But Not the Hippopotamus (Boynton on Board)
Serious silliness for all ages. Artist Sandra Boynton is back and better than ever with completely redrawn versions of her multi-million selling board books. These whimsical and hilarious books, featuring nontraditional texts and her famous animal characters, have been printed on thick board pages, and are sure to educate and entertain children of all ages.
Reviews (196)
But YES!!! The hippopotamus!!!
This was my twin’s favorite book when they were small. I don’t know where that copy is now, so I bought another just to have for myself as a momento from those joyous times. I used to be very expressive when I’d read it to them, using a sad perplexed voice in the first part, and using the ending as a grand crescendo; “And she just doesn’t know - Should she stay? Should she go? But YES!!! The hippopotamus!!!” It’s a good book for that kind of thing. Their eyes would be all shiny and they’d be sucking madly on their binkies, filled with - I don’t know what - glee? They’d just love it. It was part of their nighttime ritual. Tearing up here!
Alternate interpretation of the book - maybe the hippo is just shy, not excluded?
I wonder if this book is horribly misunderstood. I too read it at first as the hippopotamus being excluded - but then I thought deep thoughts wondering why a wonderful children's author would write that storyline. It doesn't make sense. So I read the book with fresh eyes and I think I've found a different meaning for the book - maybe it is that the hippopotamus is shy. The other animals run by at the end and they notice she's watching and so they invite her - and she's shy so she isn't sure "should she stay or should she go" but then she jumps in and has a blast. Then we're left wondering about the armadillo - and I just saw that there was a new book published that seems to answer that question - and I have a board book buying habit/problem... So I'm off to answer that question as soon as Prime can ship me the book
The exhilarating, riveting and rhyming tale of one lonely being's stuggles with constant rejection
This is our family's 3rd copy of this classic board book from Sandra Boynton...we literally read the others to death through our 5 (soon to be 6) children, so it was time to get a fresh copy. This adorable story is about a hippopotamus who watches life go by...everyone busy with social lives and activities that pointedly do not include her. Far be if from me to give a plot spoiler on this delightful 14 page board book, but it definitely leaves you with a tear jerking (ok..maybe it is only our 18 month old who fake cries and gives the character a sympathetic kiss?) ending that begs for a sequel. The illustrations are absolutely charming and the range of emotions this seemingly silly little rhyming store evokes is surprising! We always include this in our new baby gift baskets as it is a long time family favorite that the older kids never tire of reading to their siblings. **Odd note...somewhere along the line, the author changed a few words in this book and, for those of us who had completely memorized the original text, it was mildly annoying... lol She did the same thing with another one of our favorites
Horrible story line
Hate the message of this book, especially on the last page. They finally include the hippo but still leave out the armadillo. I dont want my daughter thinking this is acceptable behavior. I took a sharpie and changed the ending to include the armadillo.
A revised edition?
We love board books... they are a wonderful introduction to reading for infants and toddlers. My 4 star rating has more to do with a change in the wording on the first page than anything else - the original reads "A hog and a dog do a dance in a bog..." this new one reads "cavort in a bog" - I can appreciate expanding one's vocabulary, but how many little ones understand "cavort"? Wondering why the change in wording, and very much prefer the original. Otherwise, it is the same well written book that we've had to replace with each of our young children because it is so well loved... board books are intended for the less-than-gentle book handling of little hands so they aren't expected to last forever, but these do a good job of holding up to one or two littles before needing to be replaced. Sticky fingers touched the page? No problem, a lightly damp cloth will wipe off the page without ruining the book, unlike regular paper pages. Simple and easy. Now who with little ones doesn't like simple and easy?? This has long been a favorite toddler story in our household, though it's a tough call to decide which of Sandra Boynton's books are the best, because quite frankly, they are all good!
One of the best baby books
This book is the one I always give at baby showers. It was/is an ultimate favorite for both my kids when they were anywhere from 6 months to 3 years. It is repetitive enough that they can share in the reading, and not boring in any way, and has the greatest ending that can be read with great enthusiasm. I've read this book probably realistically 500 times in the past 4 years. Maybe 800. And never get tired of it and neither do the kids, which is an amazing feat. We have so many books thanks to garage sales, library book sales, and this one stands out. Highly recommend. Oh also, the best Boynton book by far. Go for her older rather than new releases.
Great Story, Adorable Pictures
Sandra Boynton writes, hands down, my favorite children's books. I learned about them when our school librarian bought a couple for my daughter. Her illustrations are adorable and her stories are too! Barnyard Dance is my favorite,but I won almost all of them. Some are educational (Opposites) and some are just fun (Dinosaur Dance). I have also bought these as gifts and everyone absolutely adores them. If you are looking for a short, fun book for a little kid, get one of these. They might not be complex enough to hold the attention of older kids though (but I don't know because I don't have any older kids).
Learning about shyness
This is a truly adorable book, which I believe shows the message of some personalities being shy and needing others to go out of their way to include them. Our 18 month old daughter picks this out from her many books on a daily basis. When it comes to the page of the hippopotamus not knowing if she should stay or go, our daughter always says "awe" as if she is being emphathetic to the hippos shyness. We have read this to her 3 and 5 year old cousins and they enjoyed it as well. The three year old asked why the hippo didn't like to play with the other animals. He seemed to really think about it when I explained that she wanted to but she was too shy to join in. As with all of her books, Sandra Boynton gives great rhyming and fun characters. We have quite a collection of her books but I would say this is in my top five of enjoyable ones to read over and over.
I love her! The kids love her
Sandra Boynton! I love her! The kids love her... The Hippopotamus wants to do all of the things she sees some other kid animals doing but she's too afraid to ask to play... Then they ask her and she is so happy and goes to play.... But not the Armadillo:) spoiler sorry... It is a really good book! Kids love it! It shows to be kind and invite other kids along if they are alone and look like they want to play... Good values in these books!
Clever and cute with a great message
This is another great Boynton book with clever rhymes and illustrations that also makes a clear point our toddlers instantly grasped. Several animals are out having fun, a hog and a frog play in the bog, a cat and some rats try on hats etc... but not the Hippopotamus. The hippo lurks in each scene lonely and excluded until finally the others invite her (him? does it matter?) to join. But then we see a new animal excluded, and the girls instantly get it. They should welcome everyone. It's a great message for kids of all ages and told very, very well.
Comments
Post a Comment