
A parent might reach for this book when their imaginative child feels a little different or misunderstood for their unique quirks. In this wonderfully absurd tale, a small boy named Robert is followed home from school each day by a growing herd of hippopotami. The story explores themes of individuality and acceptance through a lens of pure whimsy. As Robert's parents seek a magical 'cure' for his hippo problem, the book gently suggests that what makes us special isn't something to be fixed. It's a perfect story for early elementary readers, celebrating creativity and the joy of embracing the unexpected in ourselves and others.
The book's core theme is about being different, handled metaphorically. The hippos represent a unique quality in Robert that attracts attention. The 'problem' is not Robert's feelings but the perception of the adults around him. The attempt to 'cure' his uniqueness doesn't erase it but simply changes its form. The resolution is entirely hopeful and secular, celebrating that one's special qualities are persistent and a source of delight.
This book is perfect for a 6 to 8-year-old with a robust imagination or a quirky trait that makes them stand out. It's for the child who might be starting to notice they are different, but isn't necessarily sad about it. It validates their uniqueness in a silly, non-preachy way, reinforcing the idea that being different can be delightful.
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Sign in to write a reviewNo preparation is needed. The book can be read cold. The character of the witch is presented as a helpful, friendly professional, not a scary figure. Parents should be ready to linger on the illustrations by Steven Kellogg, as they contain much of the story's humor and charm. A parent has noticed their child's unique interest or habit (e.g., talking to inanimate objects, a peculiar fashion choice) is getting comments from others. The parent wants a story to celebrate their child's individuality without sitting them down for a heavy 'it's okay to be different' talk. They are looking for a story that normalizes strangeness as wonderful.
A younger child (6-7) will delight in the visual humor and the escalating absurdity of the hippos. They'll focus on the silliness of the situation. An older child (8-9) is more likely to pick up on the subtle metaphor about individuality. They will appreciate the witty conclusion that being unique is an unchangeable, wonderful part of who Robert is.
Unlike many books on individuality that frame 'being different' around social rejection or sadness, this story presents it as a whimsical, logistical puzzle. The central conflict is about what to do with 43 hippos, not about Robert's feelings of otherness. This use of surreal humor makes the message of self-acceptance feel joyful and organic rather than moralistic.
A young boy, Robert, is 'rather pleased' when one hippopotamus follows him home from school. However, the next day there are two, and soon he has a herd of forty-three hippos crowding his yard every afternoon. His practical parents, concerned about the logistics, take him to see a local ex-witch for a cure. She provides a pill that successfully stops the hippos, but it has one 'disadvantage': the next day, Robert is followed home by a giraffe, which he seems perfectly happy about.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.