The One and Only
By Holly Hobbie
The Story
A young pig named Opal feels annoyed when a new classmate named Bubbles starts copying everything she does — until Bubbles runs into trouble in dance class and Opal must decide whether to help her.
Why It's Special
For the kid who's ever felt annoyed by a copycat friend and secretly wondered what to do about it, Opal's dilemma will feel instantly familiar.
- Big idea: Being copied can feel like a compliment or an annoyance — and real kindness means helping someone even when they've gotten under your skin.
- Vibes: Gentle, warm, and true-to-life, with the cozy reassurance of Toot and Puddle's steady friendship in the background.
Perfect For Kids Who
- are working on managing jealousy and irritation
- enjoy stories about school and classmates
- respond well to gentle advice from trusted characters
- like to talk through tricky friendship moments
Ask Your Little Reader
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Opal felt when Bubbles copied her Halloween costume?
- Story & problem-solving: What do you think Opal should do when Bubbles gets into trouble in dance class?
- Real-life connection: Has anyone ever copied something you did? How did it make you feel?
- Imagination: If you were Toot or Puddle, what advice would you give Opal?
- Real-life connection: Can you think of a time you helped someone even though you were annoyed with them?
