Holly Hobbie

Holly Hobbie (born 1944) is an American writer and illustrator, and the name of a fictional character based on this person.

Hobbie is the author of the popular "Toot and Puddle" children's books, and creator of the character bearing her name. She today lives in Conway, Massachusetts.

Born Denise Holly Ulinskas, she married Douglas Hobbie in 1964.

Her namesake character

In the early 1970s, Hobbie sold distinctive artwork of a cat-loving, rag dress-wearing little girl in a giant bonnet to American Greetings. This series of illustrations became immensely popular and her originally nameless character became known as 'Holly Hobbie.'

In 1974, Knickerbocker Toys licensed the Holly Hobbie character for a line of rag dolls, which were a popular toy for young American girls for several years. Holly Hobbie products are now once again being marketed by American Greetings in associated with Carlton Cards. See the [http://www.hollyhobbie.com/HollyHobbie/index.jsp official website] for more information.

In 1980, Holly was featured in a novel by Richard Dubelman entitled " [http://www.amazon.com/dp/038528019X The Adventures of Holly Hobbie] ." In this book, Holly Hobbie is a ghost who lives in a painting that was painted in 1803. She comes out of the painting to help a descendant, Liz Dutton, find her missing father, an archaeologist who has vanished in Guatemala.

In 2006, a redesigned Holly Hobbie was launched as part of a spin-off product line called "Holly Hobbie and Friends". She was featured in a movie titled "". The movie aired on Nick Jr. and is available on DVD. [http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809233209/info] The traditional line still exists, with the backstory being that the "original" Holly is the Great Grandmother of the "new" Holly.

Mattel released a brand new Holly Hobbie doll line during 2006, which includes Holly (blue eyes & blonde hair), Amy (green eyes & red hair), and Carrie (brown eyes & black hair). The dolls feature an all new face sculpt, a new body style, and flat feet. There is also a series of smaller Holly, Amy, and Carrie figures; each of these figures arrives with a farm animal (Holly has a dog named Doodles, Amy has a pig named Chedder, and Carrie has a cat named Bonnett). Separate doll outfits are being sold; each outfit can be customized by the child or the collector. This new doll line is cute and craft-themed. Holly Hobbie (the cartoon) also has three popular songs, two sung in her own voice, "Just Like You" and "The Things That Make You Special", LeAnn Rimes sung "Twinkle in Her Eye", the theme song.

Toot and Puddle series

Toot & Puddle (a creation of the real Holly Hobbie) are best friends, even though Toot likes to travel and Puddle likes to stay at home. There are several books of their adventures, and a DVD of their holiday story "I'll be Home for Christmas".
*"Toot & Puddle"
*"A Present for Toot"
*"You Are My Sunshine"
*"I'll Be Home For Christmas"
*"Top of the World"
*"Charming Opal"
*"The New Friend"
*"Wish You Were Here"
*"The One and Only"
*"Let It Snow"

External links

* [http://www.hollyhobbieandfriends.com/HHFriends/index.jsp Holly Hobbie and Friends] , official site
* [http://www.hollyhobbieclassic.com Original Holly Hobbie] , official site
* [http://shop.nickjr.com/entry.point?entry=2176342&source=NCK_:2176342:0616_wiki Holly Hobbie and Friends stuff at The Nick Shop] www.hollyhobbie.com