Holly Hobbie & Friends - Surprise Party, Vol. 1
Holly Hobbie & Friends - Surprise Partyis an hour-long animated feature starring Holly Hobbie's great-granddaughter, Holly, who is a modern woman in the making. Dressing in jeans, and sporting long, permed hair and a cool bike, Holly is a far cry from her homely relative who has long been adored for her country-style calico dresses and her ability to bake great cakes. In this episode, Holly is invited to her Aunt's birthday party, so she wants to learn how to make a cake. She takes baking lessons, in between nightly excursions during which she cuts fake crop circles in the neighbor's corn patch to trick her little brother into believing in aliens. Pranks continue until a guilt-ridden Holly confesses her dishonesty to Robbie, her brother, and her mother. As Holly seeks familial harmony and a sense of domesticity, she finds a treasure chest containing her great-grandma's memorabilia. Holly's rebellious feelings melt away as she discovers that her elder Holly also loved to party. In the end, the cake she makes is awesome and Holly is proud of both her heritage and of herself.Surprise Partyseems made for little girls whose use of technology sets them apart from previous generations, but ladies who grew up with the original Holly Hobbie will prefer her humble pioneer look as a reminder of how much times have changed. Nevertheless, this lighthearted story will entertain kids everywhere.—Trinie Dalton