I'll Be Home for Christmas (Toot & Puddle) [Hardcover]

Holly Hobbie (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

Toot goes to a family reunion in Scotland, promising Puddle that he'll be back in Woodcock Pocket in time for Christmas. However a huge snowstorm strands him far away from home on Christmas Eve. Full-color illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Loving piggy pals Toot and Puddle are back--well, actually, Toot isn't back yet. As in Holly Hobbie's earlier Toot and Puddle, Toot has the travel bug while Puddle contentedly tends the home fires. In his postcard from Scotland, Toot promises to be home for Christmas. But ice storms and delayed flights threaten to spoil the holiday plans... until an unexpected fellow traveler saves the day.

Hobbie's marvelous illustrations are filled with telling details and subtle wit: Toot caroling his heart out in an Edinburgh blizzard with a few sheep buddies; Puddle curled up in an armchair with crayons and holiday cards (signed with a blank space before "and Puddle," in anticipation of Toot's signature). The devotion the pigs share for each other is sweet, never sickly, and young readers with best friends will know exactly how they feel, being apart at a most important time. Several more Toot and Puddle titles will also enchant, including A Present for Toot and You Are My Sunshine. (Ages 3 to 7) --Emilie Coulter

From Publishers Weekly

Come canceled flights or high snowdrifts, piglet pals Toot & Puddle will be together for Christmas in Hobbie's latest series charmer. Globe-trotting Toot, who has been in Scotland for a family reunion (and who has a tam and tartan kilt to show for it), promises homebody Puddle that he'll make it back to Woodcock Pocket for Christmas. But severe winter weather nearly derails that plan. Luckily, a magical heirloom and a certain red-suited sleigh driver help Toot along. Hobbie's chipper text and alternately cozy and funny watercolors are as winning as ever. Ages 4-8.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; 1st edition (October 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316366234
• ISBN-13: 978-0316366236
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 0.5 x 10.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #334,789 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Holly Hobbie has worked as an artist for more than thirty years and is the author of seven previous and highly acclaimed Toot & Puddle picture books, as well as an illustrated memoir, The Art of Holly Hobbie. The mother of grown children, she lives with her husband in Conway, Massachusetts

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gets it right, October 22, 2001

By 

kennedy19 "kennedy19" (wakefield, ma USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I'll Be Home for Christmas (Toot & Puddle) (Hardcover)

This is perhaps the most visually beautiful, and certainly the best plotted, of the "Toot and Puddle" picture books. Holly Hobbie's ever-dazzling watercolors are back in force, and she really shines painting snow scenes. As in their first book, Toot the pig is off traveling while his best friend Puddle carries on at home, and the book skillfully cuts back and forth between their comic efforts. This time Toot is visiting an aunt in Scotland, who gives him her "lucky nut" as a keepsake. He sends word to Puddle assuring him that he will indeed be home to Woodcock Pocket for Christmas, whereupon Puddle happily busies himself with holiday decorating and baking. But Toot's plane is delayed by ice, and when he finally lands in Boston the whole city is shut down by snow. He bravely hikes off into the woods, but can only go so far. As he sits down to shiver, he notices the lucky nut and makes a wish upon it that he will make it home somehow. Soon he hears the jingle of bells... well, you can guess what happens! It is cleverly done, and never explicitly stated or known by the pigs who exactly gives Toot a lift in his sleigh. Naturally the pigs are delighted to be reunited at home, whereupon they hang the lucky nut on their tree and they go to bed on Christmas Eve knowing they will wake up together on Christmas. All in all, a satisfying and suitably magical book for kids (say, preschool through 2nd grade) - and for adults who like fine painting, and reunions too!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Enchanting Christmas Story....., November 7, 2001

By 

Roz Levine - See all my reviews

This review is from: I'll Be Home for Christmas (Toot & Puddle) (Hardcover)

It's late December and homebody, Puddle is happy to get a postcard from his ever-adventurous friend, Toot, telling him all about his family reunion in Scotland. But most of all he's happy to hear that his dear friend will be home in time for Christmas. And as Puddle gets right to work on his cards, decorations, and fruitcakes, Toot makes his arrangements to come home to Woodcock Pocket, so that they can celebrate the holiday together. But the weather doesn't cooperate, and after many delays, Toot finally lands in Boston, late on Christmas Eve. With a snowstorm raging, he can't find a bus, train or even a taxi to take him home, and so begins to hike through the deep, cold snow. Just when he thinks he can walk no further, a kindly visitor comes to his rescue..... Holly Hobbie has written an enchanting and magical story that is sure to put everyone right into the holiday spirit. Her simple, charming text is only outdone by her marvelously expressive, and evocative artwork, and both youngsters and adults will enjoy finding all the special little details in each picture. Perfect for youngsters 3-7, Toot & Puddle: I'll Be Home For Christmas is a gentle, heartwarming, read-aloud story the entire family can share together, and a certain holiday classic, in the years to come.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars toot and puddle, January 13, 2011

By 

joy (washington) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: I'll Be Home for Christmas (Toot & Puddle) (Hardcover)

i have the entire series of the toot and puddle books in hardcover which were purchased over the years for my now 16 year old daughter. she and i loved to curl up and read them together. the artistry is simply beautiful. you want to jump in the book and live in woodcock. such adorable characters and best friends forever no matter what! i just bought this title for my 4 year old niece for christmas and mom and daughter both love this book. she wants to own the whole set as well!thank you to holly hobbie for creating the characters and for the beautiful art.