Toot & Puddle: You Are My Sunshine

Rating:
Summary: A perfect story about friendship for all ages
Review: I was looking for a gift for my god daughter and my best friend recommended the Toot and Puddle series. She already had the first book and raved about it to me. Not only did I purchase this book for one smart little girl who loves Toot and Puddle, but I purchased two more books from the series for my baby on the way. What I absolutely loved about this book is the extent of friendship between these two adorable pigs, one that reminds me of the deep and loving relationship i share with my best friend.I was so impressed with Holly Hobbie's portrayal of this beautiful relationship, as well as her amazing illustrations that I would recommend this particular book and the rest of the series to children of all ages as well as the adult population, for the joy I got out of it is inexplicable. I can happily say that my best friend and I not only share a love for Toot and Puddle, but that our babies will grow up appreciating its beauty and story about friendship too.

Rating:
Summary: Uplifting - a Beautiful Book
Review: This was the first Toot and Puddle we ever saw, and it's still our favorite. The message(s) is (are) important - and all too rare in children's books - that we aren't all cheerful and happy all the time, and that's OK, that we all need the steady faith and support of dear friends, that STORMY weather isn't necessarily "bad" weather and can be renewing. We adore Toot and Puddle and Holly Hobbie's art, which I would happily display in my living room if I could find some prints from the world of Toot and Puddle.

Rating:
Summary: Uplifting - a Beautiful Book
Review: Though the illustrations are typically charming (don't miss the pigs' turtlenecks), this book lacks the read-aloud timing and rhythm of the first Toot and Puddle book. My daughter loves predictability, but it is hard to guess what will be happening on the next page. Also the inclusion of a third major character (Tulip the parrot) precludes the back-and-forth rhythm that graced the first book.

Rating:
Summary: lacks the rhythm of the first "Toot and Puddle"
Review: Though the illustrations are typically charming (don't miss the pigs' turtlenecks), this book lacks the read-aloud timing and rhythm of the first Toot and Puddle book. My daughter loves predictability, but it is hard to guess what will be happening on the next page. Also the inclusion of a third major character (Tulip the parrot) precludes the back-and-forth rhythm that graced the first book.

Rating:
Summary: Toot & Puddle together again!
Review: Toot & Puddle are perfect porcine pals who, in their delicate way, teach us all that sometimes we're just out of alignment and that's OK.

On a beautiful, sun-shining morning in Woodcock Pocket, Puddle was out catching butterflies. The sun was shining, birds singing, flowers blooming and... Well, in the house, Toot was moping.

Like anyone who's ever had an off day, Toot can't quite explain what's the matter, nor does he particularly *feel* like explaining. SOMETHING'S clearly the matter, Puddle and Tulip the parrot can see that, because nothing seems to cheer him up--not the blue sky, not the clean air, not even "five-berry cobbler with heaps of whipped cream..." Well, the cobbler HELPS a bit, but the next day Toot comes shuffling across the yard, hands stuffed in pockets, floppy hat with equally floppy ears sticking out, half-heartedly kicking some stones.

His friends try to cheer him up. An adventure seems in order, but white water rafting proves to be not quite the right medicine for melancholy. Similarly, a picnic with friends and a game of hide-&-seek is fun for everyone except for Toot, who isn't in the mood to be "it". In short, nothing works and Puddle and Tulip are getting concerned, when a thunderous storm hits.

Toot, who is the only one who is NOT afraid, is out braving the storm in his yellow rain slicker on a beautiful 2-page illustration that itself makes the book worth reading. Lo', the next morning, a happy, smiling Toot comes marching through the puddles towards his friends who, lying in the grass, conclude that "sometimes you need a big whopping thunderstorm to clear the air."

While "You are My Sunshine" doesn't have quite the flow or action of "A Present for Toot", it is an immensely enjoyable book (I personally recommend collecting all three of Ms. Hobbie's works, and any more books to come). The pen & ink illustrations are astounding, and capture the feel of the character moods instantly. The blue sky, Puddle's exuberant jump with a butterfly net, frame his joy at simply being ALIVE on a wonderful day as much as the muted golds & yellows of Toot's room captures his moping, tired affect perfectly. ANYONE who's felt a little off-a little blue or down in the dumps-even on a beautiful day will deeply appreciate this book and it's final message that friends always care for friends, even when they're feelin' down.