Happy Happy HIppos

 

Harvey the Hippo Wants to Fly

By Lisa Sankar-Zhu

Age Level: 2-7

Print Length: 33 pages

Publication Date: December 31, 2015

ASIN: B019GIT72S

 

Publisher’s Blurb:

An ebook, "Harvey Hippo Wants to Fly!", is about the most adorable hippo in the world! He is everybody's friend. Kids love him, and can't get enough of his stories for children - always published first in ebook form. Parents can’t help but love him too, because the kids stories he appears in are inspiring.

 

My Thoughts:

First thought? The blurb is totally useless.

 

Okay. This book has really cute illustrations, and an entertaining story. Harvey wants to fly and, even though his parents don’t understand the desire, they try to help him. After repeated failures, Harvey’s mother, finally understanding just why he wants so badly to fly, encourages him to look at the problem from another angle, and that enables Harvey to reach his goal at last.

 

Harvey Hippo Invites a New Friend to Lunch

By Lisa Sankar-Zhu

Age Level: 2-7

Print Length: 30 pages

Publication Date: June 30, 2016

ASIN: B01EQQVAUC

 

Publisher’s Blurb:

Harvey Hippo has many friends, and he’s always making new ones. In this second book in the Harvey Hippo picture book series, we meet his new friend. He wants to invite her over to lunch and his parents agree. Boy, are they in for a surprise!

 

My Thoughts:

This second installment of Harvey Hippo is just as cute as the first, and continues the subtle lessons for young children. This time, Harvey’s friend is someone his parents might not have considered asking over. She eats rather differently from them, and has never eaten grass pie before. Nonetheless, she turns out to be a delightful guest, and Harvey’s parents are ready to meet another of his unusual friends some time.

 

Possible Objectionable Material:

As with most picture books, there’s very little I can come up with. Harvey is allowed to use hammer and nails while building wings. He and his new friend play on their electronic devices in Harvey’s room. You can see I’m really stretching here.

 

Who Might Like This Book:

These are great readalouds for the target age range, who will enjoy the bright illustrations, the comfortable family life, and the happy stories.

 

 

Thank you, NetGalley for the ARCs.