Toot & Puddle: Puddle's ABC

Toot & Puddle

by Holly Hobbie

Otto wants to learn how to write his name, but he doesn't know the alphabet. So Puddle decides to teach him using his own original words and pictures.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction

48 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2000

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

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new favorite children's ABC book. Of course I'm already a pig fan but the illustrations are wonderful and it is amusing

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another solid entry in Hobbie's canon, this time featuring Puddle teaching his turtle friend Otto to write his name...and therefore spell. The alphabet is one of the most hilarious pairings of words plus images—the preposterous cluster of words then generates a very satisfying visual companion: "Itchy inchworm" or "Miss Mud in moonlight." And like all her books, Hobbie shoots them full with friendship and joy. This isn't one more alphabet book that cutely but didactically instructs its readers. Instead it pulls them into the fun of learning and enjoying words and the world around us they help us understand and describe.

[Clwseattle · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Grandson loves the Toot and Puddle books. Toot and Puddle: Puddle's ABC's is no exception.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh! Exceeded my expectations... I was assuming it was going to be a bare-bones or workmanlike exploitation of the delightful T&P books, but it actually has its very own charm and merits, and even a significant story. In fact, it's a valuable alphabet book even if one isn't a fan of T&P, because it explicitly explores the value of learning one's ABC's, and doesn't rely just on nouns (I particularly liked Pretty in Pink). That is to say, it's a fun educational resource, not an artsy-fartsy ABC book.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Puddle decides to teach Otto how to write his name. But soon discovers that Otto doesn't know the alphabet, so Puddle uses his painting skills to teach Otto the alphabet. This ABC book is a fun read to learn the alphabet while enjoying Puddle's art work, and a variety of words.

[Patrice]

BookTree
S&E liked

[Sierra · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book introduced letters and the alphabet and then went in to a couple different words that started with each letter. Although it’s a good read aloud book for pre-kindergarten students to familiarize themselves with letters of the alphabet and how to spell. It would be useful as an alphabet reference or a “tutor” type book but I wouldn’t read it to students older than kindergarten because by that time children should know their alphabet and be writing mini sentences! Puddle paints throughout the book while introducing the letters and words that start with those letters, while Otto the turtle is learning how to spell his name by himself. After a little while, Otto discovers and tells Toot that “did you know that toot is Otto spelled inside out?” Cute idea and way to engage students. However, I would not give this book high ratings because I felt that the illustrations were a bit plain in detail and colors although the pictures of the characters were unique and original due to the use of watercolors. Great to share with a child who is feeling rather overwhelmed with learning all those letters though. I just personally would have little use of this book in my future elementary classrooms. Good preschool book to have!

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun-to-read Toot & Puddle book. There are a lot of alphabet books out there, and this one ranks in the top tier. It's an alphabet book with a story, as Puddle the pig is teaching his turtle friend Otto the alphabet so that Otto can write his name. Each letter has an engaging picture and a short description. Rather than just one word per letter, most of them have phrases, like "crocodile crunching carrots" and "itchy inchworm". Does Otto learn enough to write his name? Not only that, but he makes an interesting discovery.

[JoAnna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another alphabet book I chose to read because I am planning on working with younger kids and would find these very useful! This book is full of pigs! One pig named Puddle is trying to teach his friend, Otto all the letters of the alphabet so he can spell his name! I would use this book in my own classroom when we are working on our names. Another one would be to show the students that there are many many ways to learn the letters of the alphabet!

[Kimbely Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Puddle, of Toot and Puddle fame, is called upon to teach Otto the turtle how to spell his name but first must teach him the alphabet. Puddle paints his way through the alphabet with wonderful pictures for each letter. This book is not only a journey through the alphabet, but a story as well. I would use this book to teach the kids how to write their name. I would also use it to teach the kids how to help eachother.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written and illustrated by Holly Hobbie (Denise Holly Ulinskas). Lovely watercolor illustrations. "One day Puddle decided to teach Otto how to write his name" resulting is a nice ABC book.
Age Range: 3 - 6 years
Grade Level: Preschool - 1

[Ronda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read-aloud that I really enjoyed sharing with my son. For some reason, the drawing of the Itchy Inchworm always sent my son into giggles--and of course, that would set me off. Great to share with a child who is feeling kind of overwhelmed with learning all those letters.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This seems like a great book to use in teaching the alphabet to students. It definitely emphasizes the sounds of letters as well as an awareness of print. If I ever teach kindergarten, this book will be on my list!

[Katt Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course we have to have an ABC book, but the story sandwiching the rest is what makes this whole thing worthwhile and another delightful Toot and Puddle book. Just love all of these (and S for "Somebody's Sleeping" really sparks the imagination!)

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

My five-year-old son picked this book out from the library this week. He really likes ABC books.

The ABC part of this book was fine, even cute, although definitely not brilliant. The rest of the book -- eh, felt like a lot of filler to me.

[Sarah Ashburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I think it would be great for young children who are learning their ABCs and the different sounds that these letters make. I really like the repetition and the use of similar sounds for the letters of the alphabet. Great children's book!

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that Puddle is tutoring his friend on letters. A great way to "tutor" young readers without them knowing it! Puddle's illustrations of each letter are charming and sometimes funny!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book because it tells a story as Puddle the Pig teaches his friend Otto the Turtle the alphabet so he can write his name.

[Rosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story with an alphabet portion to it. Toot teaches Otto how to write his name. The quick process is a little misleading but it's still a fun story.

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice ABCs; learning them is set within the story.

[Holly]

Another fun alphabet book. Language Arts teachers could use it to teach alliteration if they wanted to. The kids loved watching Otto learn to write his name.