A gentle, entertaining lesson showing that everyone is special. Hobbie's signature watercolors are delightfully warm and appealing October leaves on a sunny day almost warrant sunglasses, the glows from fireplace and lamps exude coziness, and the foursome's breath-holding contest is priceless. Daphne finally swallows her pride and openly admires Opal's bravery.

However, when Daphne can't deal with a spider in the bathroom, it's little Opal who comes to the rescue. She's petulant when Opal wins at cards, refuses to try new foods, and won't help out with the raking. She enjoys competition as long as she comes out on top, but when she doesn't, her little snout gets out of joint. Wise Puddle assures her that 'everyone is different and everyone is good at different things.' Daphne is quite pleasant while proving that she can hold her breath longer, turn a cartwheel more flawlessly, and play the violin better than the others. The self-deprecating Opal claims that Daphne is good at everything – much better than she could ever be. Opal returns to Woodcock Pocket to visit Toot and Puddle and brings along a much-admired companion. Hobbie's endearing pigs return in another tale about friendship. A must-have for your Toot and Puddle collections. Parents and kids will also appreciate the author's cleverly constructed tale, without a hint of preachiness and fun to read until the uplifting end.

As usual, Hobbie's illustrations are first-rate, with gently warm, buoyant watercolors and winning expressions setting Toot and Puddle in the upper echelon of memorable characters.

Opal begins to find herself standing in Daphne's shadow, but when the tables turn and Daphne doesn't get to be top piglet, Toot and Puddle suppose aloud that the new friend is 'a bit of a prima donna.' Fortunately, a bath-time incident opens Daphne's eyes to Opal's good qualities, too, and the two snuggle up later as better and wiser chums. When Opal brings her new friend, Daphne, to meet Toot and Puddle, the group is charmed by Daphne's plethora of talents, including cartwheels, headstands, and rope-jumping. Holly Hobbie's Toot and Puddle return with autumnal cheer in this feel-good-about-yourself picture book featuring a new addition to the cast.

Toot and puddle books in order