Hippospotamus

June 15, 2012
A mysterious pink spot on Hippo's bum provides the MacGuffin for a lottamus of silly wordplay capped by a deliciously gross denouement. "You sat in a breezle / And caught a diseasel," says Weasel. "There's only one treatment. / Exposing your seatment / To sunshine and heatment." Alas, neither that prescription nor other rhyming diagnoses and remedies provided by Fox ("It's hippopox!"), Beaver, Shrew, Snake and other helpful animals make a spot of difference. The look of worry on Hippo's big, blobby face in Ross' loosely drawn and brushed watercolors changes to a smile only after a small lad wanders by and provides the proper diagnosis: "That's my bubble gum!" he exclaims, pulling it off and proceeding to chew. Look for uproarious responses from young audiences, especially at the final page turn. Eeeew. But in a good way. (Picture book. 5-7)

COPYRIGHT(2012) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 1, 2012

K-Gr 2-Hippopotamus is quite distressed to find a "spotamus" on her "bottomus." All of the other animals take turns with diagnoses. Weasel says it's measles, Fox calls it "hippopox," and Beaver says "jungle fever." Hippo listens carefully and tries the suggested cures, one after the other, to no avail. At last a boy wanders by, spies the spot, and knows exactly what it is. He reaches over and removes his misplaced gob of bubble gum from the hippo's rump. This entertaining account of a mysterious red spot is told primarily in rhyming triplets, making for an enjoyable read-aloud rhythm. Children and adults alike will delight in the wordplay. The cartoon-style, watercolor illustrations are expressive and perfectly complement the text.-Debbie Lewis, Alachua County Library District, FL

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.