Toot & Puddle: I'll Be Home for Christmas: Picture Book #5

This is the sweetest Christmas book I've seen in a long time. Toot is stuck trying to get home to Woodcock Pocket in time for Christmas Eve, while Puddle is busy missing his friend and readying the house for Christmas. The illustrations are stunning and the story of their reunion is a treasure. A sure-to-be favorite for 3-7 year olds who are still enchanted with all of the simple joys and magic of Christmas, and a pleasure for adults to read over and over.

The same Holly Hobbie who enchanted us Baby Boomers with her greeting card illustrations in the 60's and 70's has turned her attentions to children's literature with equal success. Adults will enjoy this series as well as their children. Toot and Puddle are two pigs who live together and are the best of friends. Toot loves to travel, but Puddle is a homebody. Toot is off on his journey, far from home, while Puddle prepares for Christmas and Toot's return. Puddle even signs all the Christmas cards "and Puddle"! Children will love Toots struggle to return home in time for Christmas with the assistance of a bearded man with a sleigh!

What a charming story. I had to have it for our Christmas book collection for our 2 year old but (if you must know the truth!) I really bought it for my husband. When I read this story, it reminds me of how I feel when he's away and I'm getting ready to greet him when he returns. It's a simple love story hidden in the antics of the two adorable pigs, Puddles and Toot.

It's late December and homebody, Puddle is happy to get a postcard from his ever-adventurous friend, Toot, telling him all about his family reunion in Scotland. But most of all he's happy to hear that his dear friend will be home in time for Christmas. And as Puddle gets right to work on his cards, decorations, and fruitcakes, Toot makes his arrangements to come home to Woodcock Pocket, so that they can celebrate the holiday together. But the weather doesn't cooperate, and after many delays, Toot finally lands in Boston, late on Christmas Eve. With a snowstorm raging, he can't find a bus, train or even a taxi to take him home, and so begins to hike through the deep, cold snow. Just when he thinks he can walk no further, a kindly visitor comes to his rescue..... Holly Hobbie has written an enchanting and magical story that is sure to put everyone right into the holiday spirit. Her simple, charming text is only outdone by her marvelously expressive, and evocative artwork, and both youngsters and adults will enjoy finding all the special little details in each picture. Perfect for youngsters 3-7, Toot & Puddle: I'll Be Home For Christmas is a gentle, heartwarming, read-aloud story the entire family can share together, and a certain holiday classic, in the years to come.

This is perhaps the most visually beautiful, and certainly the best plotted, of the "Toot and Puddle" picture books. Holly Hobbie's ever-dazzling watercolors are back in force, and she really shines painting snow scenes. As in their first book, Toot the pig is off traveling while his best friend Puddle carries on at home, and the book skillfully cuts back and forth between their comic efforts. This time Toot is visiting an aunt in Scotland, who gives him her "lucky nut" as a keepsake. He sends word to Puddle assuring him that he will indeed be home to Woodcock Pocket for Christmas, whereupon Puddle happily busies himself with holiday decorating and baking. But Toot's plane is delayed by ice, and when he finally lands in Boston the whole city is shut down by snow. He bravely hikes off into the woods, but can only go so far. As he sits down to shiver, he notices the lucky nut and makes a wish upon it that he will make it home somehow. Soon he hears the jingle of bells... well, you can guess what happens! It is cleverly done, and never explicitly stated or known by the pigs who exactly gives Toot a lift in his sleigh. Naturally the pigs are delighted to be reunited at home, whereupon they hang the lucky nut on their tree and they go to bed on Christmas Eve knowing they will wake up together on Christmas. All in all, a satisfying and suitably magical book for kids (say, preschool through 2nd grade) - and for adults who like fine painting, and reunions too!