That’s What Makes A Hippopotamus Smile by Sean Taylor & Laurent Cardon (Children’s, Picture book, 9/10E, semi short 'n' sweet review)

3rd July 2014, Frances Lincoln, 32 pages, Hardback, Review copy

Content: smiles

Summary from Frances Lincoln

When a hippopotamus comes round to your house
don’t be worried or scared by his size,
just hug him and open the door really wide
because… that’s what makes a hippopotamus come inside!

What do you do when a hippopotamus comes to visit? Play splashy-sploshy games, of course, to make him happy... 

Nayuleska's thoughts

I thought the girl in the story was really sweet – her expression on the front page, and also on the acknowledgement page made me smile a lot. I think there’s sort of a hidden meaning behind the hippo coming over and doing various activities. They seem to be daily ones which everyone does, which might help the reader get into good habits – such as choosing healthier food over sweet treats for dinner.

I wouldn’t want to be the girl’s parents since the hippo wrecked the doorway and had more than a splash in the tub! There was a cute frog which featured on nearly every page in some way, mostly helping the hippo out. There wasn’t anything obvious which I wasn’t keen on, the hippo wasn’t as cute as I’d have liked – I am super fussy with illustrations!

Find out more on Sean's website.

Suggested read

Another read involving animals going into a house is Boom, Baby, Boom Boom! by Margaret Mahy & Margaret Chamberlain (Children's, Picture book, 10E/10E)