Never Babysit the Hippopotamuses! [Paperback]

Doug Johnson (Author), Abby Carter (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up

"Sure to evoke giggles, especially from children who may have been the subject of such warnings themselves.... For a story time of big-bellied laughs." --School Library Journal

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Johnson debuts with a comic cautionary tale that wryly catalogues the eminently sensible reasons not to spend a night caring for brother and sister pachyderms. "Don't play leapfrog with them, they can be hard to jump over," the narrator prudently cautions. "Bathtime is crazy. The Hippos love to do cannonballs into the tub." As the night wears on, the outsize charges continue to wreak havoc on the house--and on their battle-weary sitter--with a variety of escapades that unfold in a deadpan recital punctuated by an ever-more anxious refrain, "Oh, never, ever babysit the Hippopotamuses!" Johnson wraps up the book with a punchline that makes a night chez Hippo look like a cakewalk--never baby-sit the Hippopotamuses "unless, of course, your only other choice is to babysit their neighbors, the Monkeys!" Carter's (the Spurwink Gang books) watercolors, with their wriggling ink lines and vivid greens and violets, generate the requisite level of manic energy. Ages 4-7.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-This story is built around the cautionary refrain of the title, which is echoed throughout. It is sure to evoke giggles, especially from children who may have been the subjects of such warnings themselves. The boy narrator/ babysitter gives a detailed account of what an evening with these beasts is like, along with advice on their care. Dancing, leap frog, football, and wrestling are not recommended. Bathtime is complicated by the hippos' penchant for doing cannonballs in the tub, and getting them into their pajamas and brushing their teeth is no picnic, either. The one thing that makes sitting for them look good is the thought of caring for their neighbors, the Monkeys. Carter's watercolor illustrations reflect and expand on the antics in the text, and add their own humorous touches: the pictures on the walls, the reading material, and household products are all of special interest to hippos. For a story time of big-bellied laughs, use this title with Mike Thaler's Seven Little Hippos (S.&S., 1991).
Lisa S. Murphy, Dauphin County Library System, Harrisburg, PA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (March 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805050299
• ISBN-13: 978-0805050295
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,248,839 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Cute, quick read, April 20, 2006

By 

Kenneth Higbee "regular joe reader" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Never Babysit the Hippopotamuses (Paperback)

Imagine the difficulties in babysitting two hippopotamuses and trying to get them to go to bed. You have to deal with games, stories, bath time, pajamas, and ... the hippos being afraid of the dark.

"Never Babysit the Hippopotamuses" by Doug Johnson is a fun book and a quick read for bedtime reading to your toddler.

5.0 out of 5 stars Never Babysit the Hippopotamuses, July 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Never Babysit the Hippopotamuses! (Paperback)

I enjoyed reading "Never Babysit the Hippopotamuses", to my four year old nephew. He really enjoyed the wacky chain of events in this book. This book enables a small child to really use their imagination. At the end of the story, you can ask the child, if they would rather babysit the Hippo's or their next door neighor the Monkeys? We both liked the colorful illustrations. I would highly recommend this book.