The Toot & Puddle Series, by Holly Hobbie

The Toot & Puddle series, written and illustrated by Holly Hobbie, follows the heartwarming friendship between two charming pigs. Toot and Puddle live in the cozy Woodcock Pocket, but their personalities couldn't be more different when it comes to travel.

Puddle is a homebody who finds joy in the simple pleasures of everyday life. He delights in tending to his garden, baking cookies, and enjoying the changing seasons in Woodcock Pocket. For Puddle, there's no place like home. Toot, on the other hand, has an insatiable wanderlust. In the first book, Toot & Puddle, he embarks on a year-long journey around the world. Toot's adventures take him to exciting destinations like Paris, where he picnics beneath the Eiffel Tower, and Egypt, where he rides a camel past the pyramids. He even visits Antarctica, bundling up to slide with penguins on the ice.

Throughout the series, Toot's travels continue to be a central theme. In Toot & Puddle: A Present for Toot, Puddle ventures out of his comfort zone and travels to Scotland to find the perfect gift for his friend. Toot & Puddle: Top of the World sees the duo climbing to the summit of Mount Everest.

Despite their different approaches to life, Toot and Puddle's friendship remains strong. They keep in touch through postcards and letters, sharing their experiences whether they're far apart or together at home. The books beautifully illustrate how true friendship can thrive even when friends have different interests and lifestyles.

The Toot & Puddle series is perfect for young readers who are just starting to explore books on their own. The stories spark imagination and curiosity about the world beyond their own backyards. At the same time, they reassure children that it's okay to love home too.