Mr. Putter & Tabby Fly the Plane
By Cynthia Rylant
The Story
An older man who never outgrew his love of toys brings home a toy biplane that really flies, and his cat Tabby — who dreads anything airborne — braces for an unwanted adventure.
Why It's Special
For the grown-up-at-heart kid who thinks toys don't have an expiration date, and for anyone who's watched a beloved pet panic over something silly, this one lands close to home.
- Big idea: Loving something silly and small is worth it, even when the people (or cats) you love don't feel the same way about it.
- Vibes: Gentle, funny, unhurried — cozy chapter-book energy with a lot of warmth between the lines.
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy quiet, funny stories about everyday friends
- like animal characters with big personalities
- are working on understanding that others feel differently than they do
- respond well to calm, easy-to-follow chapter book pacing
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: Why do you think Mr. Putter wanted a toy biplane so badly?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Tabby felt when she saw the toy plane fly?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever loved something that scared someone else, like a pet or a sibling?
- Imagination: If you got a toy that could really fly, where would you want it to go?
- Character connection: What do you think makes Mr. Putter and Tabby such good friends, even when they don't agree?
