Rylant, Cynthia. Mr. Putter and Tabby Drop the Ball. Arthur Howard, Illus. Easy Reader. Mr. Putter & Tabby Series. Harcourt, 2013. [44]p. $14.99. 978-0-15-205072-6, PB $5.99 978-0-54-434115-9. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 1-3.
Mr. Putter and his cat, Tabby, love to nap, but they wonder if perhaps they are napping too much. Deciding they need to participate in a sport, Mr. Putter contacts his good friend and neighbor, Mrs. Teaberry, to see if she knows of a baseball team they could join. Hijinks follow when Mrs. Teaberry’s dog, Zeke, decides he is part of the team. Rylant’s subtle humor (“Hmm,” thought Mr. Putter in the outfield. “I could be taking a nap.”) pairs perfectly, as usual, with Howard’s whimsical illustrations done in pencil, watercolor, and gouache.
Kathy L. Haug, Retired