The Truth About Hippos

Starred review from January 22, 2018
A girl learns about pygmy and common hippos from the animals themselves in this irreverent and very funny series opener. Eaton’s concise narration serves as a kind of straight man to the animals’ plucky one-liners and commentary. “A common hippo can weigh as much as four cows,” he notes, as an accompanying cartoon shows a lollipop-licking hippo sitting opposite four cows on a seesaw. “This doesn’t feel safe,” says one of the cows. “It’s not,” quips the girl, who’s also on the seesaw. A subplot has a hippo calf trying to find its mother, and Eaton mischievously undercuts their happy reunion with details about threats facing hippos (“We were having a moment,” complains the mother hippo). Kids who need convincing that learning can be fun need look no further for proof. Also available: The Truth About Bears. Ages 4–8. Agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio.

February 1, 2018

Gr 1-3-Accompanied by cartoon, comic book-like illustrations, information on the common hippo and the pygmy hippo is presented in a comedic fashion. The text moves along quickly with a factual sentence or two per page, while speech bubbles contain jokes and silly commentary. Their habitats, diets, activities, and bodies, including a nice sight gag on their bathroom habits, are covered. Additional brief facts are set in colorful boxes. Kids will enjoy the humor as the cute hippos are personified. The pygmy hippo, for example, describes itself as "small but sassy." In a sweet side story, a baby hippo searches for its oblivious mother throughout. The last spread succinctly recaps facts and jokes as well as includes books for further research, one for kids and one for adults. The slight back matter makes this more appropriate for browsing and a quick laugh rather than reports. VERDICT Consider for an educational storytime or to motivate reluctant readers.-Elissa Cooper, Helen Plum Memorial Library, Lombard, IL

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2017
Fast facts about hippopotamuses embedded in cartoons.Appealing cartoon illustrations of talking animals, a slim story about a lost calf, and an even slimmer joke about hippos riding bikes enliven this basic introduction to the hippopotamus family. Eaton identifies the two main species, common and pygmy hippopotamuses, and then distinguishes between the two. Each page or double-page spread includes a factoid or two describing weight, habitat, favorite foods, and behaviors. Digitally colored pen-and-ink cartoons show talking animals as well as a young white human observer. Speech bubbles and occasional text boxes add humor and further interesting information. Readers and listeners may be particularly amused by hippo bathroom habits: flicking their tails, they splatter their poop, perhaps "to mark trails or show dominance." But there is solid, serious information here as well. "Hippos have big teeth, but that doesn't keep them completely safe." The author gently mentions threats to hippos, such as hunting and habitat destruction, and encourages his audience to "help by learning more about hippos and then teaching others." In a nice touch, the concluding spread includes a review of hippo facts from the text and suggestions for further research, including lists of books for younger and older readers. A promising first entry in a new series of picture books introducing iconic mammals to young readers with a sense of humor. (Informational picture book. 5-9)

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January 1, 2018
Preschool-G Bubbly cartoon hippos wander the pages of this introduction to the humongous African mammals and offer tidbits of information for the youngest set. Eaton's simple figures in bold, saturated colors are a friendly vehicle for the science presented here. Silly jokes leaven the factscheck out that hippo being really bad at riding a bike, or the bird wisely steering clear of a hippo's backsidewhich range from habitat and parenting behaviors to the famous habit hippos have of splattering their poop around with their tails, an attribute sure to delight kids who like gross-out humor. Eaton presents both pygmy hippos and common hippos, and a light frame narrative of a baby pygmy hippo trying to find its mother drives the pages forward nicely. While the cartoonish artwork, lively tone, and dry humor will give this easy appeal for kiddos, it's still dense enough with science that they'll come away with plenty of facts to spout on their next trip to the zoo. Hand to fans of Jonathan London's Hippos Are Huge! (2015).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)