This was the very first Cynthia Rylant book I purchased for my 7 year old daughter and after reading it together several times, I bought all of the other Mr. Putter and Tabby books. It is easy to read, and very, very funny. The illustrations are great, very entertaining and whimsical. Thoroughly enjoyable!!!

This is another winner from the "Mr. Putter and Tabby" series. Old Mr. Putter and his old cat like to sit and watch the snow, but they must act soon if they want to think of something to give their nice neighbor, Mrs. Teaberry, for Christmas. Knowing her unlikely fondness for fruitcake, the intrepid pair decide to bake her one that wouldn't "break her toe if she dropped it." After much ado, they finally succeed in their effort, and fall asleep on Christmas morning in Mrs. Teaberry's house, having just delivered the cake. In the end, Mr. Putter goes home with "a very nice toaster that sang 'America the Beautiful' when the bread popped up." This gentle, subtle humor runs throughout the book and goes well with the colorful, expressive illustrations. Mr. Putter's persistence in trying to bake a cake is admirable. Furthermore, like many good Christmas books, this one shows the importance of giving. A fine book for kids who are just beginning to read.

The Mr. Putter and Tabby series are the sort of books that I would have loved to have when I was a beginning reader. I know that I would have read them over and over again to no end, even once they began to fall apart from constant use. That's why I am so glad that Mr. Putter and Tabby are around now while my youngest brother is learning to read. The non-repetitious (words are repeated, but not enough to become explicit), non-rhyming storytelling contained within the books makes them a pleasure to read continually, unlike many other easy-reader books. And in my opinion, the Mr. Putter and Tabby books are a step in front of Ms. Rylant's Henry and Mudge collection, due to the fact that, in their own way, they create an appreciation for the elderly as the reader comes to love Mr. Putter, the aging main character whose only companion is his cat, Tabby.

In Mr. Putter and Tabby Bake the Cake, Christmas is soon approaching, and Mr. Putter must decide what to give Mrs. Teaberry, his fruit-cake-loving next-door neighbor. Mr. Putter does not understand how anyone could enjoy a fruit cake, and so he sets out to make Mrs. Teaberry a "light and airy" cake for Christmas, one that "could not break her toe if she dropped it." Young readers will follow along with Mr. Putter and his good cat Tabby as they try to make Mrs. Teaberry's cake, from start to finish. Mishap prevails, leaving you to wonder if they will ever get through in time. It all adds up to a cheery Christmas story about giving and the saying, "It's the thought that counts!"

Mr. Howard's cartoon-style illustrations greatly enhance this wonderful story, which is written in such a format to be used as either a 3-chapter book for the beginning reader, or a bedtime story that is longer in length. Either way, the Mr. Putter and Tabby books would be a great find for emerging readers' shelves. Like having a kindly old grandpa next door, they only make life richer!

I WAS LOOKING FOR A GIFT FOR MY 2 YR OLD DAUGHTER AND I ENDED UP BUYING THIS FOR MYSELF. IT IS LYRICAL AND INSPIRATIONAL. IT REALLY SPOKE TO ME PERSONALLY BUT ITS ELEGANT AND DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE WOULD MAKE A GREAT GIFT.

I love this book. My family uses it at dinnertime for prayers!!
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I love reading this book to all of our children: from the 4 year old to the newborn. It has a rich text with wonderful images for each day of the week. I think everyone should end and begin their day with the kind, welcoming thoughts this book evokes. Highly recommended.

My three year old daughter Serena loves this book, we've read it and our two other Mr.Putter and Tabby books every night since we got it. she always laughs at mTabby's pink whiskers. This series of books is fun to learn to read from and a frolic for everyone.

My children, ages three and five, adore Mr. Puuter and Tabby, and I believe this is Ms. Rylant's funniest rendition of their adventures so far. When the box arrived, I read the book alone because I couldn't stand to wait. Ms. Rylant uses a nice collection of short and medium-length words for beginning readers, and the story rollicks along. Mr. Howard's illustrations capture the subjects' expressions beautifully. We checked these books out of the library so often that we finally ordered some to keep.

My kids, ages 3 and 6, loved this book! We were all laughing out loud not only at the premise of the story, but at the illustrations, too. My 6-year-old giggled all the way through the book looking at the expressions on Tabby's face.

Cynthia Rylant has a unique talent for pulling on our heartstrings and tickling our funny bones.

These books are such gems, and Poppleton in Fall is another one. We love these books. They are funny, orginal and very entertaining, great for boys and girls and parents will enjoy reading them as well!

Our names are Anthony, Janae, Danielle, and Nicholas. We are 2nd graders from Lockport, NY. We have read all of the Poppleton books with Ms. Fletcher. The book we liked best is Poppleton in Fall. The characters are Poppleton, Cherry Sue, and Zacko. Anthony's favorite part is when Poppleton stormed out the door. Janae's favorite part is when Poppleton went to the pancake breakfast. Danielle's favorite part is when Poppleton met the geese. Nicholas liked the part when Poppleton ate the pancakes for breakfast. We hope Cynthia Rylant writes a lot more Poppleton books!

I am a 2nd grader at an elementary school in Lockport, NY. My name is Anthony. I have read all of the Poppleton books. My favorite book is Poppleton in Fall. The characters are Poppleton, Cherry Sue, and Zacko. The best part is when Poppleton stormed out the door. I hope Cynthia Rylant writes a lot more Poppleton stories!

"But I'll Be Back Again" is the autobiography of Cynthia Rylant, who writes books for young people. In BIBBA, Rylant recalls her childhood and adolescence in West Virgina. The book opens with her mother's separation from Cynthia's alcoholic father. Rylant goes on to discuss her extended family, her friendships, her heroes, her youthful sexual awakening, etc.

One intriguing aspect of the book is the way Rylant reveals how people and issues from her childhood eventually were reflected in her works of fiction. This is a short book, but well complemented by 16 pages of photos and documents from Rylant's childhood. Rylant's style is frank and direct, yet also demonstrates grace and tenderness. Overall, a fine book.

If you loved sharing Cynthia Rylant's Henry and Mudge books with your kids, do yourself a favor and read this memoir of growing up in Appalachia. I was delighted to find Ms. Rylant's talent for telling tales of simple magic at work again in this personal story. You might also enjoy reading Missing May, and CYnthia Rylant's other books for older children and young adults. She is a very special writer whose writing for kids is clearly not her only gift.

Focusing almost exclusively on her childhood and adolescence, Rylant describes growing up in the small town of Beaver, West Virginia. She was abandoned by her beloved father, an alcoholic, at age three, and sent to live with her grandparents between the ages of four and eight, while her mother went to nursing school. The heartbreak of losing her parents so young is the reason she became a writer: to help her make sense of life. Rylant discusses her passion for the Beatles, Bobby Kennedy, and kissing. A sensitive, often humorous piece of self-revelation by a fine writer. Includes personal photos and drawings that evoke the Beatles era in a scrapbook style.

It's true, my six-year-old loves this book. The truly great thing about it, though, is that it is thoroughly entertaining for the adults reading along with her. Everyone who has ever loved a cat, regardless of their age, should read this book. It's priceless.

My daughter is a beginning reader and loves all of the Mr. Putter and Tabby books, but this one is--by far--her favorite. It is endearing, tender, and funny, too. She reads it over and over, often laughing so hard at the events and characters' expressions, that she can't even read for a moment or two. All of these Rylant series books--and this one in particular--have really been a boost to her enjoyment of reading. I'm sure they would be for any 6-8 year old.

This is the best one yet! The story is so funny and original and the illustrations are fantastic. Simply adorable! The love Mr. Putter has for his cat was evident in the tender way he reacted to and coped with her "problem."

Author Cynthia Rylant and illustrator Barry Moser were both reared in Appalachia, and they are completely in sync on this book. The calm, clear-eyed text and the evocative watercolor paintings balance and enhance each other beautifully.

Rylant doesn't shy away from the harder truths of Appalachian living. About coal mining, she writes, "Many [Appalachians] are coal miners because the mountains in Appalachia are full of coal which people want and if you are brave enough to travel two miles down into solid dark earth to get it, somebody will pay you money for your trouble." On the facing page from this plainspoken truth is a haunting Barry Moser watercolor of a green-clad coal miner, his eyes weary and his skin gritty with coal dust, his lunchpail resting beside him.

The beauties come through, too. Rylant writes, "Morning in these houses in Appalachia is quiet and full of light and the mountains out the window look new, like God just made them that day." Throughout the book is a sense of quiet and purpose and appreciation for a way of life most of us will never know. It's a moving and transfixing read.

Cynthia Rylant has once again captured the true spirit of the Appalachian culture. Her descriptions are right on target. Many of us, who live in this wild and wonderful country, know folks just like those she introduces to us in all of her stories. The significance of this book, for me, is to keep alive the warm, wonderful spirit of this amazing culture she so colorfully shares with readers. I'm giving this book to children and adults as well.

This book is wonderful! I read it to my class to help them understand what life was like in the Appalachian Mountains compared to their life in Chicago. My students were spell-bound, held by the wonderful descriptions and beautiful illustrations. They really understood that there are many different cultures within our nation!

All of the books in this series are really just sweet. As a librarian, it is refreshing to find a series that I can whole-heartedly recommend. (It gets 4 instead of 5 stars because, unlike the authors marvelous Henry & Mudge books, you cannot recommend them to everyone). This is Jane Austen for third graders!

I LOVE this book! I did a literature box on this book for a class and fell in love with the characters. It's about 3 cousins who live w/ their aunt for the summer while their parents are on a ballet tour. They go through different adventures, facing each one with courage, ingenuity, and wit. They contain great character ed models. I would recommend to any 1-6 grader(especially girls) who like a good read.

This book is a charming ,warm story that is funny! The minute I finished, I wanted to read it again. I would give this book a five anyday! Lily ,Tess and Rosie are great charactors and I think Cynthia Rylant is an all time favorite author.

This was a good book about a man who grew up in Indiana. He moved to New York. He hated his home in New York. But then he finds a place that reminds him of his old home in Indiana. I recommend this book for all people because it had a lot of interesting topics and good describing words.

Slomen Singer dreamed for things he could not have. During the 1900's he lived in a mens hotel in New York City,and longed for a fireplace, cat, and love. Slomen Singer had no time and the hotel would not alow a cat or fireplace. One day he goes to a diner named West Way Cafe and meets someone named Angel. I recemmend this book to people who long for something but can only get it only in dreams and wishes.

Solomon Singer lives in a men's shelter in Manhattan's Upper West Side. Very little is known about Solomon's background other than he is an Indiana native. This, however, proves to be a very effective tool in the telling of this story.

Lonely, longing for the natural joys of birds and countryside as he knew in Indiana and a friendly person to talk to, Solomon takes to going for walks during the day. A creative man, he dreams of being able to paint the dingy walls at the men's shelter purple; he years for freedom of decision making that he does not have at the shelter.

Luckily for Solomon, he finds the Westaway Cafe, a friendly and fun place. A man aptly named Angel works at the Westaway and the two become instant friends. Angel listens to Solomon and genuinely cares about him. The question is, is Angel really an angel. Yes, he is!

This is a heartwarming, very moving story that will find a permanent place in the hearts of all who read and hear it. One of these days it will become a classic.

The dog Martha Jane is loved so much by everyone who comes to the bookshop where she lives,especially her owner. Soon her owner gets sick and needs a dog sitter. Everyone wants to watch Martha Jane. Who will she choose? I would recommend this book to 3-7 year olds who want to know who will be chosen to watch Martha Jane.

There was- one dog and one girl. They had a picnic. They would take martha Jane to the dentist and take her to the book shop.The owner helped Martha Jane when she needed help to finf the books. Martha Jane loved her owner. The owner really loved her job and really loved her dog more. I would recommend this book to any young boys and girls because it was a very happy story.

This is another wonderful children's book that my kids want me to read again and again. It has beautiful illustrations and the point of the story is made in such a way that children can easily understand. I highly recommend this book.