Published in 1960, The Cricket in Times Square is a children's book that tells the story of a cricket from Connecticut who accidentally comes to New York City after getting stuck on a commuter train. It was written by George Selden and illustrated by Garth Williams, and it won the Newbury Honor in 1961. The book is Selden's most famous work.
Selden said he was inspired to write this book after hearing a cricket chirp in Times Square, something that does not happen very often. In stories like these, Selden intended to blend commonplace, everyday things (like crickets and subways) with more fantastical elements (like talking, thinking animals).
The Cricket in Times Square has six sequels that also follow the stories of its primary characters, Chester Cricket, Tucker Mouse, and Harry the Cat. The publisher Macmillan released three more books about these characters as well, though these were written by Thea Feldman rather than George Selden.
In 1973, The Cricket in Times Square was adapted into a short animated film by Chuck Jones, followed by two animated sequels, A Very Merry Cricket and Yankee Doodle Cricket.
