Scan barcode
lingualibri's review against another edition
4.0
It was really nice to read a children's book in the midst of Game of Thrones and Stephen King. My coworkers saw me reading it and became very excited, telling me how much they loved this book when they were younger. They were surprised to hear that this was my first time reading it. Now that I've finished it, I'm awfully sad that I didn't read it then, too. I bet this book would've been amazing when I was 10 years old. If I enjoyed it thoroughly as an adult, I can only imagine how magical this book would've been to my child self. I come from a family of music lovers, so naturally, I thought this story was rather precious.
littlelifewrecker's review against another edition
4.0
I am so sad that I never read this as a kid. Such a sweet and endearing story made all the more with the great narration by such a babe!
stacynalley's review against another edition
4.0
This is a sweet book. Yes, there are dated stereotypes that don't bode well for the author AND don't hold up over time, but if you are able to get past that, then it is a cute story.
I think it just needs to be edited for today.
The author was a bit careless in his stereotyping of Chinese culture and referenced kimonos twice. This just drove me batty. Kimonos are Japanese, not Chinese. Also, spelled cooky instead of cookie.
Anyway, it is a quick read, a cute story, sweet and I don't have to think too much about it, so it gets a 4.
I think it just needs to be edited for today.
The author was a bit careless in his stereotyping of Chinese culture and referenced kimonos twice. This just drove me batty. Kimonos are Japanese, not Chinese. Also, spelled cooky instead of cookie.
Anyway, it is a quick read, a cute story, sweet and I don't have to think too much about it, so it gets a 4.
wardo2700's review against another edition
4.0
Despite my usual lack of interest in animal stories I really enjoyed this one! I think it was the author's excellent personification of the animal characters that made the story more enjoyable. I liked the use of classical music as the main device of how the cricket attracted so much attention. I might have to read the sequel to find out what happens next to the unusual animal family. I'd recommend this book to any reader 6 years and older especially those that enjoy animal stories.
ra042312's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
lillygabriella's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
This would have rated higher if there were not those blatantly racist, super cringy parts, where the author fails to even properly caricature Chinese people. The man had obviously been in the states for decades, if not his whole life, so he should have been speaking something besides bad pigin JAPANESE stereotype English. All the Rs were replaced with Ls, SMDH.
The parts with just the animals were sweet and cute. And that's why I gave it three stars.
The parts with just the animals were sweet and cute. And that's why I gave it three stars.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
rliu793's review against another edition
5.0
If I remember correctly, this was one of the first books I picked up from the bookstore after my first-grade teacher told my parents they should encourage me to branch out from Junie B. books, lol. I didn't remember much about it at all from my initial read since it was so long ago, but it has the cutest cover and I'd been wanting to reread it since a few trips home ago — finally got around to it now!
I would still probably be pretty grossed out by a real-life mouse or cricket running loose in my room, but for the purposes of this children's book, the author managed to get me to root for them both as Mario's mother sought to get rid of them (though usually, I would've sided with Mama Bellini). The illustrations throughout as well as the friendship that blossomed between Chester the cricket, Tucker Mouse, and Harry Cat were both really wholesome and adorable, making this short book a joy to read.
This may well be the first book I've voluntarily reread, and I (predictably) found deep ideas woven into it that I (understandably) didn't yet have the life experience to take note of, understand or relate to as an early elementary schooler. For example, All that to say, I finally took my fourth-grade teacher's advice to our class to reread books for the benefits of seeing passages in a new light with the knowledge and experiences we've gained over time (in case it wasn't clear already, I'm in a bit of a nostalgic mood xP)!
Anyways, this would be a great read for anyone who likes animals, music, and/or city vibes (the book is set in the NYC Times Square subway station and surrounding areas). And honestly anyone who feels they could use some change (slowing) of pace amid the busyness of everyday life~
I would still probably be pretty grossed out by a real-life mouse or cricket running loose in my room, but for the purposes of this children's book, the author managed to get me to root for them both as Mario's mother sought to get rid of them (though usually, I would've sided with Mama Bellini). The illustrations throughout as well as the friendship that blossomed between Chester the cricket, Tucker Mouse, and Harry Cat were both really wholesome and adorable, making this short book a joy to read.
This may well be the first book I've voluntarily reread, and I (predictably) found deep ideas woven into it that I (understandably) didn't yet have the life experience to take note of, understand or relate to as an early elementary schooler. For example,
Spoiler
upon reaching celebrity status for his hidden musical talent, Chester reflects, "For one thing, although he thought that glory was very nice, Chester found that it made you tired. Two concerts a day, every day, was an exhausting program... Back home in the meadow, if the sun felt nice, or the moon was full, or if he wanted to have a musical conversation with his friend the lark, he would chirp because the mood was on him... Of course he was very glad to be helping the Bellinis, but a lot of the joy was gone from his playing" (112). Although neither my brother nor I ever reached celebrity status for soccer, we've recently been discussing how we'd both grown tired of it as we were pressured into increasingly competitive levels of play (and in my case at least, wanted to instead have the freedom to just play pickup when I wanted). I'm sure the same general concept applies to many other areas of life too, ha.Anyways, this would be a great read for anyone who likes animals, music, and/or city vibes (the book is set in the NYC Times Square subway station and surrounding areas). And honestly anyone who feels they could use some change (slowing) of pace amid the busyness of everyday life~
jenietiny's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75