Green Hippo’s friends are worried about him because he seems so sad. He tells them that someone has said that green hippos don’t exist. One by one his friends try to comfort him but Green Hippo wanders off through the meadow, too downcast to notice the varied colours of the butterflies and flowers. Looking at his reflection in a pond he is suddenly aware of all the beautiful different coloured fish. Looking up he sees the birds in the trees –all different from each other and singing different songs. Suddenly Green Hippo feels very happy and rushes off to tell his friends that he’s realised that it’s a wonderful thing that all the birds, animals and flowers are different from each other. They are pleased to see him and introduce another friend. Green Hippo just can’t believe it – another hippo. ‘Hello’ says Pink Hippo and joins a now very happy and smiling group of friends. Petr Horáček’s bold and colourful illustrations match the brightness of the story with beautifully textured foliage, birds and animals. The sumptuously coloured endpapers hint at what Green Hippo comes to value as symbols of the joy of variety amongst friends. Suitable for reading aloud to children of 2 upwards, this story of friendship encourages joining in with gusto.
Eve Bearne
Green Hippo by Petr Horáček
Walker Books
ISBN 9781529522457
£12.99
Published 2025
