Mr. Putter & Tabby Write the Book

Mr. Putter and Tabby Write the Book. (Mr. Putter and Tabby #13) Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 2004. 44 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: In the winter a big snow always came to Mr. Putter's house.

Premise/plot: In this early chapter book, Mr. Putter has an idea. At first it seems straightforward and simple. He wants to write a book: a mystery novel.

First he had to think of a title. He thought and thought and thought. Finally he told Tabby, "I shall call my book The Mystery of Lighthouse Cove." It was a very good title. It was full of mystery. As a boy he had read lots of books with titles like that.

He's so excited that he thought of a title that he celebrates by fixing a snack...and then taking a nap. Will Mr. Putter write a book?

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one very much. Sometimes the book you think you want to write isn't the book you need to write. I thought this one was funny and charming.

The third day that he was a mystery writer, Mr. Putter woke up ready to write again. He liked being a writer ready to write. First he and Tabby had cinnamon toast and tea. Then Mr. Putter petted Tabby and began to think. He looked out of his window, thinking. He looked at his fire, thinking. He looked at Tabby, thinking. 

I think everyone should write a book like Mr. Putter does. (It is NOT a mystery novel, but a list of good things that he's blessed with and thankful for.)

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers