Mr. Putter Returns to School in Mr. Putter and Tabby Ring the Bell

I grew up with many great easy reader series, but one of my very favorites is one I didn’t discover until I was an adult. That’s the Mr. Putter and Tabby series by Cynthia Rylant and Arthur Howard. This September saw the release of its 20th installment, and no first-grader could be more delighted than I was to see that it was time for a new tale featuring the lovable bachelor and his creaky cat, along with his sweet-natured neighbor and her affable bulldog.

Like me, Mr. Putter is very in tune with his inner child, and in Mr. Putter and Tabby Ring the Bell, the arrival of autumn weather and the ringing of a nearby school bell make him nostalgic for the classroom. Usually, it’s the more adventurous Mrs. Teaberry who comes up with an idea and gets mild-mannered Mr. Putter to go along with it, but this time out, he convinces her to go back to school for the day with him.

The cover illustration is a bit misleading, as it shows Mr. Putter sitting in a child’s desk, raising his hand. In the story, he does not actually settle in like a student for the day. Instead, he and his good friend bring Tabby and Zeke in for show and tell. But the kids want to see tricks. Can they coax some unusual antics out of a cat who is always napping and an overeating dog?

As with the previous installments of this adorable series, the four main characters spring to life despite the minimalist writing style. Rylant selects each word carefully, using it to maximum effect. For instance, her choice of “crispy” to describe fall carries with it all sorts of connotations, from dry leaves that crackle underfoot to tasty desserts made with crumbly oatmeal topping. A little later on, Rylant describes Zeke as “showy,” which provides a natural segue into Mr. Putter’s show and tell idea.

Howard’s illustrations are wonderful, expressive and loaded with little details. For instance, I love that when the visitors arrive in the classroom, the sheets of paper on the children’s desks read “dog” and “cat,” showing that their teacher has oriented a lesson around these special guests. The outdoor pictures of Mr. Putter are charming, with leaves blowing all around him and his scarf whipping in the wind. This book is also one of several in the series to include a picture that flashes back to his childhood. Here, we witness his love of geography as he tenderly gazes at a globe, one of the objects he most readily associates with school.

This book includes six sections, the shortest of which is just four pages long. The longest section is also the only one that deals directly with the classroom visit. The previous four chapters provide build-up, while the final one provides a nice denouement. It’s not unusual for books in this series to focus more on preparation for a particular event than on the event itself, and since the heightened anticipation makes what happens in the classroom even funnier, I don’t see it as a pacing problem. These stories tend to putter along just like their main character, and that just adds to the gentle fun.

By mid-September, many students are already grumbling about being back in school, but through the enthusiastic eyes of one of my favorite kidlit characters, they might just find a renewed zest for their education – or at least for show and tell!

A Day Sail Cures the Summer Blahs in Mr. Putter and Tabby Clear the Decks

I live in Erie, Pennsylvania, where one of our claims to fame is the Flagship Niagara, a brig that played a pivotal role in the War of 1812. Last summer, my family spent a day aboard the ship, stretching our nautical legs in the waters of Lake Erie. In Mr. Putter and Tabby Clear the Decks, the latest in a series of books about an old man, his creaky cat, his eccentric neighbor and her rambunctious dog, the quirky quartet go for a similar day sail.

Like the rest of the Mr. Putter and Tabby books, this one is divided into sections. In this case, there are five: Itchy, An Idea ,Pepping Up, A Boat! and Another Boat! We begin with Mr. Putter and Tabby feeling “itchy,” as in bored. They’re hot and can’t think of anything interesting to do. That’s where Mrs. Teaberry comes in. She always has adventurous ideas, and when Mr. Putter appeals to her for help, she comes up with the sailing trip. It seems like a perfect outing for them, but when the time comes to leave, one member of the party is not so willing to depart…

As always, Cynthia Rylant does a wonderful job of breathing life and humor into these characters with just a few words. Timid Mr. Putter and zesty Mrs. Teaberry complement one another well, and their pets are always good for a laugh, especially with Arthur Howard’s expressive illustrations. A lot of the humor in the book is purely visual. Other chuckles come from Rylant’s sparse but flavorful phrasing. For instance, upon reflecting on the boat’s name of The Olden Days, “Mr. Putter was glad the boat was not named The Young and Zippy Days. Those were long behind him.”

One two-page spread has Mr. Putter remembering some of the strange ideas Mrs. Teaberry has had in the past. His eyes pop with alarm as he recalls a wobbly ice skating expedition and a trip to a baffling art museum. On another page, Mr. Putter soaks in the fresh air by standing at the bow of the ship in a jubilant expression that’s almost certainly a reference to Titanic.

Only one and a half “chapters” actually take place on the boat; it’s mostly build-up and a bit of denouement. Nonetheless, kids who are interested in boats might enjoy this outing, and anyone who’s ever joined Mr. Putter and Mrs. Teaberry on a jaunt before is sure to love the chance to see these old friends together again. This is an easy reader series aimed at children in early elementary school, but I’m 29, and my eyes lit up when I saw that another installment had been published. So whatever your age, give Mr. Putter and Tabby Clear the Decks a try. I found it smooth sailing indeed.

Mr. Putter and Tabby Spill the Beans, With Help From Mrs. Teaberry and Zeke

I am 28 years old. But I am not ashamed to admit that one of my most-anticipated new book releases of 2009 was Mr. Putter & Tabby Spill the Beans, the 18th installment in the beginning reader series written by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Arthur Howard. Rylant is a giant in the field of children's literature, having published dozens of books aimed at children spanning the age spectrum but focusing especially on the early elementary school set. Her other series for this age group include Henry and Mudge, about a boy and his gregarious dog, and Poppleton, about a mild-mannered, middle-aged pig. I've read many of her books and loved most of them, but it's the Mr. Putter and Tabby series, featuring a pudgy elderly bachelor and his creaky cat, along with his zesty neighbor and her cheerful bulldog Zeke, that really captures my fancy.

All but a couple of the volumes in the series have involved the quartet rather than just the duo of the old man and his cat, who are lovable enough on their own. But bringing Mrs. Teaberry into the equation adds excitement, conversation and just the slightest hint of romance, so I was pleased to find her an integral part of Mr. Putter & Tabby Spill the Beans. As in several other installments, she has an idea for something "new and fun" to do, and she takes a rather reluctant Mr. Putter along for the ride. In past books, her ideas have included learning a musical instrument, entering a race for seniors and taking a train trip through the countryside. Some of these ventures have been more successful than others. Mr. Putter, who isn't inclined to be adventurous, knows that mishaps may occur, especially with Tabby and Zeke in tow, but he doesn't want to dampen her enthusiasm.

In this case, her proposition seems less intimidating than dull. She wants them to take a class on how to cook beans. One hundred different ways to do it. The reminded me of the classic Animaniacs episode in which a pair of overbearing survey ladies makes a series of bean-related queries, as well as a song on Pardners, a collection of Disney cowboy songs, indicating that beans are the sole sustenance of many folks who ride the open range. I'm not a particular fan of beans, and it seems Mr. Putter isn't either - unless perhaps it's vanilla beans, as he has a sweet tooth that can sometimes only be satisfied by ice cream.

Like the other books in this series, this one is separated into short chapters. While most have four or five, this latest installment has seven, so most of the sections are even shorter than usual. Neighbors introduces the main characters for those who may be reading about them for the first time. New and Fun and One Hundred Ways focus on Mr. Putter's misgivings before the class, while Beans, Granola and Wide Awake detail the events of the class itself. Finally, the story wraps up with Sodas. Rylant is especially good at using repetition to her advantage, and certain words and phrases recur throughout the book, particularly "new," "fun," "beans" and "one hundred ways". And, as before, Tabby is "fine" and Zeke is "good," even though both seem to have a knack for getting into mischief.

Mr. Putter & Tabby Spill the Beans isn't the most laugh-aloud funny installment in the series, but there are some very amusing moments, including the spillage hinted at in the title. My favorite bits, though, involve Mr. Putter reminiscing over past outings with Mrs. Teaberry. His recollections of past escapades demonstrate the depth of his affection for her. For instance, on one page, "Mr. Putter thought about the many times he had trusted Mrs. Teaberry." In the accompanying illustration, both of them look quite alarmed as they zoom along on a roller coaster. In Rylant's world, it seems pets are welcome just about everywhere, so we also see Tabby's tail sticking out as she cowers on the floor, while Zeke alone is unperturbed enough to gaze ahead with a big doggy smile on his face. I also love his reflection a few pages later on some of his less traumatic experiences, particularly "When they had gone to the hair show, he'd won a case of shampoo that made a very good doorstop." Of course, since Mr. Putter is bald but for a couple of tufts of gray hair, shampoo wouldn't do him much good in its intended use!

As always, Howard's excellent illustrations, which so effectively convey the emotions of the characters, are as important to the book as Rylant's words. Together, they create yet another story sure to leave fans smiling, whether they're 8, 28 or 88.

The Celestial Bodies Are Beautiful, But the Real Stars Here Are Mr. Putter and Tabby

The first hints of winter are in the air here in Erie, Pennsylvania. As the weather grows chillier, I grow more inclined to hunker down under a fleece blanket, bundled up in robes given to me by my grandparents, who, like the titular characters in Mr. Putter and Tabby See the Stars, appreciate the value of a good snooze. They also love to sit out and stare up at the stars from around a crackling fire at the camp they visit each summer, so I think of them as I read this latest tale in Cynthia Rylant's charming series about an amiable, elderly bachelor and his creaky, devoted cat, who spring to endearing life through the squiggly illustrations of Arthur Howard.

While Mr. Putter and Tabby's lives are generally serene, they occasionally run into comical complications, often because of kindly Mrs. Teaberry, who lives next door with her dog Zeke. Like my grandma, she dotes on her dog and delights in preparing tasty treats for visitors. Most often, Mrs. Teaberry's visitors are Mr. Putter and Tabby, who enjoy the neighborly company and the delectable delicacies. But on this particular occasion, Mr. Putter lets his fondness for her pineapple jelly rolls get the better of him, leaving him with a nasty case of indigestion-induced insomnia. But rather than add his grumbling to that of his stomach, he takes the inconvenience as an invitation. It's a perfect night for a star-gazing stroll.

Like the other books in this series, Mr. Putter and Tabby See the Stars is divided into three sections. In this case, the first two sections, entitled Logs and Grumble, are extremely short in comparison with the third, Stars, in which most of the action is contained. They provide some basic background, but the duo's nocturnal perambulation doesn't occur until Stars. The only real conflict in the story is the upset stomach, which is a source of mild annoyance rather than anguish, so this is one of the most sedate installments in the series, but that just makes it especially ideal for bedtime reading, perhaps during a campout when stars are likely to be in full view.

As always, Howard's pictures are wonderfully whimsical, perfectly complementing Rylant's short but artful sentences, like these: "Mr. Putter plumped his pillow. Tabby squished hers. And then they slept like logs. But one night, one of the logs could not sleep." While I love the details in the characters' facial expressions, I think my favorite picture in this book is the one in which Mr. Putter and Tabby, their backs to the reader, gaze up at the Big Dipper from beneath a gently drooping tree. It's a lovely image, full of fanciful possibilities, to which the text alludes.

Whether or not they have previously encountered pudgy, pleasant Mr. Putter, with his overlarge glasses, bristly mustache and childlike expressions, and orange-and-white Tabby, with her twitchy tail and contented grin, children could scarcely wish on a star for a more quietly gentle tale.

Can Mr. Putter Train Tabby to Stow Away Where She's Unwelcome?

When I was little, my family used to go for a drive to a relatively nearby town, where we would catch a train that would take us on a scenic ride through the countryside. I think we spent more time in the car than on the train, but we always looked forward to the expedition, on which my brother and I would wear our conductor's hats proudly and gaze out at the passing scenery. Nowadays, when I think of trains I'm more likely to recall the Hogwarts Express before my own childhood adventures, but in either case, there is just something inherently exhilarating about riding in a train.

That's what Mr. Putter thinks, too, when his neighbor Mrs. Teaberry proposes a four-hour train ride in Mr. Putter and Tabby Take the Train, written by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Arthur Howard. Mr. Putter may be a rather old man now, but he remembers his boyhood and the joy he felt when he accompanied his parents on train rides.

Howard shows us one idyllic scene in a flashback illustration; we see the young Mr. Putter as a freckle-faced redhead wearing glasses and sitting next to his tattered teddy bear, while his father dozes and his mother, looking elegant with her pronounced fingernails, eyelashes and golden hair in a bun, begins reading the second chapter of Tom Sawyer. What a relief to the polite Mr. Putter that Mrs. Teaberry has proposed an idea that actually suits him, unlike some of her previous schemes, which he has often found outlandish and uncomfortable.

The book is divided into three sections: An Idea, Another Idea and Taking the Train. Between the first two sections, Rylant employs a technique that she often uses throughout the easy-reader series. She ends An Idea with a definitive statement and starts Another Idea with a complete contradiction of that statement. The effect is very funny, especially when amplified by the horrified expression on the usually placid Mrs. Teaberry's face.

I like the way this particular book emphasizes the fact that not only are Mr. Putter and Mrs. Teaberry friends, his cat Tabby and her dog Zeke are friends as well. While the humans are chatting with one another on the phone, the pets go to their windows and greet each other, and throughout the book they are often within inches of each other but never seem in danger of snarling or hissing.

I've noticed that in Rylant's world - or at least in the worlds of Mr. Putter and Tabby and Henry and Mudge - pets have a free rein to do pretty much anything they want. They can go to stores and zoos and amusement parks. They can explore farms and hotels and beaches. They generally have free access to any place a human can go. So I was a bit surprised that in this book, cats and dogs are not allowed on trains. Perhaps the glance at Tom Sawyer near the beginning is a bit of foreshadowing, because Mr. Putter turns mighty mischievous when faced with such a restriction, and Mrs. Teaberry gladly follows suit. Interestingly, when they approach the ticket lady a second time and she grants them passage on the train, her eyes are closed and a smile is on her face, as if to say, "Okay, have things your way, but I don't want to know about it."

Mr. Putter and Tabby Take the Train is another charming installment in this series that shows again and again that fun and adventure can come at any age. Take a relaxing ride through the countryside with Mr. Putter and Mrs. Teaberry... and perhaps a stowaway or two!

Mr. Putter Gives Mrs. Teaberry a Very Grand Christmas Gift

I love Christmas. It's my favorite time of the year for many reasons, and one of the aspects that I enjoy the most is coming up with presents for certain people. It's always fun but also time-consuming, especially when I decide to make gifts. And sometimes things go wrong and what looked like a lovely ornament in my head is a gluey, jagged mess in real life and I have to start over. This is the sort of trouble Mr. Putter faces in Mr. Putter and Tabby Bake the Cake.

The book, third in the easy-reader series written by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Arthur Howard, is broken into four short sections: A Good Cake, No Pans, Mary Sue and Something Airy. If I were reading this series in order, it would be only my second encounter with Mrs. Teaberry, his cheery neighbor, and Zeke, her little bulldog. Zeke doesn't come into the story much, but the events of the book occur because Mr. Putter wants to give his dear friend Mrs. Teaberry a Christmas present that is truly special. After a great deal of deliberation, he settles upon the idea of giving her a light, fluffy Christmas cake so she will have something better to eat than those fruitcakes she is inexplicably fond of, which carry the risk of bodily injury if dropped.

There are just a few problems with this plan. Mr. Putter has no pans. Mr. Putter has no ingredients. Mr. Putter has no cookbook. And Mr. Putter has no prior experience in making cakes. Realizing all the strikes against him, he's tempted to give up. Instead, he seeks advice from a local cake-making expert, who sells him a hundred dollars' worth of supplies, none of which are ingredients. When he finally does get started on his sweet surprise (on Christmas Eve), his lack of expertise leads to several failed attempts. Will he have to settle for a cup of tea and a consolation card, or can he mange to give Mrs. Teaberry a treat that's good enough to eat?

It's fun to see Howard apply his skills to traditional Christmas images. We see the bustling sweetshop all decked out in holly and wreaths and surrounded by customers all bundled up to protect themselves against the powdery snow. There's Mrs. Teaberry's oddity of a fruitcake, indented with a strange assortment of implements including several very prominent cherries. There's the Christmas tree-shaped pan Mr. Putter buys from Mary Sue, the cake lady. And then there's my favorite, the card he imagines himself giving to Mrs. Teaberry, the front of which bears the words "It's the thought that counts" and features a perplexed-looking Santa.

I also like the little details in the book that give us greater insight into the personalities of these two people. We learn that Mrs. Teaberry is especially eccentric, embracing kitschy knick-knacks like monkey heads made of coconuts and wind-up salt shakers. We learn that as much as Mr. Putter loves a good story, his bookshelves also feature a wide assortment of volumes of non-fiction on topics ranging from seaweed to Chinese trees. And we learn that Tabby and Zeke are unusually patient, since they are willing to subject themselves uncomplainingly to festive attire with no apparent attempts at removing the items - a sweater for Zeke to match his mistress's wardrobe and a Santa hat for Tabby to match Mr. Putter's headgear, which is larger but otherwise identical.

This book reminds me of two later books in the series. Like Mr. Putter and Tabby Paint the Porch, it shows that Mr. Putter is a man with stick-to-it-ivity. He doesn't abandon a project just because the going gets tough. Like Mr. Putter and Tabby Spin the Yarn, it involves an attempt by Mr. Putter to do something extra-nice for his neighbor. Not everything goes as planned, but Mrs. Teaberry is certainly appreciative. Unlike both of those tales, this is a Christmas story, which makes it ideal December reading. Those who open it because of the holiday theme will find themselves drawn into a wonderful series that is 15 volumes strong, with hopefully many more to come.

Mr. Putter and Tabby Court Colorful Calamities

When I was in my early teens, I spent one summer painting the fence around my backyard. I went through can after can of red paint, splattering my designated painting shirt and shorts liberally and getting a decent amount on my face, in my hair and throughout the grass. I made a bit of a mess, but not any place where it counted, and by the end of the summer I had a whole freshly painted fence to my credit. Yes, it took a long time... But that was a big fence! In Cynthia Rylant's Mr. Putter and Tabby Paint the Porch, illustrated by Arthur Howard, the happy bachelor who lives with his cat in a lovely house decides that his house would be a little more lovely if he painted the porch. Unlike my unwieldy fence, Mr. Putter's porch should be a one-day paint job. But small paws and fresh paint are not a good combination in this book...

This easy reader is divided into four sections: The Porch, Scat!, Very Pink and A Lovely Yellow. It begins when Mr. Putter, just about to read a funny story to his attentive cat Tabby, notices that his front porch isn't looking so hot. Time for a new paint job! The text and illustrations both emphasize the fact that this is spring and seem to tie this project into the newness of the season. It's the time for fresh beginnings, for finding in the depths of disrepair an opportunity for beauty. Frankly, I don't think Mr. Putter's porch looks all that bad, but perhaps this is as much about wanting to pour his enthusiasm into a project as fixing something that is clearly broken.

The trouble begins shortly after Mr. Putter picks up the brush when a squirrel leaps onto the railing and begins running along its wet, pink surface. Up until this point, the project has been a bonding experience for the man and his cat. He sings to her, and she catches stray rags that get picked up by a playful wind. She wants to continue to be helpful, so she takes it upon herself to get rid of the pesky squirrel by chasing it away. Unfortunately, she knocks the paint can over in the process, and her wild pursuit of the offending critter results in a pink squirrel, a pink cat and a porch covered in pink paw prints.

This was not exactly the paint job Mr. Putter had in mind. He has to start from scratch. Luckily a sympathetic Mrs. Teaberry offers to help, and together they begin to paint the porch sky blue. And then a chipmunk comes along, and her dog Zeke, also wanting to be of service, remembers that he is an expert chipmunk chaser... This rib-tickling story about determination and false starts has two valuable lessons to teach. First, don't give up when you face an unforeseen roadblock to finishing a project. Second, leave the pets inside if you decide to paint the porch...

Mostly, though, Mr. Putter and Tabby Paint the Porch is just a hilarious tale of painted tails (and whiskers and paws and goodness knows what else). It's one of the most colorful books in the series, what with the burst of spring blooms and the spatter of clashing colors on the porch, and Rylant's winning style once again milks a simple story for all the humor it's worth. Excellent for springtime or any time!

Walking the Dog Poses Perilous Problems for Mr. Putter and Tabby

My dog Mokey loves to go for walks. But I don't always love taking her because she would much rather walk me. She tugs and tangles terribly, and when we come into contact with other dogs she tenses and tries to decide if the newcomer warrants closer investigation. It's all rather stressful, so I know how neighborly dog-walker Mr. Putter feels in Mr. Putter and Tabby Walk the Dog.

This second book in Cynthia Rylant and Arthur Howard's series for young readers, which is the first to mention Mrs. Teaberry, the pleasant woman who lives next door to Mr. Putter, and her little dog Zeke, is broken up into three sections: The Lollypup (a nickname for Zeke I haven't encountered in any other books in the series), The Nightmare and The Dream Dog. One day, Mr. Putter's kind offering of kiwis sets the stage for calamity when Mrs. Teaberry trips on one of them. A trip to the doctor yields a stern instruction not to walk Zeke for a week. But Zeke is so fond of his walks... How will he get along without them?

Mr. Putter saves the day by volunteering his services. Though she warns him that Zeke might not be the most cooperative of walkers, he's sure he can handle the pooch. Until he has that leash in his hand and he realizes just how much trouble one bulldog can be. He tugs. He winds around trees. He chases dogs three times his size. Poor Mr. Putter! It's enough to make him want to throw in the towel.

Rylant uses repetition to her advantage as she recounts the first three disastrous days Mr. Putter spends as dog-walker, followed by the more sedate remaining four. Moreover, our hero may have several decades on the children to whom this book is geared, but his generous, vivacious solution to his pup problem should certainly appeal to young eyes The activities he chooses as rewards for Zeke's good behavior don't seem quite appropriate for a dog; generally canines and chocolate don't mix too well, so a hot fudge sundae seems ill-advised, and when's the last time you saw a pooch jump off a diving board or go to the zoo? But Zeke seems to be having a wonderful time.

One point of interest for me in Howard's illustrations is the car Mr. Putter uses to drive Mrs. Teaberry to and from the doctor. It's a purple Buick Eight, a classy vehicle that looks straight out of the 1950s. I've been assuming that these stories have a contemporary setting, but Rylant never comes right out and tells us, at least not in one of the stories I've read. Well, I suppose Howard does narrow it down in Mr. Putter and Tabby Catch the Cold; the inclusion of Hagar the Horrible and Shoe in the comics limits the time frame to the last three decades. It just makes me wonder whether he's had that car since he learned to drive or for a couple decades (and this is the late seventies or early eighties) or not very long at all, and he just likes old cars. After all, he likes old cats...

And dogs, as long as they can learn how to take a walk without wearing him to a frazzle. Mr. Putter and Tabby Walk the Dog is a funny introduction to the neighbors who share many good times with the man with the mustache and his stripedy cat in subsequent books.

Tasty Temptations Distract Mr. Putter From Writing the Next Great Novel

It's hard to be a writer, especially when you are easily distracted. I can certainly vouch for that, having spent many an hour staring at a blank computer screen and feeling the urge to check my e-mal every five minutes or see what's on TV or run to the kitchen for a bite to eat. It's this last temptation that proves irresistible to the balding, mustache and glasses-wearing, vest-loving protagonist of Mr. Putter and Tabby Write the Book, part of the series of easy-to-read books written by Cynthia Rylant, who also authored the Henry and Mudge and Poppleton series, and illustrated by Arthur Howard.

The book, which is divided into the sections An Idea, Chapter One and Good Things, finds Mr. Putter cooped up inside during a blizzard. They enjoy gazing out at all the pretty white fluff and watching the young people have fun in it but don't want to risk injury by going outside themselves. So they stay in, and Mr. Putter comes up with a great idea for a way to pass the time. He will write a mystery novel. He has all the supplies necessary for such an endeavor, including a comfy chair, a cheery fire, a sharp pencil and lots of paper. He's ready. But writing a book is harder than he bargained for...

This is an especially entertaining book for me, since I'm always trying to write something and not always succeeding, especially when it's a large project encompassing dozens or even hundreds of pages. Howard amusingly shows us the thought behind Mr. Putter's writing process as his face displays a variety of confused and frustrated expressions before an accomplishment merits a satisfied grin. After each small victory - such as coming up with a title - Mr. Putter rewards himself with an elaborate snack, and preparing his culinary masterpieces always takes quite a bit longer than whatever writing he was attempting. And then he's so worn out he needs a nap!

In the end, Mr. Putter creates something entirely different than what he initially had intended. It's not as massive an achievement as a mystery novel, but it delights his dear friend and neighbor Mrs. Teaberry, and this appreciative response makes him eager to write again. Mr. Putter and Tabby Write the Book shows that writing a book is a difficult task and that while it is a goal worth working toward, there's no shame in starting small.

Mr. Putter Spins a Good Yarn With Tabby and Zeke

Mr. Putter, the charming elderly character created by the prolific author Cynthia Rylant and illustrator Arthur Howard, is a lucky man. He may have a few creaks in his old bones, but he has an agreeable cat named Tabby to keep him company and a kindly neighbor named Mrs. Teaberry to look after him and shower him with food. In Mr. Putter and Tabby Spin the Yarn, he decides he wants to give something back to his considerate neighbor.

This book for beginning readers is broken up into four sections: Good Neighbors, The Club, The Fun Starts and One Less Potato. As the book begins, we find Mr. Putter contemplating whether he is a good neighbor like Mrs. Teaberry. When she comes over to tell him about her new knitting club, Mr. Putter hits upon a marvelous idea. He will serve tea to the members of her club. He will prove that he is a good neighbor after all!

When he gets to her house, he's all set for a pleasant afternoon. He has the tea for brewing and some bridge mix to pour into a large bowl. But he also has a cat, and Tabby finds herself strangely affected by all these balls of string, as we see by her hilariously frazzled expression in the corresponding illustration. It reminds me very much of her reaction to the fish Mr. Putter buys in an earlier installment of the series.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Teaberry's dog Zeke, who is usually described as "good", has been shut up in the kitchen for meddling with the ostentatiously decorated hat of one of the knitting ladies. Thus Mr. Putter's job becomes more about keeping a rein on his two feisty, furry, four-legged friends than about serving tasty treats. Can the mild-mannered man in the dapper vest and fishing hat avert a disaster?

I like the title of this book because it refers not only to Tabby's obsession with the yarn but to the fact that she and Mr. Putter - along with Zeke - are responsible for a crackin' good "yarn," or story. The combination of two over-enthusiastic pets and several chatty ladies in silly hats leads to one of the most action-packed sequences in the series, becoming the sort of story that Mr. Putter and Mrs. Teaberry and anyone lucky enough to read this book are likely to recollect with laughter for years to come.

A Sweaty Nightmare Turns Into a Dream for Mr. Putter and Tabby

After several months of winter weather, I think I am ready for some green grass, brightly-colored flowers, clear skies and sun. I am ready to ditch the heavy coat in favor of t-shirts and start eating dinner at the picnic table on the back porch. But I am not ready to melt into a pathetic puddle every time the mercury peeks above the 80-degree mark. I wilt on hot summer days, so I sympathize entirely with the striped cat and pudgy man who lie around miserably mopping themselves in Mr. Putter and Tabby Row the Boat.

This book, which is part of a series for young readers by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Arthur Howard, consists of four short sections: Sweaty, The Big Pond, Tall Tales and Much Better. Though I feel sorry for Mr. Putter and Tabby as the story opens on their sweltering suffocation, it's pretty funny to see them trying all sorts of different positions, looking equally lethargic no matter where they go.

Tabby looks especially pitiable, her legs and tail flopping around limply, her eyes half-open and dull, her mouth shaped into a small frown. This is not pleasant weather for a cat. Mr. Putter, I think it's time you invested in an air conditioner! Even a retreat to the basement fails to cool the tattered twosome off, though it does have the advantage of giving us a peek at some of Mr. Putter's antiquated possessions, including a phonograph and a typewriter.

Happily, an idea arises to reduce the discomfort not only of these two but also of their neighbors, the perky Mrs. Teaberry and her agreeable dog Zeke. Mr. Putter proposes a picnic, and soon the four are trudging through the mid-day heat with a picnic basket stuffed with goodies. It's not a pleasant walk, but the destination is worth it: a big pond where they can rent a boat (for two dollars!) and spend a couple of hours merrily rowing, munching a picnic lunch and splashing each other with the cool water.

Mmmm, now that sounds like a nice way to pass an afternoon. A stiflingly hot day turns into a delightful outing augmented by Mrs. Teaberry's lunch and her playful willingness to use her hat as a means for dumping refreshing water over the heads of her friends. Howard's illustrations go from the comically unhappy to the blissfully content, while Rylant maintains a light touch with her breezy storytelling, resulting in a book that's perfect for such sticky summer days.

Mr. Putter Finds Solace in Friends Through His Sickness

In Henry and Mudge Get the Cold Shivers, Cynthia Rylant gives us a good picture of a boy coddled through a brief illness. In Mr. Putter and Tabby Catch the Cold, she shows us a man who remembers what it was like to be spoiled while sick. But Mr. Putter hasn't lived with his parents in years. He's creaky, gray and balding, and he has no one to look after him but his rickety orange cat Tabby. Or so he thinks.

This story, which is illustrated by Arthur Howard, comes in four sections: Blowing and Hacking, Mrs. Teaberry, Zeke and The Best Cold. It's a charming tale of friendship, as Mr. Putter comes to realize that he doesn't have to fight this nasty cold all by himself. Tabby does her best, of course, sitting on his head after Mr. Putter first goes outside without a hat to get the paper and subsequently fears catching cold. But there's only so much a cat can do. She cannot make soup for Mr. Putter. She cannot brew tea for him. She can't even bring him an adventure book. But there is someone who can...

Howard's illustrations are delightful; I really do enjoy them more than Sucie Stevenson's Henry and Mudge pictures, though those are perfectly acceptable. But Mr. Putter is such an adorable little old man, with his shiny head, chubby cheeks, bristly gray mustache and square glasses. Tabby, too, is endearing, with her scruffy orange stripes and wide, expressive blue eyes, as is neighborly Mrs. Teaberry, with her curly gray hair, flowered dress and coy smile, and her stubby, jowly, good-natured bulldog Zeke. I love the little details, too; we see that Mr. Putter has a cat calendar while Mrs. Teaberry has a dog calendar, and when Mr. Putter is reading the comics, there are clear nods to Peanuts, Shoe, B. C. and Hagar the Horrible.

Mrs. Teaberry's clever solution to Mr. Putter's woes, sidestepping his protests over the phone that if she visits, she will catch his cold, brings a smile to the face, and the results show that just because you have to grow old doesn't mean you have to grow up. Childlike Mr. Putter is a charmer through and though, and getting a look at illness from another perspective promotes empathy. Mr. Putter and Tabby Catch the Cold but warm the heart.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Putter!

About a month ago, my 26th birthday came, heralded by cards in the mail, presents on the table, dinner at Olive Garden, chocolate cake in my dog's stomach... Well, that last one wasn't really planned on. I had hoped to eat my birthday cake without Mokey's help, but she had other plans. Other plans expansive enough that a new cake was in order, to the soundtrack of some very strange canine intestinal noises. It was a good birthday.

In Mr. Putter and Tabby Make a Wish, part of the series written by Cynthia Rylant, author of the Poppleton and Henry and Mudge books, and illustrated by Arthur Howard, balding, pot-bellied, bespectacled Mr. Putter suddenly remembers that it's his birthday. But Mr. Putter is no longer a child who can expect parties full of laughing kids, cakes full of candles, shiny boxes full of extravagant toys, ceilings full of brightly colored balloons. "I am too old for birthdays, Tabby," Mr. Putter sighs. But then he decides, darn it all, he wants one anyway! And at least he can create a more festive air by inviting his neighbor, Mrs. Teaberry, over.

Mrs. Teaberry is Mr. Putter's best human friend. Not having read the volume in which she was introduced, I can't say for sure how long they've known each other. But in the flashbacks to Mr. Putter's childhood birthdays, Howard shows us a girl who looks suspiciously like a seven-year-old version of Mrs. Teaberry. Because Mr. Putter is so fond of his neighbor - and so polite - he doesn't berate her for keeping him waiting after he issues his invitation. But we can see just how impatient he's getting when his expression grows more and more aggravated each time she calls to tell him there's something else - doing the dishes, curling her hair, unclogging the tub, searching for Zeke's ball - she must do before she comes over. "Can you wait?" she asks. Mr. Putter begins to wonder whether he will end up waiting right through his birthday.

Tabby, too, seems to get more irritated by the hour, her watery blue eyes lowered in an expression of inquisitive annoyance. Eventually she gets so tired of waiting that she retreats to a bowl atop the fridge, where she curls up, peering suspiciously over the rim. Funny, I always thought my cat was odd for doing that; of course, the sight does prompt Mr. Putter to remark, "So far, this is a very strange birthday." Will Mrs. Teaberry and her dog Zeke ever arrive?

Mr. Putter and Tabby Make a Wish is divided into three sections: Good Heavens!, Can You Wait? and Finally. This is a funny and touching story about old friends coming together in celebration, and Mr. Putter and young readers alike will realize that you're never too old for birthdays.

A Touching Introduction to Mr. Putter and Tabby

A couple days ago, I was thrilled when LOST formally introduced us to the mysterious man who appeared on a television screen in one of the hatches wearing an eye patch. We learned many things about this ominous Russian recluse; one was that he had a cat. A very old female cat, just like Mr. Putter does.

In Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea, written by Cynthia Rylant, author of the Poppleton and Henry and Mudge books, and illustrated by Arthur Howard, we meet Mr. Putter for the first time. He does not wear an eye patch, but he does wear glasses. Patchy offers his guests iced tea, while Mr. Putter prefers hot tea fresh from the kettle. He does live alone, but not so much by choice as by chance. Mr. Putter is perhaps a bit shy, but he's not unfriendly, and he's beginning to find his big empty house just a little lonely. He needs someone to share his tea, his muffins and, most importantly, his stories with. He needs a cat.

The set-up of this book is pretty basic, with the three sections entitled Mr. Putter, Tabby and Mr. Putter and Tabby. Mr. Putter may be on his own, but not for long. He's going to change his situation by going to the pet store. Only the pet store has kittens. "No one wants cats, sir," the sales lady explains to him. "They are not cute. They are not peppy." Mr. Putter reflects that he himself "had not been cute and peppy for a long time." He wants a companion a little more suited to his more sedate lifestyle. And at the shelter, he strikes gold with a tawny cat just as creaky as him, staring up at him with pleading eyes to rival the disarming Puss in Boots in Shrek 2.

Rylant and Howard strike gold too in this first achingly tender book in their series. There is no Mrs. Teaberry or Zeke in this book, just two old strangers quickly becoming old friends: puttering around the garden together, eating muffins together (his with jam, hers with cream cheese), yowling along with opera records together... doing everything an aging cat and gentleman might want to do, but together, which makes it so much nicer. It reminds of a story from one of James Herriot's books in which an elderly couple takes in an aging pooch and Herriot cites the Robert Browning lines "Grow old along with me; the best is yet to be."

The best may be yet to be with these two, but with Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea, they sure are off to a great start.

Twitchy Tabby Faces His Fish Fixation

Cynthia Rylant's Henry and Mudge books are a popular series about a vivacious boy and his big, affectionate dog. She has another winning pair of characters in the Mr. Putter and Tabby books, which are about a middle-aged man who lives alone with his pet cat. In Mr. Putter and Tabby Feed the Fish, Mr. Putter decides to get a little more company in the form of three fish. He always enjoys watching them at the store, so owning them ought to be even better. Except that he didn't count on one thing: Tabby's fish problem.

This 40-page book is broken up into four easy-to-read sections: The Fish Store, Bat, Bat. Bat. Bat. and So Relaxed. They take us from the trip to the store on which Mr. Putter buys the fish to his decision to give them up due to Tabby's unrelenting infatuation with them. He tries to discourage the mesmerizing hold the fish have over Tabby by covering the bowl first with a pillowcase and then with a bucket - both of which seem like they ought to suffocate the fish, but they don't seem adversely affected - but his best efforts are to no avail. Tabby is addicted.

While I enjoy Sucie Stevenson's Henry and Mudge illustrations, I'm even fonder of the pictures here, which are by Arthur Howard. They seem less sketchy, with more attention to detail and rich, watery coloration. Mr. Putter is a delightful fellow, with chubby cheeks, a little mustache, a pair of glasses perched on his bulbous nose and tufts of hair sprouting out of his mostly bald head. Tabby, meanwhile, is a bundle of curiosity with white and orange stripes and large blue eyes with black pin-prick pupils. Throughout this book, he is on edge, his tail and whiskers a-quiver, his eyes filled with hypnotizing visions of golden, bug-eyed fish with fancy fins.

Though there are no children in this story, Tabby's fish-inspired antics and Mr. Putter's flummoxed response to them should get kids chuckling. Mr. Putter and Tabby are another dynamic Rylant duo, and adding a few fish into the mix only makes them more entertaining.