Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Mr. Putter and Tabby Catch the Cold
Illustrator: Arthur Howard
Fiction Series
For ages 6 to 9
Harcourt Children's Books, 2002 ISBN: 978-0152024147
One snowy morning Mr. Putter is in such a hurry to get his newspaper that forgets to put on his hat when he goes outside and as a result he wakes up the next morning with a dreadful cold. His cat Tabby does what she can to help but Mr. Putter comes to conclusion that it isn?t much fun having a cold when you are old.
Luckily his neighbor and friend, Mrs. Teaberry, is a very creative kind of person and though she cannot come over in person to help Mr. Putter, she sends her dog Zeke over with hot tea and hot soup to comfort poor Mr. Putter. Best of all Zeke is willing to share his prized possession with Mr. Putter and together Mr. Putter, Tabby and Zeke while away the hours with their heads in Zeke?s adventure book.
Anyone who has suffered the miseries of a nasty cold will immediately be able to identify with Mr. Putter. Who doesn?t want to be spoiled when their ill? Who doesn?t want someone about to make them good things to eat and to bring them treats to make the time go by faster? Though Mrs. Teaberry is the one who makes the tea and the soup, what makes it especially funny is that it is her dog, Zeke, who makes it all possible.
Once again Cynthia Rylant has created a story which warms the heart, tickles the funny bone and which reminds the reader that there really is nothing quite like true friendship.
