Early Readers - Mr. Putter & Tabby Make a Wish

Mr. Putter & Tabby Make a Wish by Cynthia Rylant 2005

I have yet to pick up a Cynthia Rylant book and not enjoyed it. This particular title is the 14th in her Mr. Putter & Tabby series. It is aimed at early readers and some say reluctant readers. It is divided into three "chapters" and is written with very clear and simple sentence structure. The story centers on Mr. Putter's birthday. While he sits and reads the morning paper with Tabby he realizes that it is his birthday that day. As he reflects upon his birthdays of yesteryear he thinks he is too old to have birthdays now. But, then he rethinks that thought and figures he could at least celebrate with some company. He calls his neighbor and invites her and her dog to tea. During his wait for their arrival he keeps getting calls from her asking if he could wait just a little longer. After several of these calls, he thinks maybe he will not get to celebrate his birthday until next year now. Finally, the time comes to where Mrs. Teaberry (love the name) arrives with her dog Zeke and what a surprise Mr. Putter receives. The story is charming and fun. The illustrator Arthur Howard does a great job with expressing the story through the use of watercolors. Howard really brings out the expressions of Mr. Putter and Tabby in a humorous way. The publisher suggests the book for ages 6 to 8, but depending on the reader's ability it could go a bit more in either direction. Definitely worth looking up at the library.