Toot & Puddle (1997)

 What is it about Toot & Puddle by Holly Hobbie (1997) that made me smile all the way through? Maybe it was the joy in every page. Maybe it was the exquisite illustrations. Maybe it was the respect these friends had for one another's choices. Or maybe it was the precious sense of friendship between two pigs. Toot takes off on a worldwide adventure and sends post cards home describing both an excitement and personal concern. From India, Toot writes, "It's your birthday-Mar 3! Hope your party is the best. Friends forever, Toot." Ah, the old-fashioned pleasure of post cards! Bonus: children experience a sense of time as the months from February through October are marked on each post card. Readers will recognize the familiar fun that Puddle has at home and marvel at the exotic places Toot visits.