Toot & Puddle: You Are My Sunshine

Toot & Puddle

by Holly Hobbie, Nick Sullivan (Reading)

It's a glorious day in Woodcock Pocket. The sun is shining, the birds are singing . . . and Toot is moping. So, Puddle makes Toot's favorite dessert at dinnertime, takes him out for a little adventure, and even throws a party, but nothing seems to cheer up his friend. Then a big thunderstorm with lots of mud rocks Woodcock Pocket and changes everything. With light-hearted humor and exquisitely detailed watercolor paintings, Holly Hobbie tells the story of two pigs and their enduring friendship.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Fiction, Emotion, Kids, Storytime

Audiobook

First published September 1, 1999

About the author

Birthed with the name of Denise Holly Ulinskas in 1944, Holly Hobbie first sold her distinctive artwork of the little cat-loving girl who carries herself in a rag dress and giant bonnet. It wasn’t until she married Douglas Hobbie in 1964 when she named her originally nameless character after her.
When the first images of the rag-clothed little girl came to the public’s consciousness, the character has been nothing but the most common design chosen to grace greeting cards. When the girl’s popularity started to soar high, that’s when people started to adopt the name “Holly Hobbie” in reference to the character’s creator.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh so perfect for me. Love the art, the friendship, as always. In fact, I picked this up based just on the series and title, as "You are my Sunshine" is one of my favorite old songs. But then I saw it was about moping, and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to see if anything 'cured' Toot. Well, thankfully, nothing really did.

Sometimes we just feel blue, and sometimes the oddest things can pivot us out of our funk... thank you Holly Hobbie for sensitively acknowledging that truth!

[Shiloah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such gorgeous illustrations! Reminds me of Pooh somewhat.

[Sharon Barrow Wilfong · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you do when your good friend is depressed. Puddle struggles to find out. A poignant story about just being there in the dark times.

[Fjóla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I SO know how he is feeling, Toot, in this book. I felt the same way when I moved to always sunny San Diego. We all need a little storm in our life now and then to clear the air and make the world seem "crisp and new". I love the original Toot & Puddle books, and this one is probably one of my favorites.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one kids book that adults could greatly benefit from. The underlying themes (companionship in the midst of a low time, friendly attempts that don't resolve the problem, and accepting someone when they're not quite themselves) don't get so serious that Hobbie can deliver joy through her cast of pigs and skillful illustrations (see the 2-page spreads near the end of the book of Toot out in a rainstorm). Nicely depicts the difficult and necessary task of being glad to be with someone as they "weather a storm".

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this was a cute book showing how sometimes we need to give our friends some space and let them have some time for themselves. Sometimes as friends we try to help our friends, but sometimes they just need some time on their own and it is important for not only adults, but children to understand that as well.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

45 months - sometimes you just need a big storm to wash all your troubles away and start fresh. As always Toot and Puddle is an enjoyable read.

[Charity Yost Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

a fun little book about cheering up a friend when he's in a bad mood

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe this will be the Toot & Puddle picture book that wins me over.

I certainly like the words "You are My Sunshine." This is the title to a song that was a hit... in 1940. Still popular when I was picture book age. In fact, if you ask nicely, I can sing you a couple of verses. (Only the gist is a little too mournful for today's tender poppets.)

Understatement of the Year, "Toot Was Moping"

Although the illustration for this is adorb, just like all the pictures in this book, Toot doesn't just look a little "Mopey." I've never seen a pig look so distraught! Scary!

Yet there is a certain gentle humor to the dialog. And the book does get funnier as it goes along.

Finally, Ah, The Pathetic Fallacy to the Rescue!

Now that misery has expressed itself through weather, what do you wanna bet that Toot's misery will automatically be cured.

Seriously, I do like this picture book. Finally a Toot & Puddle creation that I actually like. FIVE STARS for sure!

[Luisa Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ages: 4 - 8

Cleanliness: a pig is mopey for several days - the rain and thunderstorm makes him happy.

**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it!
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[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do like this series. The stories always put a smile on my face. They aren't overly complicated. And T&P generally appreciate the little things in life.

But what happens when Toot feels glum? Why Puddle tries to help, of course, but nothing seems to work. Friendship. And being present in times of need.

I may have to leave this book propped up on the counter for a few days just so I can admire the art.

[Ryan Pfeiffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has everything: Gorgeous illustrations, Frog and Toad vibes, a parrot blowing bubbles, a place called "Woodcock Pocket", crippling depression, Ginny, Otto, Phil; Everything! Don't quite understand the ending but I trust it. Beautiful book.

[Clwseattle · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Grandson loves the Toot and Puddle books. Toot and Puddle: You are My Sunshine is no exception

[Gracie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really cute book. It gives a good message about how what you may be feeling right now is not how it will always be and something will come along to make it better.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes we just get in a mood and we can't get out of it.

[Andrea Renfrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a longtime favorite in our house and it never gets old. I love Holly Hobbie so much.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love how this book shows that sometimes we mope around and different things get people back to a state of happy - and that's okay.

[Sarai · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Kirkus Reviews
Puddle is concerned about his good friend, Toot, who has a severe case of the doldrums. While recognizing that "everybody mopes sometimes," Puddle still wants to cheer up his buddy, attempting everything from five-berry cobbler to a wild boat ride down the rapids. Yet even an impromptu party with their friends fails to elicit any excitement from the melancholy pig. Only the passing of time and a raging thunderstorm finally alter Toot's dolorous mood. Hobbie deftly explores the neglected subject of sorrow, making clear to children that it's okay to be downcast for no discernible reason. Although Puddle's well-intentioned efforts are seemingly unsuccessful, what does succeed is that Puddle is perfectly in tune with his friend, convincing Toot and readers that they are not alone and that they will be loved even when they are not "up." Gentle watercolors add a light touch to Toot's malaise without compromising the compassion found in this graceful treatment of a delicate issue.

This was a very sweet look at friendship. Puddle is loyal and tries to help in the ways he knows best. Toot just feels blue. I thought the thunderstorm was symbolic of a good crying jag, which always makes you feel better. :) Wonderful art work, as always.

Recommended for ages 4-8

[Alyse Erickson · Rating 3 out of 5]

How refreshing to find a friendship book where friends' actions aren't always the cure-all needed to cheer you up. Sometimes it's friends leaving you alone to weather your own storms, and then being there for you afterward. This is a true life lesson that I learned later in life. Deep stuff for a picture book, yet the watercolors are wholly sunny and charming. Puddle and Tulip are very worried when normally upbeat Toot gets down in the dumps, and they try just about everything they can to cheer him up. In the end, however, it comes down to Toot needing to come out of his funk on his own, but maybe his friends helped more than they thought.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Puddle and Tulip are very worried when normally upbeat Toot gets down in the dumps, and they try just about everything they can to cheer him up. In the end, however, it comes down to Toot needing to come out of his funk on his own -- but maybe his friends helped more than they thought.

I probably would hesitate to pick this one for to read for a large group again, because I felt that some of the illustrations and story just weren't coming across to some of the kids. But I really love this story and I have huge affection for Toot and Puddle.

[Xisa Dove · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a sunny day in Woodcock Pocket, Puddle was in a good mood,but Toot was moping. Puddle tried to cheer him up. Puddle took him on an adventure down the rapids,fed Toot five-berry cobbler, and arranged to play hide and seek with his friends, but Toot was still moping. Finally, a storm came in and after it passed, Toot was happy again. All it took was a little bit of rain. Toot and Puddle were depicted as two cute little pigs. The story is adorable and would be a great book at story time with the kids.

[Kati · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books are worth the read just for the illustrations. They are always marvelous. That being said, I wasn't crazy about the story for this one. It was great for an adult or an older child but it was hard for my 3 and 5 yr old to understand what was wrong with Toot. He was depressed without a reason and Puddle just couldn't cheer him up; He had to snap out of it himself. We own it and my kids never ask to read this one.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why haven't I seen these earlier? My kids & I fell in love w/ Toot & Puddle. Toot is very adenturous & always on the go to journey out in the world while Puddle is very happy adventuring at home. It is great to see the dynamics of the two of them together enjoying both together and apart. A great book for us here at our house b/c we have these same dynamics going on with all of us and our temperments / needs.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Toot and Puddle are best of friends, they are opposites but love one another like best friends should. In this adventour Toot is 'blue' and mops around. Puddle does everything he can think of to make his friend happy. But Toot seems to just be 'blue' for no real reason... but then they figure out what makes the blues lift and they are all happy once again. And in the end Toot is thankful for his friendship. A sweet book of two friends.

[Jack]

Written and illustrated by Holly Hobbie (Denise Holly Ulinskas). Lovely watercolor illustrations, they can stand alone as wonderful framed pictures in a child's room. Toot is moping and Puddle tries many thing to cheer Toot up.
Age Range: 3 - 6 years
Grade Level: Preschool - 1
Lexile Measure: AD260L (adult directed)
Series: Toot & Puddle (Book 3)

[Read Ribbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toot and Puddle return in this book by Holly Hobbie. When Puddle finds Toot moping on a beautiful morning, Puddle works to find out why Toot is moping and how he can help his friend get in a better mood. In the end it literally takes a storm to clear the air for Toot to get back in a good mood reminding all readers that sometimes you or your friend might just be in a bad mood, and they just might need the time to work out what is bothering them.

[Shannon Considine]

In this story, Toot is sad, and Puddle does a multitude of things to help Toot feel better. Nothing seems to help until a rainstorm happens and then the sun comes out. Toot is then back to his happy self. This book can help students who may be having a bad day or time in their lives, providing trust in the future and appreciating the care and support from friendships.

[Eyehavenofilter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story about Toot and Puddle and their enduring friendship. Dispute a mudslide and an incredible rainstorm, Puddle saves the day with a lovely dinner and Toot's favorite desert, to make up for having a bad day.
With beautiful illustrations this is a charming story anyone would love to read to read.

[Rachel Brokaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a little bit more difficult of a read. It was not a tough book, but it was aimed for such young readers that it was a little difficult. If it was being read at bedtime it could be a really fun read to have with a young child. I probably would not use this book in anything higher than a kindergarten or first grade classroom.

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It teaches us that sometimes people are sad just because they are sad, and there's not a lot others can do about it...and that's okay. The pictures are wonderful...I my favorite is when toot is looking in the mirror. "maybe I'm too pink"