Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Mr. Putter and Tabby Take the Train
Illustrator: Arthur Howard
Fiction Series
For ages 6 to 8
HMH Books for Young Readers, 2000 ISBN: 978-0152023898
One morning Mr. Putter gets a telephone call while he is preparing his breakfast oatmeal. The caller is his neighbor and friend, Mrs. Teaberry, and she is keen for him to join her on one of her adventures. Mrs. Teaberry loves to have adventures. Mr. Putter isn't sure that he wants to hear what she has come up with this time, but he is fond of his friend and is a polite man so he listens to what she has to say.
Mr. Putter is delighted when he hears about Mrs. Teaberry's latest plan. He is so glad that she called him because Mrs. Teaberry has come up with a wonderful idea. She has decided that she would like to go for a four hour train ride and she wants Mr. Putter and Tabby to join her, and her dog Zeke, on this splendid adventure. Mr. Putter loves trains and he cannot imagine anything more wonderful than going for a ride on a train with his best friends.
Unfortunately, at the train station Mr. Putter and Mrs. Teaberry discover that they are not allowed to take their pets on the train. What a disappointment! How can they possibly go on an outing of this kind without Tabby and Zeke?
This smile-out-loud Mr. Putter and Tabby title captures the simple joys of good friendships, gentle adventures, and charming characters. It can certainly be said that Cynthia Rylant is a true master at writing books of this kind. She creates delightful stories that young readers find entertaining and engrossing.
