Hidden Hippo [Hardcover]

Joan Gannij (Author), Clare Beaton (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2008 | Age Level: 3 and up

Told from the perspective of a child on safari, Hidden Hippo takes the reader on a journey through the grasslands of Africa to encounter elephants, giraffes, zebras and many other creatures. But the animal to look out for is the hippo, and finally with a loud splash, there it is!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2—On safari, an unseen narrator hopes "to see/A hippo or two,/Perhaps even three?" Clever rhyming verse details the spectacular sights along the way, such as lions, chimpanzees, and sleepy leopards, "Relaxing in trees." This expansive tour of the African Plains is brought to life through Beaton's signature fabric appliqué collages. Gray felt elephants splash themselves clean with streams of water accented by silver beads. Crocodiles with shiny sequined scales lounge on a textured shore. The vibrant colors capture the hot, arid habitat. Observant readers will spot the "hidden hippo" on each spread—sometimes peeking up from the water, or disguised as a rock, or partially obscured by a tree. Endnotes include descriptions of the featured animals as well as information on recent efforts to protect endangered species. Young adventurers and conservationists alike will pore over this visually stunning story.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada
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Review

On safari, an unseen narrator hopes to see/A hippo or two/Perhaps even three? Clever rhyming verse details the spectacular sights along the way, such as lions, chimpanzees, and sleepy leopards, ''Relaxing in tree''. This expansive tour of the African Plains is brought to life through Beaton's signature fabric applique collages. Gray felt elephants splash themselves clean with streams of water accented by silver beads. Crocodiles with shiny sequined scales lounge on a textured shore. The vibrant colors capture the hot, arid habitat. Observant readers will spot the''hidden hippo'' on each spread sometimes peeking up from the water, or disguised as a rock, or partially obscured by a tree. Endnotes include descriptions of the featured animals as well as information on recent efforts to protect endangered species. Young adventurers and conservationists alike will pore over this visually stunning story. --School Library Journal

This rhyming, interactive safari romp introduces animals of the African plains with Beaton's trademark full-page spreads created in decorative fabric and colorful felt applique...Succinct, informative paragraphs for each featured creature combine with a Meet the Hippo! page and information about the conservation efforts of various wildlife societies to complete this lively tour delivered in simple, easily recited verse. For flannel storyboards choices, this one provides some clear and basic ideas. A delightfully tame excursion. --Kirkus Review

This rhyming, interactive safari romp introduces animals of the African plains with Beaton's trademark full-page spreads created in decorative fabric and colorful felt applique...Succinct, informative paragraphs for each featured creature combine with a Meet the Hippo! page and information about the conservation efforts of various wildlife societies to complete this lively tour delivered in simple, easily recited verse. For flannel storyboards choices, this one provides some clear and basic ideas. A delightfully tame excursion. --Kirkus Review

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Barefoot Books (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1846861705
• ISBN-13: 978-1846861703
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 9.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #514,383 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Delightful, October 20, 2008

By 

Bonnie Neely - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hidden Hippo (Hardcover)

Hidden Hippo by Joan Gannij & Clare Beaton This adorable book will be a favorite from early toddler through pre-school years. It is a simple story in rhyming verse with jungle animals on each page. The illustrations are wonderfully stitched by Clare Beaton with her felt and embroidery, bric-a-brac and fabulously appropriate fabrics, which create all the colorful jungle scenes. And to your child's delight there is a hippo hiding on each page. The kids will adore pointing out each one they find. A perfect gift for any pre-schooler. The end matter has facts about each of the animals depicted and great information to share with your child about protecting endangered species of the world, especially some hippos.

5.0 out of 5 stars My baby loves it!, August 17, 2011

By 

Stephanie C Flint,Stephanie C Flint (Santa Clara, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hidden Hippo (Paperback)

I know this book is intended for children ages 4 to 8, but the pictures are so vibrant and the colors so vivid that my infant loves to look at this book. There's even information about the animals in the back of the book, which is fun and educational for older kids. Two pages cover info on flamingos, leopards, lions, rhinos, wildebeests and zebras; another couple pages has info about endangered species and how to help them; and the last page is full of information about hippos. This one is a winner!

5.0 out of 5 stars My daughter's current favorite..., July 17, 2011

By 

D. Dunlap "Dave the Dad" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hidden Hippo (Fun First Steps) (Board book)

My daughter's almost a year old, and continues to hand me this book to read to her-- sometimes several times in a row.

It's a quick, fun read, and as you would expect, there's a hidden hippo (or as best as a hippo can hide) on every page. What I like about the book, especially when it's been handed for me to read for the 4th time in a row, is that there is a lot going on in the illustrations. We will do whole "reads" of this book where we do nothing but point out and name the multitude of animals in it. Zebras, rhinos, lions, elephants, crocodiles, etc. etc. I honestly don't know what makes her take to a book, because it's not all of them. That said, she has taken to this book, and I like reading it to her and teaching her other animals than the farm animals that most of her books are about.