Mr. Putter & Tabby Walk the Dog

Mr. Putter & Tabby #2

by Cynthia Rylant, Arthur Howard (Illustrator)

When their neighbor Mrs. Teaberry hurts her foot, Mr. Putter and his fine cat, Tabby, volunteer to walk her dog for a week. They soon discover that Zeke isn’t a dream dog after all. He might even be . . . a nightmare! After three days of Zeke's tugging, wrapping around trees, and chasing other dogs, how will Mr. Putter and Tabby make it through the week? Illustrator Arthur Howard captures their humorous predicament in lively watercolor-and-pencil illustrations.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Cats, Fiction, Dogs, Realistic Fiction

44 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

An author of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for children and young adults as well as an author and author/illustrator of picture books for children, Cynthia Rylant is recognized as a gifted writer who has contributed memorably to several genres of juvenile literature. A prolific author who often bases her works on her own background, especially on her childhood in the West Virginia mountains, she is the creator of contemporary novels and historical fiction for young adults, middle-grade fiction and fantasy, lyrical prose poems, beginning readers, collections of short stories, volumes of poetry and verse, books of prayers and blessings, two autobiographies, and a biography of three well-known children's writers; several volumes of the author's fiction and picture books are published in series, including the popular "Henry and Mudge" easy readers about a small boy and his very large dog.

Rylant is perhaps most well known as a novelist. Characteristically, she portrays introspective, compassionate young people who live in rural settings or in small towns and who tend to be set apart from their peers.

from bookrags.com

Reviews

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first book, Mr. Putter & Tabby Pour the Tea, but still cute. My favorite illustrations were of Mr. Putter and Tabby collapsing together after the huge chore of walking a small dog.



Okay, that does look like a hassle. And I'm not judging others' tea-dessert-napcentric lifestyle.

[Little Miss and the Legomeister · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Zeke! The people and animals in these books have so much personality.


I love these books, the whole series. They are warm and funny. Mr. Putter is so earnest, and kind, and polite. It’s just that funny things keep happening to him. The illustrations are very expressive, they really communicate the emotions of the characters, especially Tabby.

These books are written for children who have outgrown “early readers” but are not quite ready for “chapter” books. They’re still easy to read and have a picture on each page, but they have more words on each page, and an increased vocabulary. So I really, really recommend Mr. Putter if you have a child at that stage. I also recommend Mr. Putter for reading out loud.

Legomeister loved these books when he read them, and now Little Miss is reading them and she loves them too.

[Molly Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ADORE Mr. Putter! Cynthia Rylant and Arthur Howard are two of my all-time favs -- they're an outstanding duo. The Mr. Putter & Tabby series is an exceptional mix of delightful stories that show an older man and his beloved pet getting into the same kind of mishaps small children stumble into.

[The Reading Countess]

Mr. Putter attempts to help his good friend, Mrs. Teaberry (hurt by an errant kiwi), by walking her dog Zeke. Unfortunately, Zeke is not a dream dog, he is a nightmare-and so the hilarity ensues. Rylant's familiar repetition adds a level of comfort to our night time ritual. She is simply the best.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not like this book because I do not like dogs. I also did not like this book because I did not like the part when they said that Zeke was a "nightmare." I also did not like this book because I do not like nightmares.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, Mrs. Teaberry's good dog Zeke wasn't so good in this installment of Mr. Putter & Tabby. Sadly, this installment wasn't so good either. It was ok, but it was a bit repetitive, and as I read this to the kids I sort of felt like they were waiting for the story to go somewhere. When it did finally go somewhere, I didn't like where it went, and then I was sort of left wondering if it reinforces to the kids that in order to deliver good behavior a reward must be promised first. This is a belief that I'm currently trying to disabuse my nephew of, and Mr. Putter's solution to his troubles with Zeke did not help me out there. Of course, it's also likely that the kids completely forgot about this book as soon as we finished reading it, and if that's the case, then it still doesn't warrant more than two stars.

[Sarah Hannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal Reaction - I liked this book because I thought it told a cute story of Mr. Putter and Tabby the cat trying to walk the dog.

Purpose/Use in the Classroom:

Read-aloud:
-Good for a unit on pets
-Good for a unit on friendship and kindness
-Enrichment for younger students before they can read the transitional level book for themselves

Independent Reading:
-Good for students who are interested in animals, specifically pets.
-Good for students who need to read about friendship
-Good for students who are beginning to read transitional books because it has small chapters within the book.

Narrative:
-The conflict of the story is that Mr. Putter and Tabby the cat have to walk a dog that they learn is not as well behaved as they would have thought.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

My review is mostly a response to other reviewers who didn't like this episode in the series because they missed the point.

This is book two of the whole series. We know from future books that Mr. Putter's use of bribery to ensure good behavior doesn't work... Zeke continues to be impulsive and self-centered. So, no, this book doesn't teach children that bribery is a good strategy, or to expect bribes. Mr. Putter only resorts to bribes because he won't be the dog-walker for long enough to be able to teach Zeke better manners.

I don't particularly like dogs or nightmares either, but I still think this is a valid entry into the series, funny & warm & compassionate, and I'm glad that I finally got a chance to read it: 3.5 rounded down because it's just not one of the best.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute story, the second book we've read in the Mr. Putter and Tabby series. Our girls really like them. This story involves Mr. Putter and Tabby doing a kind deed for Mrs. Teaberry, their neighbor, by walking her dog while she was laid up with a bad foot. Zeke, her dog, is not quite the dream dog they expect, but they manage to get through the week anyway. Fun story to read aloud.

[Mandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mr. Putter and Tabby sign themselves up to walk Mrs. Teaberry's dog Zeke for a week after she falls and is unable to walk him. Initially Mr. Putter thought that walking Zeke was going to be easy because Mrs. Teaberry tells him that Zeke is a "dream dog." Soon enough, Mr. Putter and Tabby find that Zeke is more of a "nightmare" than a "dream dog." Their adventure is humorous and will delight young readers. This book was okay. I have read many other Cynthia Rylant books and this one was not my favorite. This book would be most appropriate in the kindergarten and 1st grade classroom. The vocabulary was advanced at some points, but should not stop a beginner from enjoying the story.

[Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

MCL. I didn't care for the ending.

[Cosette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than the last book.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: Mr. Putter and his fine cat, Tabby, lived next door to Mrs. Teaberry and her small dog, Zeke.

Premise/plot: Mr. Putter & Tabby Walk the Dog is the second book in the early chapter series by Cynthia Rylant. In the first chapter, Mr. Putter decides to help a neighbor for a week when she becomes unable to walk her dog. Mrs. Teaberry assures him that Zeke is a DREAM dog who never tugs, who never wraps around trees, who never chases other dogs. The second chapter opens with this sentence, "Zeke was a nightmare." The chapter chronicles the first three days. Zeke misbehaves; Mr. Putter and Tabby return EXHAUSTED and in need of treats. The first day: "When Mr. Putter and Tabby got home, they had to have some warm milk and pudding and a nap." The second day: "When Mr. Putter and Tabby got home, they had to have some warm milk and popovers and a nap." The third day: "When Mr. Putter and Tabby got home, they had to have some warm milk and shortbread and a nap." The third chapter chronicles the last four days; Mr. Putter and Tabby decide to approach walking the dog differently. They've resorted to bribery. Will Zeke be a dream dog if he's rewarded for good behavior?!

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. The writing was excellent. I loved the narrative style. Rylant is a great storyteller. I would definitely recommend this series. And treat yourself by beginning at the beginning.

[Julia Orr · Rating 5 out of 5]

The owner wanted what really happened in the book not to happen to the dog. He chased other dogs. He wrapped Mr. Putter and Tabby to a tree with the leash. Zeke was a nightmare. He dragged them through houses they had never been to before. Then the big dogs decided to chase Zeke. Zeke knew what a deal was and Mr. Putter told him to be nice so he would give him a reward. Then after that, Zeke was a dream dog.

[Reading Fury · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am going to read the full series, having read the first three. Quite simply delightful, and each telling us how Tabby and Mr. Putter find joy and goodness in the world. In this volume, we are reacquainted with Zeke, the neighbor dog, who has to be taken walkies for a week by Mr. Putter. Zeke loves tugging, chasing, and running around trees and binding his walker with his leash. Mr. Putter is determined to turn the nightmare dog into a dream dog. What a fun little read!

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Mr. Putter and Tabby. THis is one of the first three released. It isn't as clever as the first one, but it establishes the personality of a main character in the series and is not to be missed. The art is, as, always fun and frenetic.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as touching as Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea (the first book in the series) but still cute!

[Josie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here come's a new character- Zeke!

[Ann M. Noser · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter and I LOVE to read this series together. Funny, Charming, Cute illustrations!

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

You have to smile!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are awesome! I can’t believe I didn’t discover them until now! I have to keep collecting!

[Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

That dog be crazy

[Danette · Rating 4 out of 5]

3/31/19 Read with Julia.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dog owners will definitely relate!

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously written by someone who has walked our dog.

[Catherine Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love the characters and illustrations in Cynthia Rylant's stories!

[Lillian Slater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting to read my childhood favorites to my baby absolutely makes my day!

[Ellie McGinnis · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Awesome, I love Mr. Putter And Tabby walk the dog, it's funny, like when Zeke raped them up with the leash on the tree.
It's so fun and imaginative, I love it.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr. Putter and Tabby agree to walk their neighbor’s dog while she recovers from an injury and get more than they bargained for. Cute and funny.

[Suz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story and pictures!