Mr. Putter & Tabby Drop the Ball
By Cynthia Rylant
The Story
An older man and his cat nap far too much, so they join a baseball team with their neighbor and her rowdy dog — but creaky knees and canine chaos threaten every play.
Why It's Special
For the kid who thinks grown-ups should get in the game too, this one proves it's never too late to try something new — even if your knees creak.
- Big idea: Trying something new with friends matters more than being good at it.
- Vibes: Cozy, gently funny, unhurried.
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy gentle, funny stories about everyday life
- like animal sidekicks who steal the scene
- are working on trying new things even when it's hard
- respond well to calm, easy-to-follow chapter stories
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: Why do you think Mr. Putter and Tabby decided to join the baseball team?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Mr. Putter felt trying to play with creaky knees?
- Imagination: What do you think Zeke the dog might do on the baseball field?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever tried a sport or game that felt hard at first?
- Character connection: What do you like about Mr. Putter and Tabby's friendship with Mrs. Teaberry and Zeke?
