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Summary
Summary
Harry Cat loves the theater. One night he jumps in and lands a part in a big Broadway play. But now Tucker Mouse is home alone and misses him terribly. How will Harry find time for his friend Tucker?
Author Notes
George Selden Thompson was born in Hartford, Connecticut on May 14, 1929. He graduated from Yale University in 1951 and studied in Rome for a year on a Fulbright Scholarship. During his lifetime, he wrote more than 15 children's books and 2 plays under the name George Selden. His first book, The Cricket in Times Square, was published in 1960. It won a John Newbery Medal in 1961 and was made into an animated film in 1973. His other works include Tucker's Countryside, The Old Meadow, and Harry Kitten and Tucker Mouse. He died from complications from a gastrointestinal hemorrhage on December 5, 1989 at the age of 60.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (1)
School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-First published in 1966, and featuring the original art, The Little Brute Family can now be enjoyed as a newly formatted book for beginning readers. The Brutes are scruffy, grumbling creatures similar to trolls. They snarl and grimace when they eat and avoid pleasantries such as "Please" or "Thank you." They never laugh or smile. One day Baby Brute finds a lost good feeling in a field of daisies. He puts it in his pocket and shares it with his family. The good feeling becomes so much a part of their lives that they rename themselves the Nice Family. Next, Harry Cat and Tucker Mouse, favorite characters from George Selden's A Cricket in Times Square (Farrar, 1961), enjoy their days together. In the evenings, Harry Cat likes to go to the theater while Tucker Mouse prefers to stay in the drain pipe they call home. When the feline is offered a part in a Broadway play, he has little time for Tucker, who tells his friend how much he is missed. Tucker attends one of his performances and realizes that Harry has become a star, and he accepts the reality that their friendship is doomed. However, Harry forgoes the limelight, deciding to spend his time with his old pal. The Ivanovs' artwork is in the style of Garth Williams, illustrator of the original story. Large, bold, and vibrant ink and watercolor images grace each page. New readers will enjoy this introduction to the classic tale and be touched by the lesson about the importance of friendship. Both books are worthy additions to beginning-reader collections.-Diane Antezzo, Ridgefield Library, CT (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Excerpts
Excerpts
Harry Cat and Tucker Mouse: Starring Harry Harry Cat and Tucker Mouse were best friends. They lived in a cozy drainpipe in the Times Square subway station. Every day, Harry and Tucker had breakfast together. Then they took a walk and watched the crowds. Every night, Tucker liked to stay home. Harry always went out. He loved the theater. One night, Harry saw a brand-new play. People onstage talked and talked Harry was bored. He looked at the crowd. They seemed bored too. Just then, someone walked onto the stage. She was carrying a big fish. Harry didn't stop to think. He jumped! Harry grabbed the fish and ran off the stage. The crowd began to laugh. And clap. And stand and cheer. "Can you do this every night?" asked the man in charge. Harry purred. He was saying yes. Harry ran home to tell Tucker. "Harry, that's wonderful!" said Tucker, yawning. "Let's talk about it in the morning." But Harry slept late the next morning. He was tired from his new job. So Tucker had breakfast alone. When Harry finally woke up, he said, "I'm glad you ate. You shouldn't wait to have breakfast with me anymore. I may be tired a lot now." Harry was tired a lot. He slept later and later every day. Tucker was alone more and more every day. He took walks by himself. He watched the crowds by himself. It wasn't much fun without Harry. One day, Tucker couldn't stand it any longer. He shouted, "Harry, I never see you anymore!" "I know," Harry said. "I miss you too. Please come to the theater tonight. At least you can see me onstage!" "That's not what I mean," said Tucker. "You know I like to stay home at night." Harry looked sad. "Oh, all right," said Tucker. "I'll come." "Thank you," said Harry. That night, Tucker went to Harry's play. Tucker saw that Harry was the best part of the whole show. After the play, Tucker watched everyone crowd around Harry. They praised him and patted his head. Tucker couldn't get anywhere near him. Tucker walked home alone. He was happy for Harry, but he was sad for himself. "Harry is a star now," he said. "I have to let him go." Tucker tried not to cry. When Tucker got home, Harry was already there! "Why so sad?" Harry asked. "Harry!" cried Tucker "Why are you here? I thought you wanted to be with your fans." "I'd rather be with you," said Harry. "Really?" asked Tucker. "Really," said Harry. "I quit the play tonight." "Why?" asked Tucker. "They can find another cat. I missed my best friend," said Harry. "Me?" asked Tucker. "You," said Harry. Then Harry yawned. "Let's talk about it more in the morning," he said. Tucker yawned too. "Harry," he said, "you'll always be a star to me." Text copyright (c) 2011 by Thea Feldman. Excerpted from Harry Cat and Tucker Mouse: Starring Harry by Thea Feldman, George Selden All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
