In this incarnation of Holly Hobbie, Holly is a 10-year-old girl who forms a secret club (called the Hey Girls) with her two best friends, Amy and Carrie. Holly is the great, great granddaughter of the original Holly Hobbie character. According to American Greetings, the intention was for Holly to "look pretty much the same, but with new, contemporary colors and patterns."[3]
The first special, "Surprise Party," premiered during the Nick Jr. block on February 10, 2006. Eight episodes were made in total. A line of merchandise was also made as a partnership between American Greetings and Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products.[4]
A video game based on the series for the Nintendo DS released on October 8, 2007.
Theme music
The show's theme song "Twinkle in Her Eye" was performed by the country singer LeAnn Rimes.[7] She also voices Kelly Deegan in the Christmas episode, Christmas Wishes.
Premise
Holly Hobbie is a 10-year-old girl from a big city. She often visits her best friends Amy Morris and Carrie Baker in a small country town called Clover. The specials feature themes like friendship, dreams, music and aspirations.
Characters
Main
Holly Hobbie (voiced by Alyson Stoner and Nicole Bouma in episodes 5-8) is a kindhearted girl with long blonde hair and blue eyes and the protagonist of the series. She likes to do cartwheels and design her own clothes. Holly and her friends are part of a secret club called the Hey Girls Club. She also likes to draw on a journal for her adventures. She has a cocker spaniel named Doodles.
Amy Morris (voiced by Liliana Mumy and Maryke Hendrikse in episodes 5-8) is a silly and imaginative girl with short brown hair and green eyes. She likes to daydream and ride horses. She has her own horse named Cider and a pig named Cheddar.
Carrie Baker (voiced by Tinashe Kachingwe and Dorla Bell in episodes 5-8) is a smart and determined African American girl with dark brown hair and brown eyes. She’s the most straight-laced and sensible of the Hey Girls, and she often acts the voice of reason.
Supporting
Kids
Robby Hobbie (voiced by Jansen Panettiere and Kelly Metzger in episodes 5-8) is Holly's 8-year-old little brother. He can be a little annoying and weird at times.
Kyle Morris (voiced by Paul Butcher and Kelly Metzger in episodes 5-8) is Amy's younger brother and Robby's best friend. He hangs out with Robby most of the time.
Devon (voiced by Kim Mai Guest) is a teenage girl and an honorary member of the Hey Girls Club. She works as a waitress at Aunt Jessie's Café. She studies the ocean in college.
Joey Deegan (voiced by Spencer Ganus).
Paul Deegan (voiced by Harrison Fahn).
Portia (voiced by Kathleen Barr) is Holly's friend in New York City. She can be a little bit bossy and snobby but she has a good heart and loves fashion.
K.T. McGee (voiced by Kathleen Barr) is Holly's friend in Clover School.
Adults
Aunt Jessie (voiced by Rusty Schwimmer and Heather Doerksen in episodes 5-8) is Holly's aunt who runs a café. She has a cat named Bonnet.
February 10, 2006 (2006-02-10) (TV)[8] March 7, 2006 (2006-03-07) (DVD)
Holly visits Clover to plan a surprise birthday party for her Aunt Jessie. While there, she plays a prank on Robby by cutting fake crop circles in a corn patch, making him think aliens made them.
2
"Christmas Wishes"
Mario Piluso
Kate Boutilier and Eryk Casemiro
October 24, 2006 (2006-10-24) (DVD) November 13, 2006 (2006-11-13) (TV)[9]
Holly and her friends take part in a play that retells the story of Christmas and they bring Christmas cheer to a widowed mother and her twin sons. Meanwhile, Robby dresses up as Santa to earn some extra money.
3
"Secret Adventures"
Mario Piluso
Kate Boutilier and Eryk Casemiro
February 16, 2007 (2007-02-16) (TV)[10] February 20, 2007 (2007-02-20) (DVD)
Holly, Amy and Carrie help Holly's mom and Aunt Jessie gather sap for the family's famous maple syrup recipe. When they accidentally spill it, they are all afraid to tell the truth.
4
"Best Friends Forever"
Mario Piluso
Kate Boutilier and Eryk Casemiro Mario Piluso (additional material)
September 7, 2007 (2007-09-07) (TV)[2] September 18, 2007 (2007-09-18) (DVD)
Holly and her friends meet Mrs. Annabelle Crow, the "town witch" who’s actually a nice old lady. When they find out that Annabelle's house is set to be demolished, they come up with a way to save it.
5–6
"Inside Out"
Mario Piluso Brenda Piluso (animation)
Mario and Brenda Piluso (story) Cliff Ruby and Elana Lesser (script)
August 12, 2008 (2008-08-12) (DVD)
"Hats Off"
Holly and her friend from the city, Portia, visit Clover to attend a library auction. However, Portia ends up being mean to Amy and Carrie. Amy and Carrie come to visit Holly in New York City, but Carrie feels homesick from the countryside.
7–8
"Cover Girl"
Mario Piluso Brenda Piluso (animation)
Mario and Brenda Piluso (story) Cliff Ruby and Elana Lesser (script)
February 3, 2009 (2009-02-03) (DVD)
"Reboot"
Holly moves to Clover, but when she starts school, she gets assigned to a different class than Amy and Carrie. There, Holly meets a shy girl named K.T. McGee who’s constantly picked on by her classmates. The school is holding an open house. Holly, Amy and Carrie encourage their new friend K.T. McGee to submit her idea for the student award show.
Broadcast
Holly Hobbie & Friends premiered the first special "Surprise Party" on February 10, 2006 and ended with the fourth special "Best Friends Forever" on September 7, 2007 on Nick Jr. block, and on Noggin channel from December 22, 2006[11] to 2007.
Video game
A video game based on the series for the Nintendo DS released on October 8, 2007. The game was developed by FrontLine Studios and published by Majesco Entertainment.
Reception
The specials received positive reviews. Regina McMenomy, a researcher at Washington State University specializing in female pop culture, praised how Holly embraces her girlishness while still being a "strong, independent" thinker. In comparison, "so many [other] newer girl characters focus on power and gender equality that they've lost their femininity," said McMenomy.[12] Writing for The World, Jacqueline Cutler said that the show keeps the "sweet spirit" of the original Holly Hobbie brand. She also said that it would connect to its target audience: "If you're a traditional little girl and love copious amounts of sugar and everything cute, then Nickelodeon's Holly Hobbie & Friends airing Monday, Nov. 13, is for you."[13]The Dove Foundation awarded the series its "Dove Family-Approved Seal" and wrote that "Holly Hobbie is a wonderful role model for children and adults. She has a way of brightening your day."[14]
