Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

As Puddle and Tulip bake and decorate in anticipation of Christmas, their good friend Toot is at a family reunion far away. Alas, a big winter storm threatens to keep Toot from getting home for the holiday. But a magical object, and a mysterious sleigh driver get Toot home, safe and sound. The illustrations in this Holly Hobbie book are enchanting---see the sheep singing carols in the snowstorm, the brownstones in the city, covered with snow and Puddle shoveling snow by moonlight....a very satisfying little Christmas story!

A delightful story that you and your child will want to watch over and over again. This book will be a part of our holidays for years to come. A classic.

This is the cutest Children's Christmas book that I have ever read!



Having family and friends together is important to everyone, especially friends Toot & Puddle. With one visiting a great-great-aunt in Edinburgh and the other home in Boston, only a miracle can bring them together in time for Christmas.



This is the perfect snuggle read for anytime. The pictures and story will make you smile and be full of delight. I highly recommend it!

TOOT AND PUDDLE I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS is the first book in this series that we have read, and it has been an instant family favorite. Toot & Puddle are good friends and delightfully different characters.

Holly Hobbie's watercolor paintings are really spectacular. She does a great job of creating very expressive characters. She also does gorgeous work creating the domestic and nature scenes that are the backdrop for Toot and Puddle's conversations. I got an artists friend to look at the book (I was so excited about discovering it), and she agreed that the two paintings of Toot and Puddle outside in moonlit snow are brilliant.

The thing I most love about this book is the emphasis on holidauys as a time we spend with the people we love. There is no big deal made about getting and giving presents. The only present we talk about is the lucky nut that Toot is given by his Great-Great-Aunt. Toot brings it home from Scotland and hangs it on the tree he shares with Puddle and Tulip.

There is also no big deal made about Santa Claus. You may think you spot him, but you can't say for sure.

Delightful! We have read this book three or four times a day for two weeks, and it looks as if it is going to take us through to Christmas Eve. The book ends by saying "when they wake it will be Christmas," and I fully expect that will be the last line of the last sleepytime book we read on Christmas Eve this year.

This is the sweetest Christmas book I've seen in a long time. Toot is stuck trying to get home to Woodcock Pocket in time for Christmas Eve, while Puddle is busy missing his friend and readying the house for Christmas. The illustrations are stunning and the story of their reunion is a treasure. A sure-to-be favorite for 3-7 year olds who are still enchanted with all of the simple joys and magic of Christmas, and a pleasure for adults to read over and over.

The same Holly Hobbie who enchanted us Baby Boomers with her greeting card illustrations in the 60's and 70's has turned her attentions to children's literature with equal success. Adults will enjoy this series as well as their children. Toot and Puddle are two pigs who live together and are the best of friends. Toot loves to travel, but Puddle is a homebody. Toot is off on his journey, far from home, while Puddle prepares for Christmas and Toot's return. Puddle even signs all the Christmas cards "and Puddle"! Children will love Toots struggle to return home in time for Christmas with the assistance of a bearded man with a sleigh!

What a charming story. I had to have it for our Christmas book collection for our 2 year old but (if you must know the truth!) I really bought it for my husband. When I read this story, it reminds me of how I feel when he's away and I'm getting ready to greet him when he returns. It's a simple love story hidden in the antics of the two adorable pigs, Puddles and Toot.