Mr. Putter & Tabby Drop the Ball

Mr. Putter & Tabby #22

by Cynthia Rylant, Arthur Howard (Illustrator)

Mr. Putter and his fine cat, Tabby, love to take naps — too many naps. What they need is a sport! Luckily Mrs.Teaberry and her good dog, Zeke, know of a baseball team they can join. It's not long before Mr. Putter is ready to play ball, but will his creaky knees cooperate? And can Zeke avoid wreaking havoc on the field? Win or lose, this baseball team will never be the same!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Sports, Animals, Fiction, Humor, Baseball

44 pages, Hardcover

First published September 17, 2013

About the author

Cynthia Rylant is an American author, poet, and librarian whose deeply felt books for children and young adults have made her one of the most beloved voices in contemporary literature. Writing across picture books, novels, short stories, nonfiction, and poetry, she has published more than one hundred works, many of them rooted in memory, family, solitude, and the emotional landscapes of ordinary life. Her fiction often draws from her upbringing in West Virginia and reflects the textures of Appalachian life with unusual tenderness and clarity.
Raised in modest circumstances, Rylant spent much of her childhood with her grandparents in a rural setting that later became central to her imagination as a writer. Those early years, marked by hardship as well as warmth, shaped the emotional honesty and quiet resilience that define her work. She later studied English and library science, and after working as a waitress, librarian, and teacher, she began publishing books inspired by the world she had known so intimately.
Among her most acclaimed works are Missing May, which received the Newbery Medal, and A Fine White Dust, a Newbery Honor Book. She also earned Caldecott Honors for When I Was Young in the Mountains and The Relatives Came. For younger readers, she became especially well known through the enduring Henry and Mudge series, as well as other popular books and series that combine gentleness, humor, and emotional depth.
Rylant's writing is distinguished by its compassion for lonely, searching, or overlooked characters, and by its reverence for animals, nature, and small human connections. Whether writing about grief, wonder, childhood, or belonging, she brings a lyrical simplicity that resonates across generations. Her books continue to offer comfort, recognition, and beauty to readers of all ages. She remains a singular literary presence in children's literature and beyond today.

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be my favorite in this series yet. What could be better than a children's book about old people!

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cynthia Rylant and Arthur Howard's book, "Mr. Putter and Tabby Drop the Ball" is a wonderful story and add to an overall great series of books for young readers. This book shows how Mr. Putter and Tabby decide that they should try playing baseball instead of napping all day. Mrs. Teaberry and her dog, Zeke, join in the game. Zeke provides a humorous and lighthearted quality to the book. This is a great book to provide children with a different perspective of people who are elderly. It helps them to understand that even older individuals still enjoy playing and having a good time, just like kids. This book also shows the pets as being members of the family which helps to instill compassion and kindness toward animals.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review: How did I never discover this series on the shelves?! Mr. Putter is an older, retired gentleman and Tabby is his cat, and they are looking for things to do. Munchkin really loves hanging out with our elderly neighbors and this was a fun book to read with him. It is easy for beginning readers to read and gain confidence with a lot of simple sentences and sight words. It is a very cute story that is silly and yet sweet at the same time. I will definitely be checking out more Mr. Putter & Tabby books!

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Mr. Putter feels that he and Tabby have become sleepy couch potatoes, he decides to join Mrs. Teaberry’s baseball team for exercise, but Tabby is not amused. Young readers will soon realize that baseball played by senior citizens is a different game played at a slower pace. There are lots of swings and misses. When a batter eventually does connect with the ball, Zeke, Mrs. Teaberry’s pup, runs amok with it, allowing opposing players to score. That is until the ball comes to Mr. Putter. He discovers he cannot bend down to field the ball, so Zeke steps in, catches the ball in his mouth and drops it into Mr. Putter’s glove. Mr. Putter summons all his strength and throws out the plodding hundred-year-old runner before he can reach home. Fittingly, the game ends in a tie, and Mr. Putter, Mrs. Teaberry, Zeke and Tabby are declared heroes and celebrate by taking naps. The entertaining illustrations capture the tenor of the elderly athletes with their sagging physiques. Young readers will identify with the grandfatherly characters and enjoy the gentle sports story. This installment of the "Mr. Putter and Tabby" series is still charming and a good choice for those who are ready for beginning chapter books. It is also a good choice for reading aloud.

[Zach Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Putter & Tabby Drop the Ball by Cynthia Rylant and Arthur Howard is a realistic fiction story suitable for 2nd grade. It contains five chapters with medium sized print and illustrations. The book contains humor, adventure and an easy to follow narrative along with dialogue. The story is about two elderly neighbors, Mr. Putter and Mrs. Teaberry, and their desire to relieve the days of their youth by playing baseball. Both are very fond of their pets, a cat named Tabby and a dog named Zeke. They are invited to play on a local team, but the dog Zeke comes onto the field and causes mischief. He is scolded, but then at the end he saves the day by helping Mr. Potter to field a ground ball and win the game.

This book integrates concepts such as team work, writing with dialogue, the narrative elements of surprise and humor, and how it is never too late to realize your dreams. Mostly, it would be a fun book to read during a transition time such as after recess.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although Mr. Putter and his beloved cat Tabby are past their more active years, Mr. Putter decides that they need some exercise. His friend Mrs. Teaberry suggests that he join a baseball team. Its members are quite elderly, much older and frailer than he is. Readers will smile at the antics of Zeke, Mrs. Teaberry's rambunctious pooch as well as Tabby's appreciation of the intricacies of baseball and warming the bench. I like this series a lot since it demonstrates that there is life after retirement and that even the elderly can continue to be physically active. The pencil, watercolor, and gouache illustrations add a great deal to the pleasures of reading this one since most readers can relate to a pet that steals the ball when a team is trying to play a game.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Putter and Tabby team up once again to bring readers a delightful and amusing tale of friendship. When Mr. Putter becomes concerned that he and Tabby are spending too much time napping, he determines to become more active. Their active and neighborly fellow senior citizen, Mrs. Teaberry, invites them to join her baseball team, The Yankee Doodle Dandies. An exciting, albeit slow, game of baseball ensues resulting in a much-deserved nap. This easy reader contains a well-developed plot, simple vocabulary and is divided into five chapters. Mr. Putter and Tabby Drop the Ball is an excellent read for the child making the transition from learning to read to reading chapter books independently.

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Mr. Putter and Tabby (I probably like them better than the better known Henry and Mudge series by the same author), so I am working on getting my children to enjoy them, too. So far, they seem to like them fine, but aren't yet asking for multiple rereads, so more work needs to be done!

In this installment, Mr. Putter decides that he and Tabby nap too much, so he has them join a baseball league for seniors. His friend Mrs. Teaberry and her dog Zeke also join, with amusing results. Having now sat through many a T-ball game, I enjoyed reading about the other end of the lifetime sports spectrum.

[Kate McGinty aka Caryn Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

When elderly Mr. Putter realizes that he and his cat Tabby are spending too much time resting, he decides to join a seniors baseball team with his friend Mrs. Teaberry and her dog Zeke. But Zeke's enthusiasm is too much for their team to handle; he keeps stealing the ball and charging off with it. Will Mr. Putter and Mrs. Teaberry be able to save the game and stay on the team, or will Zeke's puppy-dog antics relegate them to less-active pastimes?

This five-chapter beginning reader tells a cute story from a viewpoint that is rarely represented in children's books, and the humorous twist at the end should leave many children smiling.

[Chantelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son and I both thoroughly enjoyed every book in this series (through #18; the rest weren't published / available at our library yet). Mrs. Rylant's sentence structure is simple enough for beginning readers to enjoy but don't let that fool you! Each book contains an engaging plot, clever & silly humor, and underlying themes of friendship, thoughtfulness, and responsibility. We spent many hours laughing together at the (mis)adventures of Mr. Putter, Tabby, and their friends. We were excited to find out what would happen as we started each book. HIGHLY recommend!!!

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss 4 loves cats so these books are right up her alley. I love the stories. They're really sweet and I love the friendship between Mr Putter and his neighbour. I feel like these would be books her grandparents would enjoy reading to her as well.

Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

[Juliana Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Putter decides he's been taking too many naps so he decides to take up a sport. He got his old baseball mitt and joined a team. His friend and neighbor, Mrs. Teaberry joins too. She brings his old dog Zeke. Zeke loves baseball too. He catches all the balls and won't stay in the dugout. But then Zeke drops the ball into Mr. Putter's mitt. Mr. Putter throws it for an out and wins the game thanks to Zeke.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved, loved, loved this one! I love Mr. Putter and Tabby. I love the baseball team they join. I love Mrs. Teaberry and her dog, Zeke, who plays quite a big role on the team for better or worse! The team Mr. Putter and Mrs. Teaberry join is the Yankee Doodle Dandies. It's just fun and sweet all at the same time!

This early chapter book has five chapters.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Putter and his fine cat, Tabby, love to take naps — too many naps.What they need is a sport! Luckily Mrs.Teaberry and her good dog, Zeke, know of a baseball team they can join. It's not long before Mr. Putter is ready to play ball, but will his creaky knees cooperate?And can Zeke avoid wreaking havoc on the field? Win or lose, this baseball team will never be the same!

[Jennifer (JenIsNotaBookSnob) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite, but, that's largely because sports bore me. If you like Mr. Putter & Tabby and happen to like sports, particularly baseball, well, this could be your favorite one.

This is around a 2nd grade level and not a very long read. My daughter found it amusing, but, not as much as some other books in the same series.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

To break the habit of napping the summer away, Mr. Putter, and his fine cat Tabby along with Mrs. Teaberry, and her good dog Zeke join the Yankee Doodle Dandies baseball team. During the game, Tabby purred from the dugout and Zeke kept interfering by running away with the ball and Mr. Putter realizes his knees aren't as young a they used to be, but in the end fun was had by all.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good children's book, something to be read to the 4-6 year old, and older to read themselves. Simple and understandable to the age groups. One of a series of books with Mr Putter and his cat Tabby as the main characters.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is dear Mr. Putter and Tabby his cat and the baseball game played here will probably be funnier to older adults than to children of a beginning to read age who will miss some of the human. This game is like t-ball for senior citizens.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Mr. Putter and Mrs. Teaberry join an elders baseball team, Mr. Putter is sure that Zeke is going to ruin it for them since he keeps grabbing the ball and running away with it. But Mr. Putter is in for a delightful surprise.

[Cheryl A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. I don't particularly like sports, but since my husband is now retired, I sure can empathize with the desire to counter the 'too much napping' pitfall. I need to reread these, and find out of there are any others that are new to me....

[Pam Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Mr. Putter & Tabby series. The stories have simple problems and always end with a wonderful resolution. This book's ending is great with both text and picture!

[Diana Pettis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big fan of this series. I enjoyed the latest adventure of Mr. Putty and Tabby.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think we need a sport.

[Milton Public Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can old folks still play baseball? Yes they can, with some help from funny animals.
A little patronizing to old people, perhaps.

[DaNae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my, this is a fun series. Side character Zeke steals the show everytime.

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, it had to happen. After more than twenty years in print and almost two dozen books in the series, there had to come a misfit. This was not my favorite Mr. Putter book. The plot was even sillier than usual and the theme was less honoring to old age than previous books, more stereotypical. This series has always been outstanding for its ability to carry a main character in his seventies and make him relatable to young people who can barely read. It had some humor, but for me it fell flat. If you aren't familiar with the series, please pick a different adventure. If you are, read this one for fun, then reread an old favorite.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually love these books, but this one fell flat. Maybe it’s better if you love baseball.

[Kirk]

Hahahaha...my favorite one so far!

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book in this series! Mr. Putter and Tabby join the neighbors at a baseball game for seniors. Lots of fun & naps!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one.