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Hissss!

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 4; suggested age 4.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Illustrations capture splendor of a summer day.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 4 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Not an issue.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Hissss! was written by Ann Marie Sammataro

Parents need to know that brief but jaunty sentences combined with brightly colored illustrations portray summertime fun.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about their favorite things to do on a sunny day. How about when it's rainy?
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More on Hissss!

Book Summary

It's a sultry summer afternoon and Kipper fancies a dip in his wading pool. Disaster seems imminent as his pool springs a leak. It's up to Kipper to use his head, literally in this case, to resolved this soggy dilemma. Sunshine-bright illustrations capture the splendor of a summer's day.

Is It Any Good?

HISSSS! is another entry in Mick Inkpen's Little Kippers, which features engaging everyday topics for toddlers and preschool-age children. In HISSSS! Kipper models exemplary problem-solving skills, ingeniously rectifying the situation on his own -- a vital developmental milestone for young children. His zany but effective solution generated plenty of grins from one preschooler. The slightly longer but simple format makes this a great intermediate book for children who find board books a breeze but are not quite ready for full-length picture books.

Charismatic, full-color illustrations celebrate the lazy days of summer, capturing a kid's-eye-view of a perfect day: reclining on a sun-warmed blanket, slurping a melting ice cream cone, and reclining in a wading pool. The drawings of the cuddly Kipper are irresistibly cute. Several readings of this tale will have little ones longing for the mercury to rise.

Publisher’s Details

Publisher: Harcourt Brace, Publication date: 1/1/1999
Number of pages: 16, Price: $4.95 (paperback)
Read Aloud: 4+, Read Alone: 6+

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