Toot and Puddle: Puddle's ABC FROM OUR EDITORS
Author-illustrator Hollie Hobbie brings us the fourth picture book featuring the delightful duo, Toot and Puddle. These pleasant pigs, who are best friends, were first introduced to young readers in 1997. From the start, Hobbie has been detailing the differences between the friends using sophisticated touches and charm.
In this new book, her classic style continues her goal of creating witty and humorous adventures. Toot and Puddle's friend, Otto the Turtle, really wants to write his name but he doesn't know how to read. So, Puddle decides to teach Otto the alphabet using his signature sense of whimsy in illustrations for each letter."Fat firefly flying fast" and "Little lizard loves ladybugs" are two examples of just how adorable Puddle presents the letters of the alphabet. Even adults will appreciate the attention to detail and the imagination behind the images.
Hollie Hobbie uses watercolors that are simultaneously vivid and soothing. Various shades of Green are the colors of choice and seem to tie the book together, as well as incorporate Otto's bright shell. The pigs are a perfect pale pink, dressed in ideal attire for toddlers -- denim overalls and cargo shorts.
At the end of the book, Otto can write his name. And he realizes something -- Otto is Toot spelled inside out. This fun discovery will amuse young readers and prove that Toot and Puddle's future adventures will be full of surprises.
ANNOTATION
Puddle teaches his friend Otto the letters of the alphabet so that Otto can write his name.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
"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. The result is an ABC book unlike any other. Holly Hobbie's irresistible watercolor illustrations brim with life and humor."
"Hollie Hobbie is the author of three previous highly acclaimed Toot & Puddle picture books, as well as an illustrated memoir, The Art of Holly Hobbie. She lives with her husband in Conway, Massachusetts.
The artwork for this alphabet was provided by Puddle. He lives in Woodcock Pocket with his best friend, Toot."
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
Dedicated to "readers-to-be," this appealing alphabet lesson comes sandwiched between a slight but agreeable story about how Puddle the pig teaches Otto the turtle to write his name. First Puddle explains, "The alphabet is all the letters we need to write all the words we know." Writing each letter in a bright color, Puddle also paints a picture with a brief alliterative caption. From "Ant alone with apple," to "Queen quietly quilting," to "Zooming zucchini," the captions sometimes depart from the featured letter (e.g.,"Woolly bears waltzing"). Hobbie's watercolors focus frequently on the theme of reading and are full of whimsical humor. As Puddle tries to think of a good answer to Otto's question, "Where does the letter O come from?" the turtle falls on his back with an "Oops" and an "Over." Later, when Otto writes Toot's name, Otto concludes, "OTTO is TOOT spelled inside out." It's the best Toot and Puddle outing yet. Ages 3-6. (Sept.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|
Children's Literature
Puddle the pig teaches his turtle friend, Otto, how to write his name. In order to do so, Puddle must teach Otto the alphabet. He does this by painting a picture for each letter of the alphabet. These unique, whimsical illustrations appear with the represented letters and descriptions of the pictures. For example, there is an "ant alone with apple," illustration for the letter A, an "oinkers' opera," illustration for the letter O, and a "you're yawning" illustration for the letter Y. These are followed by the entire alphabet written on a single page. Otto's task is to memorize the alphabet and then to practice writing each letter. After a few days, he is ready to try out his name—which he loves. Eagerly, he wants to write another name, and Toot the pig offers his own. Otto is so clever he recognizes that Otto is Toot spelled inside out, once he has written both names down. Soon he is on to the next name—Puddle. The entertaining watercolors and text make this study in ABCs anything but boring. Readers-to-be will be enticed to learn their alphabet and will want to look into other books in the "Toot and Puddle" series. 2000, Little Brown, $14.95. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewer: Carol Raker Collins
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 1-Toot and Puddle are as endearing as ever in this alphabet book. Puddle decides to teach Otto the turtle to write his name, but the fact that he does not know his ABCs is an obstacle. The determined and creative pig takes on the challenge of instructing him using his own unique artwork and word combinations. As a result, Otto learns how to spell his name and other words as well. Each letter receives a page unto itself with a wonderful painting and alliterative text. Q stands for "Queen quietly quilting" and N stands for "Not another nightmare!" Hobbie's watercolors are charming and alive with gentle humor. Parents and children are sure to respond to this enchanting concept book.-Hennie Vaandrager, Byron Township Library, Byron Center, MI Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
Hobbie's porkers in play clothes return for a fourth episode, just as winning as the previous three. Finding little Otto Turtle fishing next to a "No Fishing" sign, Puddle offers to teach him the letters of his name. This leads in natural stages to an alphabetical animal gallery that covers not only the 26 letters, but a range of moods from joyful ("Bb. Ballerina blowing bubbles") to scared (Nn. Not another nightmare!") to silly ("Zz. Zooming Zucchini"). After practicing, Otto's not only proudly writing his own name, but Toot's too (perspicuously noting that, " �Otto is Toot spelled inside out.' ") By the end he is even ready to tackle "Puddle." The art alternates between a fluid, precise cartoon style, and Puddle's flatter, more childlike technique. Filled with wordplay and giggleinducing visuals accompanying a sturdy story line, and with plenty of encouraging praise and flattery, this is certain to spur many children into following in Otto's footsteps as he takes his eager first venture into literacy. Irresistible. (Picture book. 35)
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