Mr. Putter and Tabby Pick the Pears

by Cynthia Rylant Narrated by John McDonough

Overview

Fall is Mr. Putter and Tabby's favorite time of year-a time to harvest juicy fruits and feast on baked goodies. But this year it's not going to be so easy. Old age is making Mr. Putter's legs, knees, and feet ... cranky. Even his cat Tabby suffers from a cranky tail. But that won't stop them! Mr. Putter comes up with a zingy way to pick the pears. And thanks to Mrs. Teaberry and her good dog Zeke, he and Tabby are showered with loads of yummy apple treats, but no pears--so no pear jelly. Can Mr. Putter will find a way to get pear jelly after all? This Newbery Medal honoree and her characters in the Mr. Putter Tabby series offer valuable lessons, such as the importance of never giving up, using your imagination, and trusting your friends. To the delight of listeners, John McDonough's warm voice brings these charming characters to life.

Editorial Reviews

School Library Journal

Gr 1-3In this fourth book about the two seniors who are special friends, Mr. Putter dreams about the many ways he will use his ripe tomatoes, applesand especially pears. But when he tries to climb the ladder to pick the green edibles, his cranky legs force him to stay on the ground. Remembering his younger days, he makes himself a slingshot and uses fallen apples as ammunition. Unfortunately, he is unable to hit his targets. But what fun to sling those apples and watch them go ``...over the tree, over the chimney, over the house.'' The next day, he and his old cat Tabby feel sorry for themselves until their neighbor, Mrs. Teaberry, arrives with her dog and a feast of apple turnovers, pies, jelly, and cider. Mr. Putter then decides what to do about the pearsjust wait for them to fall. Rylant's originality continues in this autumnal adventure. She uses repetition to reinforce vocabulary development and word recognition; however, she also uses both simple and compound sentences, dialogue, and expressive language so that the story is neither stilted nor boring. Howard's watercolor illustrations fit the text perfectly, providing humor and warmth.Mary Ann Bursk, Bucks County Free Library, Levittown, PA

JUN/JUL 02 - AudioFile

Listening is a true pleasure when the narrator and the character mesh. John McDonough richly personifies Mr. Putter with a mellow and Sparkly voice. He paces the quest for pear jelly with just the right timing for appreciating the foibles of "cranky" body parts, poodle bedecked underwear, and the generosity of Mrs. Teaberry. Few authors describe the bond between humans and their pets as masterfully as Cynthia Rylant. The interplay between her sparse text and illustrations creates a friendship that reaches the heart. John McDonough brings this friendship delightfully to the ear. A.R. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171252823
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	05/02/2014
Series:	Mr. Putter and Tabby Series
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

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