From: Steven
Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 11:09:17 PST

Cindi O'Connor's comments about how "the words work together" is just right. "Henry and Mudge" and "Mr Putter" have the feel of sophisticated language...I suspected that when I looked closely I'd spot some of those hard-to-read words that aren't supposed to be in easy readers. But no, the words are simple, she just puts them together differently. They don't have the stilted, repetitive rhythm that many easy readers do. I'm also curious about what others think of the "Mr Putter and Tabby" books. You don't find many books for that age group about older adults who don't have any interaction with children. Not that much happens in them...she lets the mood and the characters keep the interest, which is also unusual for easy readers. But when Mr. Putter shows that he still has a little bit of kid in him (slingshotting apples and pears, for instance) it's delightful, and even exciting. I enjoy them myself, but they certainly don't fly off the shelves the way "Henry and Mudge" do. My guess is some kids find them too tame, but those who like them like them a lot. You kind of have to be like Tabby, who
"liked excitement. But she could wait for it."

-------------------------------------------------------Steven Engelfried, West Linn Public Library 1595 Burns Streeet West Linn, OR 97068 ph: 503e6x57 fax: 503e6'46 e-mail: steven at westlinn.lib.or.us
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Received on Mon 06 Jul 1998 02:09:17 PM CDT