Toot & Puddle: The New Friend

Toot & Puddle

by Holly Hobbie

Opal's new friend Daphne seems to be the best at everything she does, but Toot and Puddle see another side of her.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Friendship, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 28, 2004

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

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t be a prima donna!

[Sarai · Rating 5 out of 5]

From School Library Journal
Hobbie's endearing pigs return in another tale about friendship. Opal returns to Woodcock Pocket to visit Toot and Puddle and brings along a much-admired companion. The self-deprecating Opal claims that Daphne is good at everything – much better than she could ever be. Wise Puddle assures her that "everyone is different and everyone is good at different things." Daphne is quite pleasant while proving that she can hold her breath longer, turn a cartwheel more flawlessly, and play the violin better than the others. She enjoys competition as long as she comes out on top, but when she doesn't, her little snout gets out of joint. She's petulant when Opal wins at cards, refuses to try new foods, and won't help out with the raking. However, when Daphne can't deal with a spider in the bathroom, it's little Opal who comes to the rescue. Daphne finally swallows her pride and openly admires Opal's bravery. Hobbie's signature watercolors are delightfully warm and appealing; October leaves on a sunny day almost warrant sunglasses, the glows from fireplace and lamps exude coziness, and the foursome's breath-holding contest is priceless. A gentle, entertaining lesson showing that everyone is special.

I especially liked about this one that Daphne admitted some faults at the end and told Opal how great she was. That was pretty cool. Again, loved the art.

Rated for preschool through Grade 2.

[Bailey Marissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick story about how each person has strength and weaknesses, so that not everyone is the same.

[FM Family · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this one. The illustrations of Toot and Puddle are so cute and cosy and have this nice evocative feel. But the story here felt weak. The friend was a real nuisance and while she sort of comes around in the end I felt like the annoyingness really overshadowed the story and there wasn't enough character development to make me understand why the behaviour and why the change. My 4 year old enjoyed it ok but I didn't enjoy reading it so tried to take it back to the library quickly.

[Shonna Gnahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toot and Puddle meet a new friend that is talented and good at so many things! Is there anything she cannot do? This book emphasises that everyone is different and good at different things. Toot and Puddle soon realize that one's talents can just be what another friend needs and that friendships celebrate everyone's differences.

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

I love how this book shows that when new people come on the scene it is easy to see their strengths, especially when their strengths are different from our own. And I love that this book reminds us that we have our own strengths too that others admire in us and wish for. I love how this book shows that each person has strengths and weaknesses.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some ideas about friendship ... how does a friend behave? What do you do if you don't like how someone is behaving? Here are 4 little pigs? What do you like about each of these little pigs? Who do you think would be a good friend?

[Clwseattle · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Toot & Puddle: The New Friend our piglet hero's are as cute and charming as ever, making for a gentle bedtime story.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Opal visits Toot & Puddle and brings her new friend Daphine - who is a bit of a prima donna, but is soon brought off her high horse unexpectedly.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable story. Love Toot and Puddle! Favorite line: "Everyone is different and everyone is good at different things," Puddle told her.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are making our way through this series and I just love the illustrations!

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

okay

[sincerely · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly this was a drag? What happened? Pass.

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

*2.5

[jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read in the Toot and Puddle series. As of yet, both have really been Opal stories, which is okay, but I'm interested in seeing a story where Toot and Puddle go to another country. I enjoy how these books are subtle. Most young children's material has the poor behavior, solution, and lesson painfully clear. However, these books do not. Opal's envies her friend Daphne, but then starts to see how her behavior is annoying. The two even have a fight. But a small incident with a spider rights things. Daphne isn't taught to act differently, but instead the two girls learn to look at each other a little differently. There isn't a big reconciliation or apology. I like this subtlety, but I wonder if many children miss it and need to talk about the book afterward. Cute illustrations, too.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

May very well be the best T&P, or at least second best, imo. Yet once again, the piglet's can't keep their clothes on, and yet don't have girl or boy parts. I do prefer stories where the critters have something in common with the animals that inspired them, like Angus and Sadie, in which the dogs, though probably smarter than real dogs, are still doggy. Still, I can't stop reading Hobbie's books... so sweet.

[Children's Literature Project · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Opal visits Toot and Puddle, she brings her friend Daphne. Opal thinks that Daphne is perfect. She does perfect cartwheels. She jumps rope and stands on her head perfectly. She plays the violin perfectly. Opal thinks Daphne is better at everything. Toot and Puddle show her that is not true.

Classroom uses:
- teach beginning, middle, and end
- teach predictions
- Teach connections
- lesson on accepting who you are

DRA: unknown
GLE: 2.5

[Katt Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful! While the storyline about the child feeling like they're nothing special compared to a friend is common, the way the story is told isn't. Here we have the beautiful Toot and Puddle characters and pictures, illustrating that there's a lot special about each of the characters. And the last page, showing Opal's return to confidence and contentment of who she is really makes the story. I wish there were more than 5 stars to give these books!

[Cecily · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book Opal's return to self confidence and understanding about Daphne's self centeredness isn't as clear as it could be. I don't necessarily want Hobbie to be explicit in saying that Opal realized that Daphne wasn't as wonderful as she (Opal) had earlier thought, but I would like more self understanding than gazing at the stars.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sing, dance, play a violin, draw, just have a hobby. It doesn't matter if you are not the best, winning isn't everything. On the other hand if you have too many things in your schedule, you might become a primadonna, and start neglecting your friends. I can't believe how brilliant and sweet this story is.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daphne is a little pig who is great at everything she comes across. Her friends Toot and Puddle realize that their friend actually is not what they originally thought. When Daphne does not like something, she shows another side of her personality which is negative and bluntly rude. This children's story teaches humility and the love of friendship through a different view point.

[Alexandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you do when your new friend is less than nice? This book helps kids learn the difference between being nice to someone and letting them walk all over you. It's a fine line and not one that's easy to walk, and I absolutely endorse books that help people figure that out. The art style was cute and the writing standard for a kids book.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

35 months - O likes this series and found them on the shelf in the library and wanted to take them all home. We borrowed two. Prima Donna was not top on my list for words to teach my child but that's what Opal's friend Daphne is. Cute story with sweet illustrations.

[Gwennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hah! What a hideous child Daphne was...reminds me of the reason I teach my own girls that it is just as important to be a good guest as it is to be a good hostess.

[Temoca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Toot and Puddle. This isn't my favorite Toot and Puddle story, but still a good one to share with my niece.

[Crystal's Bookish Life · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVE these charming characters! Holly's illustrations are beautiful, I love the way she uses light and seasons to help tell Toot and Puddle's story.

[K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imitation is the fondest form of flattery. Opal learns that when her new friend appears to be a 'copy cat' at first.

[Elsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to live in Woodcock Pocket and have a friend like Opal. Or be a friend like Opal. Or both. I love this book.

[Željko Filipin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everyone is good at something and not so good at something else.