What's interesting to me about this book, it's one of the few children's books that don't have any 'children' characters. Basically, it's the story about a lonely woman finding a dog, but, like all great books, there's all kinds of other things put in on top of that - old age, death, the memory of good friends and the lesson that you have to be willing to risk and lose in order to love and be happy.

Cynthia Rylant has written a very special book here and I urge you to get this book. You will not be disappointed.

In Mr. Putter and Tabby Pick the Pears, the fourth book in the series, Mr. Putter attempts to pick the pears from the tree in his backyard. The ailments that come with old age try to keep him from accomplishing his task, but Mr. Putter soon comes up with a witty and humorous solution that will have everyone laughing while they continue turning pages to see how it all ends.

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!

My son loved all the descriptions of "juicy things"...apple cider, apple pie, pear jelly, apple turnovers. Every time we read this book, he wants to make a different "juicy thing".

I love the comfortable companionship between Mr. Putter and Tabby, as well as the wonderful drawings. This book makes me want to check out the other Mr. Putter and Tabby books!

In Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea, the first book in the series, Mr. Putter comes to know Tabby. During the first chapter, Mr. Putter expresses the feelings of loneliness and the desire for companionship that the elderly so often have. Thereafter, he chooses to adopt a cat, and the story continues to describe the affection they gain towards each other.

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, opening into a possible discussion with your child about the significance of friendship in the elderly person's life. 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!

This book should help any very young child who has lost or is about to lose a pet. Actually it might be a good idea to read while while the pet is still healthy--parents, too!

Although there is a lot of imagination (as to how God runs this heaven, dogs sleeping on clouds, etc) in this it is done so well it makes us all feel good.I would like to take exception to that one professional reviewer's opinion re 'faulty theology' that pets might visit here from the other side because they don't have an afterlife. If she thinks that animals don't continue after death she might consult her Bible, which says something quite different. They do. And some do, indeed, 'visit' with their people (a book I recommend below goes into this in detail). Dog Heaven presents this in such a way that will not frighten children at all. It will make them hopeful.

Perhaps Cynthia Rylant had this experience, or knows someone who had. Although I take the position that people and their pets alike (as well as animals in general) will share the same Heaven, I can see no harm in a dog or cat heaven premise for young children. Parents can always say the child can visit, or that the animals can come and live in 'people heaven' if they wish to.

I would also at this time like to recommend two books:

The first is an absolutely heartwarming book, FOR EVERY DOG AN ANGEL; we learn that at birth a puppy's angel comes to stay with it throughout its life. When it is lucky enough to bond with its "forever person" the angel feels great joy. When it is time the "forever dog" passes over its angel that becomes its "angel bridge" to the other side. Sometimes it can cross back for a visit (the writer has had that comforting experience and she handles this idea in such a way as to bring great happiness at the thought to children.). When it is finally our time to cross over, we find our "forever friend" eagerly awaiting us.

The second is THE SOUL OF YOUR PET. This book gives solid evidence of animal afterlife; wonderful, credible recountings of interactions of people with pets that have passed on. WIll cause even the most hard-nosed skeptic to re-think his views . Biblically accurate as well

Warmly recommended.

Poppleton is great fun for kids and their parents. We can't wait for more Poppleton books to read. These are funny stories in the tradition of George and Martha by James Marshall.

Diane Goode's softly colored illustrations beautifully dovetail with the text, whether she's showing a river baptism, a nighttime trip to the "johnny-house" after too much fried okra, or a stint at the water pump. It's a lovely ode to the simple life, and to being happy with what you have instead of worrying about what you don't have.

Everything great or small has it's beginning, and in the beginning of THIS book, which begins, in turn, the whole series, we meet our hero, Henry. Henry lives with mom and dad, but he really doesn't have any friends. No other children live on his block, he doesn't have any brothers or sisters. So, he asks for a dog. That dog is Mudge who swiftly goes from a teeny, handful-sized puppy to the 180-pound pooch we know and love through the rest of the series.

What makes H&M books so wonderful are the bright, simple illustrations that mirror the text and the easy realism of Mudge the dog. Unlike other fictional dogs, Mudge doesn't talk, walk about on his hind legs or save the universe: he is just a big, happy, loving pooch who, like dogs everywhere, is totally dedicated to his pal, Henry. He's like a real dog... a real BIG dog, but a real dog nonetheless. He falls asleep when he's bored, he follows Henry everywhere and is unhappy when Henry's not around, and occasionally he eats things he's not supposed to. Practically any child would love to have a companion like Mudge.

H&M are one of those rare types of books that easily fall between two categories: picture books and chapter books. They're well illustrated and the text is simple and easy to read, but the story is also divided up into chapters (usually three). This makes these books perfect for young readers who may feel that they are starting to move beyond picture books but may not be ready for full-blown chapter books with little or no illustrations. The stories are simple and comfortable and the stuff of everyday life, so a child doesn't need to have a great deal of worldly experience climbing mountains or leaping tall buildings in a single bound to see that reading can be fun.

If you start here with Henry & Mudge, by all means, don't stop here! Go on to enjoy all the other adventures that these two share! You and your children will never be disappointed!