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

Board book: I Love You Honey Bunny

Board book: I Love You, Honey Bunny. Sandra Magsamen. 2013. Scholastic. 14 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: You're sweeter than the sweetest little honeybee. You fill the world with love--you're amazing to me. I love the way you hope, skip, and jump up and down.

Premise/plot: I Love You Honey Bunny is a novelty board book featuring plush bunny ears. The ears might be a big hit for little hands--and little mouths. The text is simple and super-super-super-sweet. "Adorable" comes to mind.

My thoughts: It's a novelty book. It will either appeal--or not. It's not fantastic, wonderful literature. (Nor is it bad literature.) But reading with little ones is super-important no matter the book. Sharing a book--sharing the experience is great for parents and for little ones. And here's the thing--adults don't always get a say in which book will become a FAVORITE, beloved book. Sometimes the books that adults give the least credit to are the ones that become again-again favorites--with seemingly no rhyme or reason. SERIOUSLY THAT BOOK?! And sometimes books that adults love, love, love and buy hoping that it will be a big hit are big duds. I do believe every book has a right reader that will love and adore it.
 

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Poppleton Forever

Poppleton Forever. Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Mark Teague. 1998. 56 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Poppleton planted a new little tree in his yard.

Premise/plot: Poppleton Forever is an early chapter book with three stories. In the first story, Poppleton is puzzled by how to take care of his tree. What does it NEED? Each of his friends have a suggestion, but not all suggestions are of equal value! In the second story, Poppleton has a cold. His llama friend, Cherry Sue, tries her best to help. But are her solutions worth the trouble?! In the third story, Poppleton decides to hang some wallpaper. Which of his friends should help?!?!

My thoughts: I enjoyed this collection of stories starring Poppleton and friends. I did. But my absolute favorite story was the third one, "Wallpaper." It was a HOOT. If you enjoy funny stories, it really is a must read.

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Poppleton Everyday

Poppleton Everyday. Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Mark Teague. 1998. 56 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Poppleton's friend Hudson was visiting one night.

Premise/plot: Poppleton Everyday is an early chapter book with three stories. In the first story, Poppleton and his friend (his mouse friend) go stargazing. In the second story, Poppleton goes shopping for a NEW bed. (How will he know which bed is the right bed?!) In the third story, Poppleton is talked into going sailing by a friend.

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one! Poppleton continues to delight. I can't believe I'm only now discovering this gem of a character. My favorite story in this one is "The New Bed."

He lay on his back. He lay on his side. He lay with one leg over the edge. He lay with both legs over the edge. He lay on his head with his bottom in the air. "How many different ways do you sleep?" asked the saleslady. "About twenty," said Poppleton.
"Do you have any books?" he asked.
The saleslady brought Poppleton a book. Poppleton propped up some pillows and read a few pages. The saleslady looked at her watch. "Do you want to buy the bed?" she asked Poppleton.

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 10 out of 10


© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Bonjour, Mr. Satie

Bonjour, Mr. Satie. Tomie dePaola. 1991. 32 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: Ever since the postcard arrived from Paris, Rosalie and Conrad had been waiting for the arrival of their uncle--Mr. Satie, world traveler--and his companion, Ffortusque Ffollet, Esq. Every day they asked Mama and Papa when they would arrive.

Premise/plot: Rosalie and Conrad are happy to welcome Mr. Satie--and guest--into their home. Mr. Satie arrives and has a wonderful story to tell about recent goings-on in Paris. Mr. Satie was at a gathering of friends--of artists--and he was able to help make peace between two factions. One group LOVED Henri's new style of painting and thought it was the BEST. The other group loved Pablo's new style of painting and thought it was the BEST. It wasn't only that one "needed" to be better than the other. No, each group HATED the other style and thought it the WORST--that it wasn't even worthy of being called art. Can Mr. Satie help maintain the peace--not just for one night--but for good?!

My thoughts: I found the book to be odd. Not necessarily odd in a bad way. Mr. Satie and his family are cats. His friend, his guest, is a mouse. That's not the weird part. I almost expected the whole cast of the picture book to be one or the other or even both. Animals in place of people. But, no, Pablo, Henri, and all the artistic crowds in Paris are people. So it isn't strictly animal fantasy OR historical/realistic. The story itself was okay. I found it interesting. If you're looking for an 'art-appreciation' book to share with little ones, this one is worth considering.

Text: 3 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 6 out of 10

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers