How to Clean a Hippototamus

How to Clean a Hippopotamus
by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2010. 32 pages. Nonfiction

So, do you know why a giraffe lets an oxpecker climb into its ear? How about how a turtle keeps a hippopotamus clean? How to Clean a Hippopotamus explains these and a host (no pun intended) of other amazing symbiotic relationships in nature. The graphic novel format is colorful and interesting, and you are able to follow the progression of the relationships through multiple panels on each page.

Some symbiotic relationships are fairly gross, such as the plover being a crocodile's toothpick, or seagulls prying worms and parasites from a grateful sunfish, and some are fairly violent, such as the teaming up of a badger and a wolf to hunt prairie dogs. However, the beautiful illustrations are collages of cut and torn paper--they are clear and detailed, but not graphic. This book is interesting and delightful at the same time.

To get a taste of what is in store in How to Clean a Hippopotamus, go to How to Clean a Hippopotamus video on Amazon and click on the play button under "Check out related media."

Comments

An ABC of Flowers

An ABC of Flowers by Jutta Hilpuesch New York, NY : Philomel Books, [2019] It turns out there really is a flower for every letter. This sweet book has a photograph of every flower and a sweet cartoon illustration to go along with it. All your favorite flowers are here (forget-me-nots, mums, and sunflowers), along with some you probably haven't heard of before (billy ball, kalanchoe, xeranthemum?). This is a perfect book for reading together, and readers of any age will enjoy every page. Don't miss this great springtime alphabet book.

From Story Time: The Letter "B"

From Monday Book Babies Bird, Balloon, Bear By Il Sung Na Alfred A. Knopf, 2017. Picture Book. Bird is new to the forest, and he’s looking for a friend. Bear could use a friend, too. But Bird is too shy to introduce himself. Just as he musters the courage to say hello . . . it’s too late! Bear has already found a friend: a bright, shiny red balloon. Has Bird missed his chance? From the acclaimed Il Sung Na comes a charming and beautifully illustrated story about courage, kindness, and friendship. --Publisher From Monday Cuentos El primer día de un colegio Texto de Adam Rex Ilustraciones de Christian Robinson Traducción de Teresa Mlawer Editorial Corimbo, 2017. Spanish Picture Book. Aquel verano, cuando terminaron de construir la escuela Frederick Douglass, el edificio comenzó a hacerse muchas preguntas: ¿Cuál será mi destino? ¿Quién vivirá entre mis paredes? ¿Para qué me utilizarán? Através de sus conversaciones con el conserje y t...

Display: Out of this World Books Found Here

Hello By Aiko Ikegami Berkeley, CA: Creston Books, 2019. Picture book. In this wordless picture book, an alien visits Earth, makes friends with a little girl, and returns to his home planet to share his experiences. - Publisher We Are Definitely Human By X. Fang Toronto: Tundra Books, 2024. Picture book. When three mysterious visitors from "Europe" crash-land in Mr. Li's field, he does what any good host would: he invites them back to his farmhouse and offers to help fix up their "car". No, there's nothing strange about these guests at all. Just like other humans, they "make business", "play sportsball" and "wear hat". As the townsfolk also come to the aid of the visitors and the gathering turns into a little party, interplanetary relations reach an all-time high. - Publisher Greetings Floof! Written by C.J. Hong Illustrated by A.J. Smith Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2024. Picture book. Floof from planet Ploof has landed! And it...

Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Search This Blog