Toot & Puddle: A Present for Toot

Toot & Puddle

by Holly Hobbie

It's Toot's birthday, and Puddle wants to get him the best present ever! He goes to the Blue Ox Bookstore, but he can't find the right book. He visits a hardware store, a sports shop, an appliance store - but nothing is quite special enough for his best friend. Puddle wonders if he will ever find the perfect gift in time for the party, but just as he is about to give up, Toot's present finds him.
With a delightful mix of humor, warmth, and a classic style all her own, Holly Hobbie captures all the magic, fun, and joy that surrounds birthdays and celebrations. Best of all, this deluxe paperback edition comes with a greeting card that kids can punch-out, personalize, and send off to someone special.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Friendship

ebook

First published January 1, 1998

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

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, first things first. My little boy loves these books. He reads a lot with his mom, but lately the Toot and Puddle books are the ones he's been talk about.

In some ways, that's the only review that matters.

That said, there's some weird shit going on here....

The book's two main characters, as you might have guessed, are Toot and Puddle. They're two pigs that are best friends.

That's not the problem.

In this story, Puddle is trying to figure out what to get his friend for his birthday.

That's not the problem either.

The problem is that Puddle, a sentient pig capable of speech, goes shopping at a pet store. And (spoiler alert) buys a parrot for his friend.

THIS is the problem.

Let's breeze right past the fact that the only thing that makes a parrot cool is the fact that it's an animal that can talk. And therefore in a world full of talking animals it would have nothing to make it unique.

No. Let's jump straight into the fact that in this world where animals are people and they can talk, Puddle effectively buys a person. He buys another sentient creature to give away as a present.

Doesn't that strike anyone else as kinda fucked up?

A simple request to all the children's authors out there. I don't care if you populate your world with talking animals. It's cool. We're all onboard with that.

But when your talking animals take a field trip? Maybe you shouldn't have them go to the fucking zoo. Why? Well, because your entire world is ostensibly populated with sentient animals. Why the fuck would they have a zoo in the first place?

Don't get me wrong here. I'm not asking you to engage in Dune-Level worldbuilding. I'm not going to quiz you about how the economy of your Animal-Farm lite society functions. I don't need to know what sort of numinous porcine deity they pray to.

I'm not going to pester you with questions about why the animals all speak the same language. I won't even quibble about the fact that a pig lacks the manual dexterity to turn a doorknob, let alone hold a hammer or a paintbrush.

All I'm asking is that you think things through a *little* bit. No zoos. No pet stores.

And for fuck's sake. I know it's easy to draw, but when your protagonist pig is eating lunch, could he have something *other* than a ham sandwich?

Yours in logical consistency,

pat

[Sharon Barrow Wilfong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore the Toot and Puddle books. I first became aware of them when I checked out the cassette tapes (yes, that long ago) from the library so my son could hear the stories as he looked at the pictures in the car. I was the music teacher for many pre-schools and my son and I spent a lot of time in the car. Hence we listened to a whole library of children's books on tape.

This story is about Puddle puzzling over a present for Toot's birthday. (How do you like that alliteration? It's a gift.) What should he get him? Puddle is an anxious sort of pig and he is worried about getting his good friend the wrong thing.

I won't give the ending away, but I will say this book is probably why I now own three birds.

The story is charming and the illustrations so cozy and delightful. Fans of Hygge, will probably love this warmly illustrated book with its setting in New England.

[Elyza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maddie also read this book live on Instagram for the 24in48 readathon! 😁

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favourite edition. It's about animals: wild, domestic and pets. What animal(s) will you get if your parents decide to do so. Will you choose exotic ones which are more expensive or will you go to your local shelter home. How will you take care of your pet and do you know that even if you are its owner, that doesn’t mean you can hurt this animal, because it as well feels and it will bite you back in defence if you harm it. Connection with animals is one of the best relationships in life. So don't be pushy and quick with your decisions and when you do, love that animal with all your heart, and your love will be hundred times more returned. Just adore illustrations, genuine message and simplicity.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun book to show children that putting a little extra thought into someone's birthday present not only gives the recipient great pleasure, but the giver too!

Ages 4+

#birthdays

**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! Visit my website: The Book Radar.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Toot's birthday was only three days away, and Puddle could not think of what kind of present to get for his friend. Toot was a world traveler, and had seen many different things, and was difficult to shop for. Puddle searched all the shops in town looking for something special. What he found was not only special but exotic.

[Eyehavenofilter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trying to find just the right gift for just the right person is always a task, but not when they are your best friend in the whole world. That's Toot and Puddle all over again. This is such a lovely book. It's worth the illustrations alone.

[Kiah Ballard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book about friendship. Shows the thoughtfulness that can be showed towards friends. I would use this book to promote friendship among the children in my class. We would have a discussion on some of the nice ways we can treat friends.

[NoraReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

These little books have the cutest illustrations! I still own my copy, and I flip through it every once in a while.

[FM Family · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fine but didn't really stand out. We all enjoyed the first book in the Toot and Puddle series but this one didn't really come together. Puddle ends up getting Toot this bird and then hiding the bird in the shed and trying to keep it warm, and then the bird is happy to be a gift? I read this a few months ago now and don't really remember. But I do remember the bird kept using the word 'exotic' which I don't really love as it speaks to a very specific positioning of what is normal which is usually pretty eurocentric. Love the illustrations but the story here was meh. My 4 year old was happy to read it but not enthused.

[CSCL Staff Picks · Rating 5 out of 5]

All kids from 1-92 will love these little pigs in turtlenecks! This incredible series boasts fabulous illustrations of the charming forest where these two chipper chaps live and share a friendship that reigns supreme. Each unique story teaches us that opposites can be complimentary, and that adventures can be had both near and far from home. All twelve books by Holly Hobbie in this series are definitely on my “someday when I’m a grandma” list of literary treasures to revisit!

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who among us hasn't thought and thought about what to give someone special for his birthday? Puddle the pig has that problem. His friend Toot is very special, and he wants to find just the right birthday gift. The pictures are sweet and convey the excitement and confusion of trying to find the perfect gift. I will have to read more of the Toot & Puddle books.

[Mrspughsreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Toot and Puddle: A Present for Toot" is a great series book to introduce to students in early elementary (K-2). The story has a good hearted feel as Puddle searches high and low for the perfect gift for his best friend Toot.
This book is a great read aloud to use in a mini-lesson in identifying feeling words in text in alignment with Common Core State Standards for first grade reading.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an adorable 'thinking of others' book! Toot and Puddle are the best of friends. And when Toot's birthday comes up Puddle is beside himself trying to think of the perfect gift for him. He knows Toot has been around the world so buying something unique for him is very hard. But he loves him and wants the best for him... his gift is a very precious one!

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

You have to love a book that includes a birdwatcher and identifies a wild bird (nuthatch). And the struggle over a present. Buying presents can be awful hard, especially when you want it to be meaningful. And Puddle managed to avoid the pitfall of buying something he might like when it's supposed to be a present for Toot. His decision his perfect!

[Brianna Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly Hobbie's watercolor illustrations of Toot and Puddle always delight. Puddle is the quieter of the two friends, but the underlying strength behind Toot's ability to be adventuresome. It's Toot's birthday, and Puddle wants to find the perfect present. I always enjoy a Toot and Puddle book, and so do my children.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm sure you already know whether or not you want to read this series, if in fact you haven't already. I'll just add the one thought that I can't keep away from my head. Hobbie sure is whimsical, and I never know whether the pigs' outfits are going to cover their 'boy parts' or reveal that they don't have any.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my...this is the best yet. The EXPRESSIONS! The artwork alone is so utterly charming and beautiful that it's worth opening up these books. But then you take all of this that extra step and read the story...it's perfect. Absolutely perfect!

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another character joins Toot and Puddle in this run-up to a birthday celebration. Hobbie's ability to shape the personalities of her characters, add in whimsey and pathos, and create stunning environments for them to walk through make his and her other books so pleasurable to read and experience.

[Mikala Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love these books! The illustrations are so beautiful...sometimes they break my heart!

[Angela Wynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked this one, but the illustrations are not as good as the first Toot and Puddle. Toot and Puddle look a little too skinny.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

toot and puddle books are so great! Even my mom likes them!

[Ursa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable story about friendship and gorgeous watercolor paintings

[Clwseattle · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

A mixed bag. The pictures were not too my taste and why are the pigs nude at their picnic but dressed the rest of the time, though Toot feels trousers are optional. I liked the idea of Puddle going into all the shops and having to remember he was buying a present for someone else not him. And I liked the parrot and Toot’s concern for him. But the ending was flat. Also having just read another review of the book I now have a new concern. Toot a talking sentient pig buys a talking parrot, Tulip. This would be fine if it was a talking parrot like in our world that just repeats phrases and copies speech. But Tulip is clearly intelligent. Why is buying him OK?

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toot's surprising present finds him? Finds Puddle too?

Ooh, my imagination is drooling. Now to feast on the fantastically beautiful pictures by Holly Hobbie, and trust the sensitively written text of this book to carry me forward.

The ending of the book is superbly splendid. Of course, no spoilers from me!

[Veepropro · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read this book before the pandemic started like around 2018 i was a kid still and this book just warms my heart reminds of such sweet n warm memories a rlly cute book i loved all three books toot n puddles cute relationship in this book makes me think if i would ever have one like tht lmao anyways love love this book so much.

[Laura Lilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a deep dive into friendship and wanting to find the perfect gift for a very special person. I often feel the same way

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, this book is all about the pictures for me. So, so cute. Fun story. Nice ending.

[Željko Filipin · Rating 3 out of 5]

How to buy a good present for friend's birthday.