Common Sense Media Review
By Patricia Tauzer
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Thoughtful boy solves case of mistaken identity.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
The rhinoceros gets more and more frustrated after the zookeeper misidentifies him as a hippo. No one seems to notice, or care, until a small boy comes along and makes things right.
Is It Any Good?
Expressive mixed-media illustrations will draw readers back to this book time and time again. From the growing confusion on the face of the zookeeper to the many moods of the misidentified rhino and the startled reactions of onlookers, Jeff Newman uses pencil, ink, marker, watercolor, gouache, colored pencil, pastels, and cut paper to tell a simple but humorous and impressive story.
But the text is minimal, which means most young kids won't understand it the first time and adult readers will have to add some explanation. Happily, each page offers a plethora of enjoyable detail that encourages discussion and will quickly unravel the story. Kids will love acting out the part of the frustrated rhino and relate to his struggle. HIPPO...NO, RHINO! was named an ALA Notable book for 2007.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about zoos, animals, signs, hippos, rhinos, the birds on the rhino's back, and all the other details illustrated in this almost wordless book. They also might discuss the differences between hippos and rhinos. Why is the rhino feeling so frustrated? How would you feel if you were called the wrong name? What would you do about it? Why do you think no one else but the young boy noticed that the sign was wrong?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Jeff Newman
- Genre : Picture Book
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Little, Brown and Company
- Publication date : July 12, 2006
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 7
- Number of pages : 32
- Award : ALA Best and Notable Books
- Last updated : July 12, 2017
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