National Geographic Kids' Entertainment brings the whimsical world of Toot and Puddle to life in its first holiday special, TOOT & PUDDLE: I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS, available first at retail on DVD, Dec. 5, 2006, for $19.98. The special also will premiere on NOGGIN, Dec. 13, 5-6:00 pm. TOOT & PUDDLE: I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS is distributed on DVD through Warner Home Video.
Based on acclaimed children's author and illustrator Holly Hobbie's bestselling book series, TOOT & PUDDLE: I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS follows two piglet pals, as they set out on their respective holiday adventures. The hour-long special (45 min. TRT for DVD) brings Hobbie's warm, lyrical illustrations to life on the small screen in what hopefully will become a holiday classic.
After he receives an invitation from overseas, Toot, the world traveler, hops the pond to Scotland to join his great-great-aunt Peg in celebrating her 100th birthday. Toot lands in Edinburgh where he is met by his cheerful Uncle Bertie. The two travel across the Scottish Highlands, passing such landmarks as Edinburgh Castle, Old Sterling Bridge and Loch Lomand, until they reach Aunt Peg's grand castle.
Once there, Toot, searches out a mysterious "ghost," dons a kilt, sings carols with his sheep friends in the town square and even helps a terrier and her newborn pups find homes. Aunt Peg invites him to stay in Scotland for Christmas. Toot declines, repeating his promise to Puddle that he'll "be home for Christmas."
Back in Woodcock Pocket, Puddle makes his own holiday excitement right at home with his little cousin Opal, who has come to spend the holidays. Puddle and Opal keep busy preparing the house for Toot's return. Together, they find just the right Christmas tree, skate on a frozen pond, dress up the house with a festive light display, sing songs and make decorations.
Christmas Eve finally arrives, but without Toot? Will he make it home for the big day or will he get caught in the terrible snowstorm that has engulfed Scotland and even his own Woodcock Pocket? With help from Aunt Peg's good luck charm and a mysterious red-suited sleigh driver, Toot might just make it home in time.
"Toot and Puddle are great friends who enjoy creating their own adventures, whether abroad or right in their backyard," said Donna Friedman Meir, president of National Geographic Kids' Ent. and the special's exec producer. "They're kind, lovable characters who will entertain children and capture their imaginations. The world, as seen through the eyes of Toot and Puddle, is a bright, fascinating place, full of possibilities, and we're happy to bring children closer to them with this charming holiday special."
Find out more about TOOT & PUDDLE at www.tootandpuddle.com.
TOOT & PUDDLE: I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS was produced by Grand Slamm Children's Films, for National Geographic Kids' Ent., in association with Warner Home Video and Nelvana. Ginger Gibbons directed from a script written by Stu Krieger. Corinne Lejeune served as editor while Stacey Attanasio-Gonsalves was producer. Doug and Holly Hobbie are consulting producers. Friedman Meir and Tara Sorensen are exec producers.
National Geographic Kids' Ent. (NGKE, www.nationalgeographic.com) is an independent production entity of National Geographic Television. Established in 2003, NGKE brings the renowned National Geographic brand to children's entertainment through the development and production of quality animated and live-action, entertainment-driven programming that excites kids to explore their world. NGKE will work with all major broadcast outlets in the U.S. and abroad. For more information about National Geographic, please visit www.nationalgeographic.com.
Founded in 1994, Grand Slamm Children's Films (GSCF, www.gscfilms.com) is a small independent production company run by Gibbons in London, specializing in high quality, 2D animated films, mainly for children. GSCF is well known for KIPPER THE DOG, PERCY THE PARK KEEPER, SHEEEP and, most recently, ANGELINA BALLERINA, all of which have won major prizes worldwide. Along with original stories, GSCF specializes in translating for the screen the work of classic children's stories and illustrations.
NOGGIN reaches 52 million households via cable, digital cable and satellite TV. NOGGIN, which airs from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, is like preschool on TV, with educational programming both on-air and online at www.noggin.com. NOGGIN is part of Viacom Int'l Inc.
