Hello, Hippo! Goodbye, Bird!

Illustrated by Poly Bernatene
$6.99 US
RH Childrens Books | Knopf Books for Young Readers
On sale Apr 12, 2016 | 978-0-553-50992-2
Age 3-7 years
Reading Level: Lexile AD220L | Fountas & Pinnell I
Sales rights: World
A hilarious picture book about a grumpy hippo, a persistent bird, and a delightful friendship!
 
Bird wants to be Hippo’s friend!
Hippo wants to be left alone.
 
Bird makes a great hat for Hippo. He tells hilarious hippo jokes. He keeps the bugs away (can you say lunch!?).
Hippo wants Bird to GO AWAY.
 
But then the sky gets darker. And darker.
Thunder crashes all around.
Maybe Hippo could use a friend?
"Crow’s warmhearted buddy tale is generously infused with energetic humor, and Bernatene depicts both Hippo and Bird with a perfect balance of gruff and goofy, reluctance and excitement. Against the backdrop of a teeming African landscape, and while flamingos, zebras, a rhino, elephant, antelope, and giraffe look on, author and artist show how frenemies become BFFs. What’s not to love about that?" —Booklist

"This humorous tale of two unlikely companions is an entertaining discussion starter for children about how (and how not) to make friends." —School Library Journal

"Scenes of Hippo submerged underwater, frolicking idyllically in the grass, and wailing in terror in the storm steal the show. Though unlikely-friendship tales are a dime a dozen, this humorous, fun-filled take is well worth a look." —Kirkus

About

A hilarious picture book about a grumpy hippo, a persistent bird, and a delightful friendship!
 
Bird wants to be Hippo’s friend!
Hippo wants to be left alone.
 
Bird makes a great hat for Hippo. He tells hilarious hippo jokes. He keeps the bugs away (can you say lunch!?).
Hippo wants Bird to GO AWAY.
 
But then the sky gets darker. And darker.
Thunder crashes all around.
Maybe Hippo could use a friend?

Praise

"Crow’s warmhearted buddy tale is generously infused with energetic humor, and Bernatene depicts both Hippo and Bird with a perfect balance of gruff and goofy, reluctance and excitement. Against the backdrop of a teeming African landscape, and while flamingos, zebras, a rhino, elephant, antelope, and giraffe look on, author and artist show how frenemies become BFFs. What’s not to love about that?" —Booklist

"This humorous tale of two unlikely companions is an entertaining discussion starter for children about how (and how not) to make friends." —School Library Journal

"Scenes of Hippo submerged underwater, frolicking idyllically in the grass, and wailing in terror in the storm steal the show. Though unlikely-friendship tales are a dime a dozen, this humorous, fun-filled take is well worth a look." —Kirkus