History Literature / TheCricketInTimesSquare

* SequelHook: At the end of the story, Tucker and Harry discuss the idea of going to visit Chester in Connecticut, which they do in the first sequel. Tucker also mentions the idea of a return engagement for Chester to the newsstand, which does not happen.

* AnnoyingLaugh: Lulu the pigeon.

* SequelHook: At the end of the story, Tucker and Harry discuss the idea of going to visit Chester in Connecticut, which they do in the first sequel.

* WiseOldTurtle: Simon, who appears in all of the Meadow-based books.

* PutOnABus: It's mentioned at one point that Mario is now off studying the violin.

* TrademarkFavoriteFood: Chester loves liverwurst. Also mulberry leaves, a fact which Sai Fon fortunately knows.

* CatConcerto: Harry delivers one, though he's not on a fence at the time. Also, [[DreadfulMuscian unlike Chester]], no one's going to turn him into a celebrity for it.

* ''Chester Cricket's New Home'': Chester's stump is destroyed, and he searches the meadow for a new home, dealing with the various eccentric inhabitants in the process.

* ShoutOut: Mr. Smedley tells Mario and Chester the story of [[Myth/ClassicalMythology Orpheus]], who played so beautifully that all nature would stand still to listen, {{foreshadowing}} the chapter "Orpheus," in which Chester's own playing makes its way up through the grates above the subway and all of Times Square stands still in admiration.

''The Cricket in Times Square'' is a 1960 [[UsefulNotes/NewberyMedal Newbery Honor]]-winning children's novel by George Selden and start of a seven-book series called ''Chester Cricket and His Friends''. It was adapted into an animated short film in 1973, directed by Creator/ChuckJones and starring Creator/MelBlanc as Tucker and Les Tremayne as Chester and Harry. Jones also directed two original sequels -- "Yankee Doodle Cricket" and "A Very Merry Cricket".

Chester is a simple common black cricket living in rural Connecticut, spending his days foraging, chirping, and communing with the nature he loves. But one day he encounters a family out on a picnic, and his fondness for liverwurst gets him more than he bargained for. He falls asleep inside the picnic basket and is transported miles from his home, eventually jostled out and into the dust and unfamiliar noise of the Times Square Subway Station.

He soon befriends an eccentric cast of characters who help him acclimate to city life, including Mario Bellini, a young boy struggling to keep his family newsstand afloat; Tucker, a brash and streetwise city mouse; Harry, a laid-back tomcat and Tucker's roommate; Sai Fong, a Chinese storerunner; and Mr. Smedley, a music teacher and friend of Mario's parents who recognizes Chester's talent for chirping and encourages him to pursue it to unimagined heights . . .

!!Tropes appearing in the novel:

* BittersweetEnding: Chester burns out on New York and returns to his home in Connecticut, leaving the friends he has made behind. But he is stronger and wiser for the experience, and it is suggested Tucker and Harry will visit him from time to time.

* CityMouse: Tucker is one literally, though he doesn't go to the country in-continuity.
* TheCityVsTheCountry: We see through Chester's eyes as he is transported (unwittingly) from his rural home into the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple. Many passages (such as Chester eating a dollar bill mistaken for a leaf) serve to contrast the two settings. Chester grows to appreciate the city for what it is, but ultimately decides to return to his country home.

* HeterosexualLifePartners: Well, platonic at any rate. Tucker and Harry share a drainpipe flat and seem to spend most of their time together.

* PredatorPreyFriendship: Chester is terrified of Harry when he first shows up, assuming the cat will attack its normal prey, Tucker Mouse--but the two turn out to be old friends.

!!Tropes found in the Chuck Jones Short

!!Tropes appearing in this work:

''The Cricket in Times Square'' is a 1960 [[UsefulNotes/NewberyMedal Newbery Honor]]-winning children's novel by George Selden and start of a seven-book series called ''Chester Cricket and His Friends''. It was adapted into an animated short film in 1973, directed by Creator/ChuckJones and starring Creator/MelBlanc as Tucker and Les Tremayne as Chester and Harry. Jones also directed two original sequels -- "Yankee Doodle Cricket" and "A Very Merry Cricket

''The Cricket in Times Square'' is a 1960 [[UsefulNotes/NewberyMedal Newbery Honor]]-winning children's novel by George Selden and start of a seven-book series called ''Chester Cricket and His Friends''. It was adapted into an animated short film in 1973, directed by Creator/ChuckJones and starring Creator/MelBlanc and Les Tremayne.

* LitFic: For a children's novel, it's a surprisingly literary work, full of {{allusion}}s and introspection.

* {{Allusion}}: Mr. Smedley tells Mario and Chester the story of [[Myth/ClassicalMythology Orpheus]], who played so beautifully that all nature would stand still to listen, {{foreshadowing}} the chapter "Orpheus," in which Chester's own playing makes its way up through the grates above the subway and all of Times Square stands still in admiration.

* SerenadeYourLover: The first human song Chester plays reminds Mama Bellini of the songs Papa used to sing to her while he was courting her in Italy.

* EvilMatriarch: Subverted. Mama Bellini wants nothing top do with Chester, calling him a jinx and insisting that Mario throw him out (she even hits Tucker with a magazine), but after the newsstand fire she overhears Chester playing her favorite song . . . and it [[DefrostingIceQueen melts her]].

* ShamelessSelfPromoter: Mr. Smedley sneaks some self-advertisement into his rave review of Chester's playing, mentioning that, P.S. he also teaches piano lessons.

->''"Talent is something rare and beautiful and precious, and it must not be allowed to go to waste"''

''The Cricket in Times Square'' is a 1960 UsefulNotes/NewberyMedal-winning children's novel by George Selden and start of a seven-book series called ''Chester Cricket and His Friends''. It was adapted into an animated short film in 1973, directed by Creator/ChuckJones and starring Creator/MelBlanc and Les Tremayne.

''The Cricket in Times Square'' is a 1960 UsefulNotes/NewberyMedal-winning children's novel by George Selden and start of a seven-book series called ''Chester Cricket and His Friends''. It was adapted into an animated short film in 1973.

[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/cricket_7.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[ProtagonistAndFriends Chester Cricket and his friends.]]]]

[[caption-width-right:350:[[ProtagonistAndFriends Chester Cricket and His Friends]]]]

* IntellectualAnimal: Harry Cat enjoys chamber music and reading periodicals.

* OocIsSeriousBusiness: Mario is shocked to hear Mama Bellini singing and speaking Italian, somthing she only does when she's in an exceptionally good mood.

* AsianSpeekeeEngrish: Mostly averted with Sai Fong, the Chinese store owner who befriends Mario and sells him the cricket cage, though he does have a thick accent (as heard in the aduiobook) and frequently omits articles.

* {{Foil}}: Streetwise businessman Tucker to [[TheIngenue Ingenue]] Chester, laid-back Harry to Type-A Tucker.

Chester is a simple common black cricket living in rural Connecticut, spending his days foraging, chirping, and communing with the nature he loves. But one day he encounters a family out on a picnic, and his fondness for liverwurst gets him more than he bargained for. He falls asleep inside the picnic basket and is transported miles from his home, eventually jostled out and into the dust and unfamiliar noise of the Times Square Subway Station. He soon befriends an eccentric cast of characters who help him acclimate to city life, including Mario Bellini, a young boy struggling to keep his family newsstand afloat; Tucker, a brash and streetwise city mouse; Harry, a laid-back tomcat and Tucker's roommate; and Mr. Smedley, a music teacher and friend of Mario's parents who recognizes Chester's talent for chirping and encourages him to pursue it to unimagined heights . . .

''The Cricket in Times Square'' is a 1960 children's novel by George Selden and winner of a UsefulNotes/NewberyMedal. It was adapted into an animated short film in 1973.