Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews

Mr. Putter and Tabby Stir the Soup

Mr. Putter and Tabby Stir the Soup

Cynthia Rylant
Illustrator:  Arthur Howard 
Fiction  Series
For ages 6 to 9
Harcourt, 2004   ISBN: 978-0152050580

Mr. Putter and Tabby love to cook soup on their old stove, Bessie. They don't do it all that often because they don't often have all the necessary ingredients but one day Mr. Putter finds that he has everything he needs to make a large pot of soup. Soon he is chopping away, putting carrots, onions, potatoes and other vegetables into his big soup pot. Alas, when he turns Bessie on, the stove does not warm up. What are Tabby and Mr. Putter going to do? They need a stove to cook their soup.

Thankfully Mr. Putter's good friend and neighbor is happy to let Mr. Putter use her stove to cook his soup. Mr. Putter is very thankful and does not mind at all that Mrs. Teaberry has to go out. Nor does he mind that Mrs. Teaberry's dog Zeke is around. Mr. Putter is fond of Zeke. What Mr. Putter does not know is that Zeke is not in the mood for cooking; he wants to play instead, and Zeke is the kind of dog who gets what he wants.

Fans of Cynthia Rylant's wonderful stories will not be disappointed by this Mr. Putter and Tabby book. Once again the two old friends manage to have an adventure which will leave readers smiling and looking forward to their next foray into the warm and loving world that these two companions share.