Two fall stories - a chapter book and a picture book and one more picture book

The Cricket in Times Square by George Seldon

This delightful story has brought pleasure to many for 50 years.  First published in 1960, this story about Chester Cricket, Harry the cat, and Tucker the mouse is a great family read aloud.  Chester arrives in New York City in the basket of some picnickers and ends up in Times Square where Mario finds him and buys a cricket cage for him.  Mario keeps Chester in his family's newsstand.  The news stand is not doing well.  Even though at first Mario's mother is not happy to have a cricket in the stand (Chester inadvertently eats a dollar bill), he wins the hearts of the adult Bellinis with his talent for music.  Chester can chirp opera and other music he has heard.  His talent helps the Bellinis to make the make their newsstand more successful.  I won't give anymore of this delightful story away.

Illustrated by Garth Williams

Family reading: 7 yrs old and up
Classroom reading: Grades 4 and 5


Applebet, an ABC  by Clyde Watson illustrated by Wendy Watson

"A is for apple as everyone knows.  Can you follow this one whereever it goes?"
The story follows Bet and her mother as they bring their crop of apples to sell at the market.  The author introduces words in alphabetic sequence,
"Soft C is for Cider made first thing today
We'll keep a jug handy to drink on the way
CH is for Cherry, the little red mare
Giddy-up, Cherry - we're off to the fair!"


I really enjoyed the relationship between mom and daughter.  It's so positive and warm.  The illustrations by Wendy, Clyde's sister, are a perfect fit and add just the right touch to make this a book you and your children will enjoy many times.

Family reading: 2 yrs old and up
Classroom reading: Kindergarten, Grade 1 and 2

This sister team has collaborated on other books.  My other favourite book of theirs is Father Fox's Pennyrhymes.

I read this book to my children so many times, that I can still recite it from start to finish.

"Dilly, Dilly, Piccalilli
Tell me something very silly:
There was a chap his name was Bert
He ate the buttons off his shirt."

"Let the fall rains fall

And the cold snow snow

And the rain rain rain 'til April:

Our coats are warm

And the pantry's full

And there's cake upon the table."

Family reading: 2 yrs old and up
Classroom reading: Kindergarten, Grade 1 and 2