Mr. Putter & Tabby Spin the Yarn
#15 of 25 in Mr. Putter & Tabby Series
What’s inside...
Mrs. Teaberry announces that she's starting a knitting club, and Mr. Putter is happy to help out. But disaster strikes when Tabby and Zeke want to pitch in, too: Mrs. Fitzwater's sweater completely unravels, and the whole afternoon ends up in quite a tangle.
Discussion points
What do you think Mr. Putter and Tabby enjoy most about their adventures together?
How do you feel when you help someone else, like when Mr. Putter helps his neighbor?
Why is it important to spend time with friends and neighbors?
What can we learn from Tabby's reactions to different situations?
How would you handle a situation similar to one in the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book, ensuring a safe space for open conversation.
Link the story to real-life experiences, asking your child if they have ever felt similar emotions to those of Mr. Putter and Tabby.
Focus on the moral lessons from the story and discuss how these lessons can be applied in everyday life.
Ask your child to imagine alternate endings or different scenarios in the book, which will help them improve their creativity and problem-solving skills.
Before turning to these questions, have a casual summary talk about the book to ensure your child grasped the story well.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The value of friendship and community
Explanation: Mr. Putter and his cat Tabby engage with their neighbor Mrs. Teaberry and her dog Zeke, showcasing the deep bonds and support system among them.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of being a good friend and active member of their community, which can be applied by participating in group activities and offering help to friends and neighbors.
Example Lesson: Creativity and trying new things
Explanation: Throughout the story, Mr. Putter and friends take up knitting, an activity none of them are familiar with, illustrating the joy and excitement that comes from learning new skills.
Real-World Application: Encouragement for children to explore new hobbies or interests which aids in their cognitive and social development.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving and teamwork
Explanation: When challenges arise with their new hobby, the characters collaboratively find solutions, showing how teamwork can make overcoming obstacles easier and more enjoyable.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this lesson by working together with classmates on school projects or with siblings on household chores, reinforcing the value of cooperative problem solving.
Example Lesson: Persistence and patience
Explanation: The characters encounter difficulties with knitting but choose to persist, demonstrating the virtues of patience and perseverance in mastering a skill.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of not giving up easily, applicable to learning new subjects at school or improving at a sport or musical instrument.