George Selden (1929-1989) was the author of The Cricket in Times Square, winner of the 1961 Newbery Honor and a timeless children’s classic. People often asked Selden how he got the idea for The Cricket in Times Square. One night I was coming home on the subway, and I did hear a cricket chirp in the Times Square subway station. The story formed in my mind within minutes. The popular Cricket series grew to seven titles, including Tucker’s Countryside and The Old Meadow.
Garth Williams (1912-1996) illustrated all seven of the Chester Cricket books and many other distinguished works, including Stuart Little, Charlotte’s Web, and the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Stacey Lee is an award-winning and New York Times-bestselling author of historical and contemporary young adult fiction. Her books have been selected for the Amelia Bloomer list for feminist fiction, the as well as the YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults List, and the New York Public Library’s Best Books for Teens. A native of southern California and fourth-generation Chinese American, she is a founder of the We Need Diverse Books movement and writes stories for all kids (even the ones who look like adults). Find her @staceyleeauthor on Instagram and Twitter.