Top of the World (Toot and Puddle Series)

by Holly Hobbie

Overview

When Toot doesn't return home to Woodcock Pocket as expected, Puddle becomes worried and decides he must go find him. His search leads him on a remarkable adventure, and to new summits of friendship. As ever, Holly Hobbie's extraordinary watercolor illustrations are at once funny and moving as they bring to life this whimsical tale of the inimitable Toot and Puddle.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316186742
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	02/11/2011
Series:	Toot and Puddle Series , #6
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
File size:	16 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 6 Years

About the Author

Holly Hobbie has worked as an artist for nearly forty years and has also illustrated the classic poem The Night Before Christmas. She is the author of eleven acclaimed, bestselling Toot & Puddle picture books as well as Gem, Fanny, Fanny & Annabelle, and Everything but the Horse.

Editorial Reviews

The Barnes & Noble Review
The two little stars of Toot & Puddle and A Present for Toot are feeling wanderlust and traveling the globe in a sweet, high-spirited picture book by acclaimed author Holly Hobbie.

Puddle wakes up one morning to find that Toot has gone for a walk, but when he doesn't return by that evening, his piglet friend begins to get worried. Venturing into the woods to no avail, Puddle goes looking for him and discovers that footprints are leading through the trees and to the train tracks. On a hunch, Puddle decides to take the train to the city and a shuttle to the airport, and he winds up flying to Coucou Poche, France, where Toot is happily partaking in berets and baguettes. Following their whims -- because "that's how whims are" -- the two take off again for Nepal and climb Mount Everest together, afterward realizing that "when the time comes," it's always wonderful "to get back home."

Hobbie's darling watercolors and a worldly story line make this Toot & Puddle treasure ideal for whimsical adventure seekers young and old. The piglets' friendship is warm and cozy, reflecting the Holly Hobbie we adore, and the book encourages readers to head out and enjoy life. There can be no better tour guides than Toot and Puddle, and curious readers will be thrilled to tag along as they journey to different parts of the world. These roaming pals are just the ticket. Matt Warner

bn.com

Hobbie's winsome pigs are traveling again, up Orchard Hill and through the woods to the top of the world, but this time the various themes of the book are less integrated. What begins as a tender story about the fear of loss and friendship quickly becomes a less substantial picaresque adventure that relies heavily on readers' knowledge of previous Toot and Puddle books. Toot leaves a note for Puddle, "Gone for a walk. Be back soon." But when he doesn't return by nighttime, Puddle envisions him "[tumbling] into a hole... or something even worse." The sweetly touching illustrations of timid Puddle imagining wolves and confronting the dark woods are so successful that the lighthearted action in the last half seems almost like a different book. Fortunately for the implausible plot, Puddle's own whimsical choices lead him directly to the same place as his missing friend ("Which way would I go... if I was Toot," he asks himself). One of the strengths of this series is its appeal to both young and old alike, but here young readers who worry about parents and friends leaving and not coming back may find it hard to excuse Toot's egocentric search for adventure and his lack of consideration for Puddle. Nonetheless, Hobbie's expert and endearing paintings, some of which are standouts in the series, will appeal to her many fans. Ages 4-8. (Sept.) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

Toot & Puddle: I'll Be Home for Christmas:
* #1 New York Times children's bestseller

"Hobbie's chipper text and alternately cozy and funny watercolors are as winning as ever." *Publishers Weekly, starred review

"The lovable piglets are at their best-friend best in his holiday tale."

*Bulletin of the CCB, recommended book

"Children and caregivers will enjoy snuggling together to share this book."
*School Library Journal

Toot & Puddle: You Are My Sunshine:
"Gentle watercolors add a light touch without compromising the compassion found in this graceful treatment of a delicate issue."
*Kirkus, pointered review

"The illustrations are right on target."
*School Library Journal

Toot & Puddle: A Present for Toot:
* A 1998 Parents' Choice Recommendation

"Hobbie beautifully depicts these two appealing pigs in expressive and detailed watercolors."
*School Library Journal

"Hobbie's watercolors are delightful, and Puddle's search for the perfect present is endearing."
*Kirkus

"Wonderfully on target for young children."
*Booklist

From the Publisher