Fantastic Scottish Christmas Special
George Buttner | Dayton, Ohio United States | 12/16/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This special aired recently on Noggin and now it's available for all to own on DVD. The DVD comes with a bonus music feature.
This special finds Toot headed to Scotland to celebrate his Grandma's one-hundredth birthday. Puddle stays home and gets ready for Christmas with the cute little pig Opal, but Toot promises to be home for Christmas.
Once in Scotland, Toot gets a big dose of Scottish culture. He learns traditional Scottish songs, wears a kilt and participates in Scottish Christmas-caroling (though he only hums along.) When it comes time to go home, Toot is hampered by flight delays and such, and worries that he won't make it home. But he discovers new friends, helps out a timid elephant who's afraid of mice ("What can I say? It's genetic.") and celebrates even more international culture.
This special has cute animation, winning vocal and instrumental music and a nice plot. My only small nitpick was an excess of scene changes that seemed somewhat unnecessary. Otherwise, excellent special. Hopefully will become a classic."
Toddler Likes It
mediahound | northeast | 12/14/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have a 2.5 year old and he loves watching the DVD along with reading the book. Very well done and just a bonus that it was produced by National Geographic. Great Christmas gift (if you can find it) along with the book. Toot & Puddle also has a line of other books that are entertaining to kids and have fantastic illustrations for the grown-ups to appreciate."
The perfect DVD for a 3+ year old!
Lily C. Baker | San Jose, CA USA | 03/18/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Holly Hobbie's Toot and Puddle picture books are among the most charming books available. Her captivating watercolors are so beautiful and evocative of the magic and romance of childhood that I'd love to frame her pictures and decorate my daughter's room in Toot and Puddle. This movie has all of her charm, and quality animation you'd expect from Holly Hobbie and National Geographic. The story is delightful for my 3 year old, and myself, which is a bonus since we enjoy watching movies together. The themes are always friendship, loyalty, family, and they're not preachy or heavy-handed. The Scotland aspect is nice as an introduction to another culture that's not so foreign as to be lost on a toddler/preschooler.
I sooo wish there were more of these movies available. I'd buy every one. I think this video, and perhaps one of her books would make an exceptional gift for the recipient AND the giver!"