after Chester a cricket arrives in times square subway station 5 picnic basket from his native Connecticut he takes up residence in the balance newsstand. they're the tiny creature is lucky enough to find three good friends a boy named Mario whose parents running successful news Dan a fast talking Broadway mouse named Tucker and his pal Harry the cat throughout their escapades and their ups and downs in New York City together they somehow managed to bring success to an almost bankrupt newsstand . a yearling book