Mr. Putter and Tabby See The Stars

Mr. Putter and Tabby See The Stars (#16) Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 2007. 44 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Mr. Putter and his fine cat, Tabby, loved to sleep. They could sleep anywhere. They slept in chairs, in swings, in cars, in tubs, and sometimes in the laundry room. Mr. Putter and Tabby also slept in a bed. Of course, most of the time, sleeping in a bed was just fine. Mr. Putter plumped his pillows. Tabby squished hers. And then they slept like logs. But one night, one of the logs could not sleep.

Premise/plot: Mr. Putter is finding it absolutely IMPOSSIBLE to sleep. Why is he struggling to sleep?! Perhaps because he had WAY too many jelly rolls at Mrs. Teaberry's house. How many is too many?! Well, I think we can one and all agree that TWENTY-ONE pineapple jelly rolls are too many for any person to consume at a time!!!!!

Knowing that he can't sleep, Mr. Putter decides to go for a walk outside--with his cat, Tabby--to enjoy the stars. Maybe his stomach will settle after a little exercise!

My thoughts: I LOVE these characters so much!!!! This early chapter series is the best of the best! This neighborhood stroll is just LOVELY.


© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mr. Putter Makes a Wish

Mr. Putter & Tabby Make a Wish (Mr. Putter & Tabby #14). Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 2005. HMH. 44 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It was a beautiful morning. Mr. Putter and his fine cat, Tabby, were eating raisin crumpets and apple jam and reading the morning paper. Mr. Putter looked at the date of the paper: October 2. "Good heavens, Tabby!" said Mr. Putter. "It's my birthday!"

Premise/plot: It is Mr. Putter's birthday. At first he tries to be practical and sensible. He is much too old to want to CELEBRATE his birthday. He's "too old" for balloons and cakes and presents. Isn't he? But the more he thinks about birthdays gone by, the more he wants to celebrate THIS ONE. Perhaps a little celebratory tea with his neighbor Mrs. Teaberry would be just the thing...

My thoughts: I love, love, love Mr. Putter and Tabby. In this one, readers get another chance to glimpse a YOUNG Mr. Putter--with his adorable red hair. Readers also get to see Mr. Putter struggling with waiting patiently. I think everyone can relate to that! Mr. Putter has to wait and wait and wait and wait for Mrs. Teaberry to come over. Though readers might suspect that she's busy planning something special for his birthday, something that takes TIME.

This one was a JOY to read.


© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mr. Putter and Tabby Turn the Page

Mr. Putter and Tabby Turn the Page. (Mr. Putter & Tabby #23). Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 2014. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

 First sentence: Mr. Putter and his fine cat, Tabby, loved quiet time. They loved quiet baths. They loved quiet naps. They loved quiet thinking. Mr. Putter and Tabby spent their favorite quiet times reading. Mr. Putter loved to read, but he did not like to read alone. He liked having someone to read to. And Tabby was the someone.

Premise/plot: Reading has always been a quiet activity that is until Mr. Putter spots a sign at the library: Read aloud with your pet at story time. He signs up! He also tells his neighbor, Mrs. Teaberry, about the event at the library. What story will Mr. Putter (and Tabby) choose to read to children? What story will Mrs. Teaberry (and Zeke) choose to read to children?

My thoughts: I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this one. Mr. Putter and Tabby are two of my favorite, favorite characters. They are relatively new acquaintances of mine. But I know we are kindred spirits at heart. The writing is DELIGHTFUL.

Mr. Putter thought and thought about what story to read aloud at the library. He thought about cowboys and he thought about rabbits. He did not think about gardens. Gardens were not adventures to most people. Gardens were an adventure to Tabby, but that is because Tabby knew how to make them exciting. 

But a big part of the satisfaction--the delight, the joy--comes from the illustrations. Some of my favorite illustrations in this one include: Tabby sitting on Mr. Putter's feet as he is reading; Tabby sitting on Mr. Putter's head as he is reading; Mrs. Teaberry's celebrating "new" with her band 'The Zeekers' and a plate full of cauliflower cookies; Mrs. Teaberry's library hat.


© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mr. Putter and Tabby Dance the Dance

Mr. Putter and Tabby Dance the Dance. (Mr. Putter and Tabby #21) Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 2012. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Mr. Putter and his fine cat, Tabby, liked living next door to Mrs. Teaberry and her good dog, Zeke. They all had a lot of things in common. They all liked the Sunday funnies. They all liked cheese toasties. They all liked rain. Mrs. Teaberry was good at finding new things for them to like. Sometimes the new things worked. Sometimes they didn't.

Premise/plot: Mrs. Teaberry wants Mr. Putter to go ballroom dancing with her in this one! Of course who wouldn't take their dog and cat along to go dancing?!?! Will Tabby, Zeke, Mr. Putter and Mrs. Teaberry have a great time on the dance floor?!

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. It was great fun, very delightful. The text is wonderful. Rylant is truly gifted when it comes to crafting words into stories.

"Just try it," said Mrs. Teaberry. "What have you got to lose?"
Mr. Putter could think of a lot of things he had to lose. Like his dignity. And his nap time. 

and

They told Tabby and Zeke to stay. One of them was good at staying. One of them was not. 

But the illustrations also do their job. I really LOVED seeing Mr. Putter and Tabby try rollerskating! This one was just a JOY to read.




© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mr. Putter and Tabby Ring the Bell

Mr. Putter and Tabby Ring the Bell. (Mr. Putter and Tabby #20) Cynthia Rylant. 2011. 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It was fall. Mr. Putter and his fine cat, Tabby, loved fall.

Premise/plot: Mr. Putter grows nostalgic for school in this one. Will his friend, Mrs. Teaberry think of a way for the two to return to school?!

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I would have enjoyed it more if the pages hadn't been stuck together with something. Part of me shudders to think what could have made these pages so sticky. But that is part of reading library books.

This one includes a quick flash of Mr. Putter as a boy. I liked that. I like seeing his red hair and glasses. I like that he wore plaid even as a boy.

There is plenty in this one to bring a smile. I would definitely recommend this one and the series as a whole. 

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mr. Putter and Tabby Clear the Deck

Mr. Putter and Tabby Clear the Decks (Mr. Putter and Tabby #19) Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 2010. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 44 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It was summer, and Mr. Putter and his fine cat, Tabby, were itchy. They were not itchy because of fleas. There was never a flea in Mr. Putter's house! They were itchy because they were bored.

Premise/plot: Mr. Putter and Tabby need some excitement in their lives to cheer up a dull summer day. Will his neighbor, Mrs. Teaberry, and her dog, Zeke, provide the boost of adventure and excitement they need?! What bright idea will she have this time around? This time around the answer is a BOAT RIDE on a sight-seeing boat. Will the four friends have a great day or a disastrous one?

My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed this one. I wouldn't say it's the absolute best in the series. But the series is such that there really isn't a disappointing one in the series. It's a GREAT series with great characters.

The sightseeing boat was named The Olden Days. Mr. Putter liked it right away because he and Tabby were both old. They liked being old. Mr. Putter was glad the boat was not named The Young and Zippy Days. Those were long behind him.

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mr. Putter and Tabby Spill The Beans

Mr. Putter and Tabby Spill the Beans (Mr. Putter and Tabby #18) Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 2009. 44 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Mr. Putter and his fine cat, Tabby, lived next door to Mrs. Teaberry and her good dog, Zeke. They were all good friends and neighbors. They liked doing things together. They took long walks. They had tea. And sometimes they tried new things. The new things sometimes worked out. And sometimes they didn't.

Premise/plot: The NEW thing in Mr. Putter and Tabby Spill the Beans is a cooking class. It is Mrs. Teaberry's idea. The cooking class is ONE HUNDRED DIFFERENT WAYS TO COOK BEANS. Mr. Putter doesn't want to know more than one way, and that might be stretching the truth. What he wants is an ice cream soda. The adventure really only happens because they bring Tabby and Zeke with them to class...

My thoughts: Mr. Putter and Mrs. Teaberry are DELIGHTFUL characters. I love them both. I'm so glad they're such good friends and neighbors. I also really LOVE their pets Zeke and Tabby. They can always be counted on for a good laugh. There is JOY to be had in this early chapter book series by Cynthia Rylant.


© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mr. Putter and Tabby Spin the Yarn

Mr. Putter and Tabby Spin the Yarn. (Mr. Putter and Tabby #15) Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 2006. 44 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence:  Mr. Putter and his fine cat, Tabby, lived next door to Mrs. Teaberry and her good dog, Zeke. Mr. Putter liked Mrs. Teaberry. She was a good neighbor. She made chocolate crunchies and shared with him.

Premise/plot: In this early chapter book, Mr. Putter fears he isn't a good neighbor. In the first chapter, he muses: "All I do is eat Mrs. Teaberry's food," Mr. Putter told Tabby one day. "I should do something nice for her." That something nice he decides to do is to serve the ladies of her knitting club tea. In the second chapter, Mr. Putter and Tabby arrive at the club meeting. It doesn't quite go according to plan. Tabby sees all that yarn--and, well, it takes Mr. Putter's quick thinking to prevent a problem. But Tabby isn't the only potential trouble-maker. Remember Zeke is only a good dog sometimes. Will the club meeting go well?!?!

My thoughts: I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this one. I typically enjoy the series. The fourth chapter in the book, "One Less Potato" has to be one of the most entertaining chapters in chapter book history.


© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mr. Putter and Tabby Take The Train

Mr. Putter and Tabby Take the Train. (Mr. Putter & Tabby #8) Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 1998. HMH. 44 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: One day Mr. Putter and his fine cat, Tabby, were cooking oatmeal when Mrs. Teaberry called. Mrs. Teaberry was Mr. Putter's friend and neighbor. "I have an idea!" she told Mr. Putter.

Premise/plot: At first Mr. Putter is nervous to hear Mrs. Teaberry's latest idea, after all, not all her ideas are good ones--in his opinion. But her newest idea is a good idea, she wants them all to take a train ride. Will Mr. Putter, Mrs. Teaberry, Zeke and Tabby enjoy a train ride together? Or will a no pets allowed rule spoil their plans?

My thoughts: There were elements in this one I just loved. For example, I loved, loved, LOVED the flashback to when Mr. Putter was a little boy. He was CUTE. And I loved Mr. Putter's honesty. "Mr. Putter was not sure he wanted to hear Mrs. Teaberry's idea. Sometimes her ideas were odd and involved running fast, or wearing feathers, or having purple toes." But I didn't quite love this one as much as previous titles in the series.

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mr. Putter and Tabby Toot the Horn

Mr. Putter and Tabby Toot The Horn. (Mr. Putter & Tabby #7) Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 1998. 44 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Mr. Putter and his fine cat, Tabby, were neighbors to Mrs. Teaberry and her good dog, Zeke. Mrs. Teaberry and Mr. Putter had a lot in common. They both liked bingo. They both liked free samples. They both liked rain. And they both liked music.

Premise/plot: One day Mrs. Teaberry decides that they both need to join a band. Her reasoning is simple: "Old people can do anything they want." He tries to get out of it by countering with this argument: "Can they say they can't play an instrument?!" She shuts him down--fast. Try, he must. This chapter book is about them both trying something new.

My thoughts: I loved this one. It was a super-fun addition to the series. Mr. Putter is NOT a good tooter. And that is okay. He tried--and that is something worth celebrating with a treat. The writing continues to delight me. Here is one of my favorite paragraphs:

Mrs. Teaberry liked country music the best. She liked the broken hearts. She liked the big silver boots and the tall hair. Mr. Putter liked opera. He also liked broken hearts. And he liked the big round heroes and the violins. Some days Mrs. Teaberry would play her country music very loud for Mr. Putter to hear. Some days Mr. Putter would play his opera very loud for Mrs. Teaberry to hear. They liked sharing. 

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mr. Putter & Tabby Row the Boat

Mr. Putter and the Tabby Row the Boat. (Mr. Putter and Tabby #6) Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 1997. HMH. 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It was summer and the weather was very hot. Mr. Putter and his fine cat, Tabby, lay around all day and sweated. They sweated on the front porch. They sweated in the kitchen. They sweated under the oak tree. They even tried the basement, but they sweated there, too.

Premise/plot: How can Mr. Putter and Tabby cool off on this hot summer day? The title reveals it all, doesn't it?! Mr. Putter decides to ask Mrs. Teaberry and Zeke (her dog) to go with him and Tabby to the big pond. Once there, they rent a row boat and their adventure begins. But will it work?

My thoughts: I am just loving this series. The narrative is great. Rylant does a great job--in terms of both characterization AND storytelling. There is nothing dull about this chapter book series. The illustrations by Howard are equally expressive. I love seeing Tabby's various expressions throughout the book!

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mr. Putter and Tabby Fly the Plane

Mr. Putter and Tabby Fly the Plane. (Mr. Putter and Tabby #5) Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 1997. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 44 pages. [Source: Library]

 First sentence: Mr. Putter loved toys. He was old, and he knew that he wasn't supposed to love toys anymore. But he did. When Mr. Putter and his fine cat, Tabby, drove into town, they always stopped at the toy store.

Premise/plot: Mr. Putter LOVES toys. Tabby doesn't love toys--especially toys that do something. But she loves Mr. Putter. This chapter book is about when Mr. Putter buys a radio control airplane.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I love Mr. Putter. I really love Tabby. My favorite part was when Mr. Putter decided to give away his new plane to a little boy--a shy boy, a clumsy boy--who reminded him of himself. The writing continues to impress.

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mr. Putter and Tabby Bake the Cake

Mr. Putter and Tabby Bake the Cake. (Mr. Putter & Tabby #3) Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 1994. 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It was wintertime. Mr. Putter and his fine cat, Tabby, sat at their window every night to watch the snow come down.

Premise/plot: Mr. Putter and Tabby Bake the Cake is the third book in the early chapter series by Cynthia Rylant. In the first chapter, readers learn that Mr. Putter and Tabby LOVE Christmas. They love giving Christmas presents. But Mr. Putter isn't sure what to give his neighbor, Mrs. Teaberry, for Christmas. She loves fruitcake. Mr. Putter doesn't understand why a person would love fruitcake, would even like fruitcake. Cakes should not be able to break your toes. He decides he will bake her a cake for Christmas. In the second chapter, readers learn of all the obstacles standing in the way. "The cake was not a cinch. In the first place, Mr. Putter did not know how to bake a cake. He could bake instant muffins. He could bake instant popovers. But he had never baked a cake. He didn't know how. In the second place, Mr. Putter had no pans. He had muffin pans. He had popover pans. But he had no cake pans. If he baked a cake, it would have to be in a shoe. Or maybe in a flowerpot. Or even in a hat." The third obstacle: no cookbook. In the third chapter, Mr. Putter finds a solution to his problem. He will learn to bake a cake from Mary Sue. Mary Sue doesn't entirely seem trustworthy. She sells him $100 worth of STUFF though. "She sold Mr. Putter seven bowls. She sold Mr. Putter three sifters. She sold Mr. Putter ten spoons, five cups, two spatulas, a roll of waxed paper, and a Christmas tree pan. Then she sold him an Easy Baker cookbook and sent him out the door. Mr. Putter had spent one hundred dollars. And he still didn't have any flour." In the fourth and final chapter, Mr. Putter and Tabby get ready to bake. Will the cake turn out light and airy? Will Mrs. Teaberry enjoy the cake? Will this be a happy Christmas?

My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed this one. It was FUN. It was MERRY. I am continuing to love this series. The writing is just delightful. Rylant knows how to craft an entertaining story. There is a lot of characterization packed in as well--a lot of showing and not telling.
© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mr. Putter and Tabby Walk the Dog

Mr. Putter and Tabby Walk the Dog (Mr. Putter & Tabby #2). Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 1994. 44 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Mr. Putter and his fine cat, Tabby, lived next door to Mrs. Teaberry and her small dog, Zeke.

Premise/plot: Mr. Putter & Tabby Walk the Dog is the second book in the early chapter series by Cynthia Rylant. In the first chapter, Mr. Putter decides to help a neighbor for a week when she becomes unable to walk her dog. Mrs. Teaberry assures him that Zeke is a DREAM dog who never tugs, who never wraps around trees, who never chases other dogs. The second chapter opens with this sentence, "Zeke was a nightmare." The chapter chronicles the first three days. Zeke misbehaves; Mr. Putter and Tabby return EXHAUSTED and in need of treats. The first day: "When Mr. Putter and Tabby got home, they had to have some warm milk and pudding and a nap." The second day: "When Mr. Putter and Tabby got home, they had to have some warm milk and popovers and a nap." The third day: "When Mr. Putter and Tabby got home, they had to have some warm milk and shortbread and a nap." The third chapter chronicles the last four days; Mr. Putter and Tabby decide to approach walking the dog differently. They've resorted to bribery. Will Zeke be a dream dog if he's rewarded for good behavior?!

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. The writing was excellent. I loved the narrative style. Rylant is a great storyteller. I would definitely recommend this series. And treat yourself by beginning at the beginning.

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea

Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea (Mr. Putter & Tabby #1) Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 1994. 44 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Before he got his fine cat, Tabby, Mr. Putter lived all alone.

Premise/plot: Mr. Putter & Tabby Pour the Tea is the first book in the Mr. Putter & Tabby early chapter series by Cynthia Rylant. In the first chapter, readers meet Mr. Putter. "He had warm muffins to eat. He had good tea to pour. And he had wonderful stories to tell. Mr. Putter was tired of living alone. Mr. Putter wanted a cat." In the second chapter, readers meet Tabby. Tabby is not a kitten; she is an old cat. "The shelter man brought Mr. Putter the old yellow cat. Its bones creaked, its fur was thinning, and it seemed a little deaf. Mr. Putter creaked, his hair was thinning, and he was a little deaf, too." In the third chapter, readers see these two living together happily. "After a while it seemed as if they had always lived together. Tabby knew just what Mr. Putter was going to do next. Mr. Putter knew just where Tabby was going to sleep next. In the mornings each looked for the other as soon as they opened their eyes. And at night each looked for the other as their eyes were closing. Mr. Putter could not imagine life without Tabby." It has a PERFECT ending.

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this one. I had read a few books in this series--those published the past few years--but never went back to the series beginning. It is a WONDERFUL book.
© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers