted by the irresistible smell of liverwurst, Chester had foolishly jumped into the picnic basket of some unsuspecting New Yorkers on a junket to the country. Despite the insect's wurst intentions, he ends up in a pile of dirt in Times Square. Mario is elated to find Chester. He begs his parents to let him keep the shiny insect in the newsstand, assuring his bug-fearing mother that crickets are harmless, maybe even good luck. What ensues is an altogether captivating spin on the city mouse/country mouse story, as Chester adjusts to the bustle of the big city. Despite the cricket's comfortable matchbox bed (with Kleenex sheets); the fancy, seven-tiered pagoda cricket cage from Sai Fong's novelty shop; tasty mulberry leaves; the jolly company of Tucker Mouse and Harry Cat; and even his new-found fame as "the most famous musician in New York City," Chester begins to miss his peaceful life in the Connecticut countryside. The Cricket in Times Square--a Newbery Award runner-up in 1961--is charmingly illustrated by the well-loved Garth Williams, and the tiniest details of this elegantly spun, vividly told, surprisingly suspenseful tale will stick with children for years and years. Make sure this classic sits on the shelf of your favorite child, right next to The Wind in the Willows. (Ages 9 to 12)

Wonderfull!:
I bought this set of CDs two years ago for my daughter. She likes to listen to books-on-CD at night while she is going to sleep. I have bought a number of CDs and I have to say that this is one of the better ones. She still listens to it 2 years later!

The Cricket in Times Square:
I purchased this book as a Hanukah gift for my daughter so I will have to wait and see

Same book I remember:
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.

A favorite from my youth:
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.

"Good luck is coming your way. Be ready.":
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.