Ok, I went to the book store yesterday and couldn't find Edwina the Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct, because it won't be release until September 28th; however, I did pick up an adorable new book that I couldn't resist! I have a soft spot for Toot and Puddle so when I saw the newest picture book in the series, The One and Only, I had to read through it, and I was immediately charmed and had to bring it home with me.In this book a new pig named Bubbles copies everything Opal does, and not only does she suceed in not getting into trouble for it, she becomes the teacher's pet because the teacher doesn't realize that Bubbles is stealing all her great ideas from Opal. Opal listens to Toot's advice and remains patient and kind towards Bubbles and it pays off in the end.
I loved the Illustrations, and I was especially struck by this one. Opal decided to dress up like a monster for Halloween and of course Bubbles does the same. Any kiddie lit fan will immediately notice that Bubbles is also copying another famous picture book pig, Ian Falconer's Olivia. She's wearing hte EXACT SAME costume Olivia wears to scare her brother. I thought it was very clever of Holly Hobbie to Copy Ian Falconer in a book that's all about copying!
One other illustration that made me giggle was this one. I love Holly Hobbie's pig version of the painting American Gothic. Another clever copycat move!I hate to admit this, but until today I didn't realize that Holly Hobbie is the very same Holly Hobbie that did the American Greeting cards of the little
prairie girl with a bonnet (who is actually called Holly Hobbie so it shouldn't have taken me so long to put two and two together). It seems that Holly Hobbie (the character not the author) has been ressurected and can be seen in a new movie on Nick Jr. You can see more of her here.
3 comments:
Now that's just creepy. The new incarnation of Holly Hobbie, that is. I think I'll stick with the sunbonnet version from my childhood.
I did, however, put the book on my to-buy list!
i love Toot and Puddle too! i always checkout their books at the libray. i love the new ABC book. Although, it might not be so new since it is at the library.
Actually, Ian Falconer's Olivia copied Holly Hobbie's Toot & Puddle. In Toot & Puddle, which came out BEFORE Olivia, Puddle dresses as a monster for Halloween--with a monstrous paper bag; the same as Opal. So, maybe Holly Hobbie is trying to say something about Olivia!
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