Holly Hobbie & Friends

Did You Know?

• LeAnn Rimes voiced the character Kelly Deegan in the Christmas episode.
• A video game based on the series was released for the Nintendo DS on October 8, 2007.
• The series was distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment for episodes 1–3 and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment for episodes 4–8.

Production and music

The specials were produced by American Greetings, American Greetings Properties, and Nickelodeon Animation Studio, with animation by Wang Film Productions and Toon City Animation. Producers included Mario Piluso and Dina Buteyn, while executive producers were Ramsey Ann Naito, Maureen Taxter, Jeff Weiss, Jeffrey Conrad, Tamra Knepfer, and David Polter. Voice direction was handled by Charlie Adler and Mario Piluso. Music was composed by Jared Faber and Gary Lionelli, and the theme song "Twinkle in Her Eye" was performed by LeAnn Rimes, with lyrics by Kate Boutilier and Eryk Casemiro.

Characters

Holly Hobbie, voiced by Alyson Stoner (episodes 1–4) and Nicole Bouma (episodes 5–8), is the kindhearted protagonist with long blonde hair and blue eyes who enjoys cartwheels and designing clothes. Her best friends are Amy Morris, a silly, imaginative girl with short brown hair and green eyes voiced by Liliana Mumy (episodes 1–4) and Maryke Hendrikse (episodes 5–8), and Carrie Baker, a smart, determined African American girl with dark brown hair and brown eyes voiced by Tinashe Kachingwe (episodes 1–4) and Dorla Bell (episodes 5–8). Additional family members include Holly's mom Joan Hobbie (voiced by Jane Lynch in episodes 1–4 and Saffron Henderson in episodes 5–8), dad Gary Hobbie (voiced by Rob Paulsen in episodes 1–4 and Ian Corlett in episodes 5–8), and uncle Dave (voiced by Diedrich Bader in episodes 1–4 and Brian Dobson in episodes 5–8). Recurring characters include Portia, K.T. McGee, Jim Bidderman, Willie Scranton, Bud and Teresa Morris, Carolyn Baker, Kelly Deegan, and Annabelle Crow.

Broadcast and home releases

The first special, "Surprise Party," debuted on Nick Jr. on February 10, 2006, and the series concluded with "Best Friends Forever" on September 7, 2007. Four specials were issued on DVD: Surprise Party, Christmas Wishes, Secret Adventures, and Best Friends Forever. The last two DVDs, Fabulous Fashion Show and Marvelous Makeover, each include two twenty-two-minute episodes.

Reception

The specials received positive reviews. Regina McMenomy, a researcher at Washington State University, praised Holly for embracing her girlishness while remaining a strong, independent thinker, contrasting her with other girl characters that she felt had lost their femininity. Jacqueline Cutler of The World noted that the show retained the sweet spirit of the original Holly Hobbie brand and would appeal to traditional little girls. The Dove Foundation awarded the series its Dove Family-Approved Seal, calling Holly Hobbie a wonderful role model.