Hippopotamister

Written and Illustrated by John Patrick Green

The zoo isn’t what it used to be. It’s run down, and Hippo hardly ever gets any visitors. So he decides to set off for the outside with his friend Red Panda. To make it in the human world, Hippo will have to become a Hippopotamister: he’ll have to act like a human, get a job, and wear a hat as a disguise. He’s a good employee, whether he’s a construction worker, a hair stylist, or a sous chef. But what he really needs is a job where he can be himself.

Sparse text makes this a great graphic novel for younger kids. The illustrations are so expressive that the story does not lack for text. Kids will enjoy following Red Panda and Hippopotamus through adventures in different careers. Drawing instructions at the end of the book encourage students to make up their own stories.

Review by Jessica Riggs, Robert Frost Elementary Media Center
Rating: ★★★★✩ (4 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 2-4

Hippopotamister
Written and Illustrated by John Patrick Green
First Second
84 pages
Release Date: May 10, 2016
A review copy was provided by the publisher.