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Mr. Putter & Tabby #4
Mr. Putter & Tabby Pick the Pears
It is fall and juicy things are growing in Mr. Putter’s backyard--apples, tomatoes, and pears. Mr. Putter dreams of all the juicy things he loves to eat, but most of all, he dreams of pear jelly. There’s only one problem--cranky legs keep him from climbing up to pick the pears. His ingenious solution will have young readers cheering him on.
44 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
7 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia Rylant
502 books866 followersAn 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
October 18, 2018
Excellent read! It’s so funny and such a cute read. I love this book and so is my son. He’s reading it for advanced reading test at school and I’m reviewing with him to make sure he remembers the story. Mr. Putter loves pear jelly but he’s getting old and his legs are cranky. He’s unable to climb up his ladder to pick the pears so he decides to make a slingshot to shoot them down. He uses apples to shoot but they ended up flying over the house. Highly recommended!!
June 9, 2008
Possibly one of the best beginner reader books ever written. I love the illustrations, and creative concepts used by Mr. Putter to get pears out of his tree.
January 23, 2023
outstanding. old man + old cat = perfect combo.
July 14, 2010
While I don't feel it is as strong as some of the other "Mr Putter and Tabby" books I've read, it's still a delightful read and full of humor. Mr. Putter so desperately wants to eat some pears, but finds his legs are too "cranky" to get up the ladder to pick them anymore. He is getting so old. This bothers him at first, until he remembers a fun toy from his childhood that helps him get the apples out of the tree--and helps him rediscover that one can be forever young at heart!
August 9, 2024
I think now I’d like to try pear jelly
February 25, 2024
Rylant is one of my favorite living authors of children’s books. I recently read her early middle grade/chapter series Rosetown and loved it, so then continued on a deep-dive of all the unread books I have of hers I’ve collected on my shelves. Mr Putter isn’t in that unread category — rather, this is a beloved series in my house that’s been read many times over. This is a favorite of the favorites and it always makes my son & I laugh. Time to pull them out for his younger sister!
August 25, 2017
My go to book every August! It's pear season here in Ohio and I love doing a pear story time with my preschoolers as I am tired to death of apples! This story is just way to fun!I love Mr. putter and his slingshot; so funny! And Mrs. Teaberry making all those apple goodies! And, of course, Tabby and Zeke just round out the well told tale.
July 8, 2018
I think it was funny that Mr. Putter forgot about the pears and slingshotted a bunch of apples into a different yard. Then the person that owned that yard came to Mr. Putter and she was holding a big basket full of apples that Mr. Putter slingshotted. Also, Mr. Putter said to Tabby that next time he's going to slingshot pears.
March 2, 2020
I've read almost all the Mr. Putter books, and even though I have really enjoyed them all, this one is by far my favorite! It is so funny!!
January 30, 2020
This is a fabulous series to read with kids. We have them all!
October 2, 2014
"Mr. Putter and Tabby Pick the Pears" was about an old man name Mr. Putter who had a cat which is Tabby. It was fall season and it was time to pick the apple and pears so that they can make apple pie, apple turnovers, and pear jelly. They were more excited about the pear jelly. Mr. Putter is very old so he couldn't climb the ladder because of his cranky legs. So they made a sling shot and tried to get the pears off the tree with apples. But the apples would sling across the tree and into the neighbors yard. He never was able to get the pairs off the tree but the neighbor from next door came over with apply pie and apple turnovers she made with all the apples he slung to her backyard.
I really enjoyed the author told the story. The author gave good detail in her words with telling the story. I feel like if there was no illustrations, I would be able to visualize the story as to what is going on. I like how the author broke the book up in 4 little chapters. The titles of the chapters have a great idea as to what was going to happen in each of them. For example, chapter 3 was "ZING". "ZING" gave an idea that he was going to make a way to get the pears off the tree by using a sling shot because I know that's the sound of it. I loved how Mr. Putter didn't give up on trying to get the pears off the tree just because he was old. I feel like the author did that to show children not to give up on things.
The illustrations were great on every page. The illustrations were looked sketched with color. The sketches had very good detail. I found it funny how the illustrator added long hair out of Mr. Putter's nose because that showed how he was an old man because typical old men have long hair coming out of their noses. I also noticed how the illustrator showed the motion of apple's moving by putting dotted lines between the sling shot and apple while the apple is in the air.
I really enjoyed the author told the story. The author gave good detail in her words with telling the story. I feel like if there was no illustrations, I would be able to visualize the story as to what is going on. I like how the author broke the book up in 4 little chapters. The titles of the chapters have a great idea as to what was going to happen in each of them. For example, chapter 3 was "ZING". "ZING" gave an idea that he was going to make a way to get the pears off the tree by using a sling shot because I know that's the sound of it. I loved how Mr. Putter didn't give up on trying to get the pears off the tree just because he was old. I feel like the author did that to show children not to give up on things.
The illustrations were great on every page. The illustrations were looked sketched with color. The sketches had very good detail. I found it funny how the illustrator added long hair out of Mr. Putter's nose because that showed how he was an old man because typical old men have long hair coming out of their noses. I also noticed how the illustrator showed the motion of apple's moving by putting dotted lines between the sling shot and apple while the apple is in the air.
March 23, 2016
#4 in the series
10/13: We started these years ago and have read them all. Now, even though the boys are older, we revisit them. We love all things "Mr. Putter & Tabby" around here. God bless Cynthia Rylant for writing a children's series featuring two elderly neighbors and their pets! This is our "fall" book. Also, while we love them all, this is one of our absolute favorites. Zing!
Amazon Book Descripton: Gr. 1-3.
His "cranky legs, cranky knees, cranky feet" prevent Mr. Putter from picking the pears from his tree. Improvising a slingshot from the elastic of underwear, he sets out to knock the pears off his tree by shooting fallen apples at them. His aim is way off, but all ends happily as a neighbor discovers the apples in her yard and brings cider, pies, and jellies to Mr. Putter.
The autumnal theme, a deft mix of slapstick and understatement, and a taut but colorful story will attract and satisfy beginning readers. Howard's ink-and-watercolor illustrations, reminiscent of James Stevenson's work, add character and sly humor to this latest Mr. Putter and Tabby adventure. Linda Perkins
10/13: We started these years ago and have read them all. Now, even though the boys are older, we revisit them. We love all things "Mr. Putter & Tabby" around here. God bless Cynthia Rylant for writing a children's series featuring two elderly neighbors and their pets! This is our "fall" book. Also, while we love them all, this is one of our absolute favorites. Zing!
Amazon Book Descripton: Gr. 1-3.
His "cranky legs, cranky knees, cranky feet" prevent Mr. Putter from picking the pears from his tree. Improvising a slingshot from the elastic of underwear, he sets out to knock the pears off his tree by shooting fallen apples at them. His aim is way off, but all ends happily as a neighbor discovers the apples in her yard and brings cider, pies, and jellies to Mr. Putter.
The autumnal theme, a deft mix of slapstick and understatement, and a taut but colorful story will attract and satisfy beginning readers. Howard's ink-and-watercolor illustrations, reminiscent of James Stevenson's work, add character and sly humor to this latest Mr. Putter and Tabby adventure. Linda Perkins
June 16, 2007
Omigoodness, they made more of these books. I mean after this one. I knew about this one. I read it as soon as I found out about it. I enjoyed it similarly as much as I enjoyed the first one. Oh, Mr. Putter and Tabby, you're a couple of pranksters. Adorable, old, well-illustrated, charming little pranksters.
It kind of ruined these books for me when I discovered that there was another series that's essentially the same story, but with a dog. It's called "Margie and Mudge" or something*. I didn't pay much attention, actually. I was trying not to pay too much attention, to be honest. Because I didn't want Mr. Putter and Tabby to be ruined. Oh, but nothing could ruin them. Who am I kidding? Mr. Putter and Tabby can never be ruined. They are too perfect. Oh, I must go find my copies and re-read them.
*Henry and Mudge. I checked. Nowhere near as cool-sounding as Mr. Putter and Tabby, though. Nothing ever is.
It kind of ruined these books for me when I discovered that there was another series that's essentially the same story, but with a dog. It's called "Margie and Mudge" or something*. I didn't pay much attention, actually. I was trying not to pay too much attention, to be honest. Because I didn't want Mr. Putter and Tabby to be ruined. Oh, but nothing could ruin them. Who am I kidding? Mr. Putter and Tabby can never be ruined. They are too perfect. Oh, I must go find my copies and re-read them.
*Henry and Mudge. I checked. Nowhere near as cool-sounding as Mr. Putter and Tabby, though. Nothing ever is.
July 6, 2012
The adventures of an arthritic old man and his old cat. It's charmingly funny. My son gets a huge kick out of them. The old man goes outside to pick pears, but finds he can't climb the ladder because he has "cranky" legs. So he decides to make a slingshot using elastic and a stick, and shots apples at the pear tree. But soon he's distracted by having so much fun with the sling shot, that he shoots away every apple from his yard for hours until he's out of apples. So the next day his old lady neighbor comes and tells him how she woke up to a yard full of apples and she doesn't even have an apple tree. He just says, "Amazing!" She's so excited about the apples that she bakes apple pies and strudels and makes apple cider and apple jelly and shares the bounty with him. So he decides that he'll wait until those pears fall out of the tree... and then will use his slingshot again.
December 7, 2017
Mr. Putter loves pear jelly and has a tree full of juicy pears. The problem is his "cranky" legs won't allow him to climb up the tree to get them. He and his cat Tabby solve the problem in a creative, imaginative, and funny way.
This is a delightful book that makes you want to cuddle up with a kiddo and read. Rylant's writing appeals to both young and old. Mr. Putter and Tabby Pick the Pears is another top-notch read from this amazing author.
Other books to read that connect with Mr. Putter and Tabby Pick the Pears:
Mr. Putter and Tabby Walk the Dog by Cynthia Rylant
Matilda's Cat by Emily Gravett
"ZING!!!!! The hard round apple went flying up, up, up."
This text could be used as a mentor text to show an author's use of onomatopoeia. It could also be used to inspire children to write about pets and the adventures they have together.
This is a delightful book that makes you want to cuddle up with a kiddo and read. Rylant's writing appeals to both young and old. Mr. Putter and Tabby Pick the Pears is another top-notch read from this amazing author.
Other books to read that connect with Mr. Putter and Tabby Pick the Pears:
Mr. Putter and Tabby Walk the Dog by Cynthia Rylant
Matilda's Cat by Emily Gravett
"ZING!!!!! The hard round apple went flying up, up, up."
This text could be used as a mentor text to show an author's use of onomatopoeia. It could also be used to inspire children to write about pets and the adventures they have together.
November 27, 2012
A kind elderly arthritic man, Mr. Putter, and his orange tabby cat, Tabby, an unlikely pair. Yet posses an inseparable bond. With a spunky neighbor, Mrs. Teaberry, and her bulldog Zeke.
Mrs. Teaberry has a knack for fixing Mr. Putter's problems. The foursome get through many adventures side by side. Cynthia Rylant brings these adventures and close friendships alive.
Fell in love with this book when I was in the fourth grade and my mom purchased it for me at the school bookfair. Initially I was just attracted to the cat keychain that came with it. But once my mom read it to me the first time I couldn't put it down. It was a great book to help with vocabulary and reading. The whole next year I carried it wherever I went, reading to whoever would listen and sometimes just to myself.
Mrs. Teaberry has a knack for fixing Mr. Putter's problems. The foursome get through many adventures side by side. Cynthia Rylant brings these adventures and close friendships alive.
Fell in love with this book when I was in the fourth grade and my mom purchased it for me at the school bookfair. Initially I was just attracted to the cat keychain that came with it. But once my mom read it to me the first time I couldn't put it down. It was a great book to help with vocabulary and reading. The whole next year I carried it wherever I went, reading to whoever would listen and sometimes just to myself.
February 4, 2016
Mr Putter and Tabby books are so neat. Stories about an elderly gentleman and his aged cat and his neighbor and her dog. In this one he wants to do his favorite thing he does in the Fall and that is pick his pears and make pear jelly. His body won't allow him to climb the latter. So he goes and makes a slingshot and uses his apples that have fallen to the ground with them they all land in his neighbors yard. she brings him all kinds of neat and wonderful things the next day. pies, jelly, etc. So he gets an idea and he uses his apples to knock his pears out of the tree into her yard. A very cute book.
March 20, 2008
I like when they got a slingshot and put an apple in and then shot the apple right over the pear tree, over his house, over the apple bush, into his neighbor's place, where it was so funny that time. She made apple pie and apple cider with cinnamon sticks in it. Well, I like when he did it all night and all day and he had cranky legs on the ladder. That's why he used a slingshot. Well, I like when he got an apple, then SHOT off the pears from the pear tree. And the pears landed in his neighbor's place. That's why slingshots are too funny to shoot things off your tree.
May 11, 2015
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!!!
November 22, 2019
Mr. Putter's cranky, old legs can't climb the ladder to pick pears for his pear jelly this year. He makes a slingshot and shoots apples at the pears to knock them down. The apple slingshot doesn't work, but he has so much fun that he keeps shooting anyway. The next morning he is in for a surprise when his slightly confused neighbor shows up with a feast made from all the fruit that mysteriously appeared in her yard. Mr. Putter decides that he will slingshot the pears to her yard when they fall too. Hee hee, Mr. Putter is so cute.
August 17, 2013
I love all Mr. Putter and Tabby books, but this is one of my favorite. They are so comforting and endearing to read. If you're having a bad day, they will make you smile as a bedtime story. I'm fortunate that my 5 year old and 8 year old seem to like them too, even though they are about an old man. You'd think they'd be bored! I don't know how Cynthia Rylant does it, but she makes her characters so appealing and sweet. The pictures by Arthur Howard are just fitting for the text too.
November 5, 2018
I love the Mr Putter books; we are slowly working our way through them.
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.
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.
February 17, 2017
This beginning chapter series is charming in every way!!!
March 5, 2017
Hilarious, could not stop laughing when reading it together as a family!
May 21, 2017
Clever, poignant, and sweet, and put me in the mood for pears.
December 28, 2017
There is a sling shot made from underwear- enough said!
July 2, 2018
Hilarious
September 17, 2018
This is my favorite one so far! So cute and pretty funny!
November 14, 2018
I was just reminded that this was the very first chapter book I read without any assistance. It made me tear up, I guess I'm feeling nostalgic.
December 28, 2021
Mr. Putter set his ladder against the pear tree but he couldn't get up the ladder.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews