about the book
Lions are the deadliest animal in Africa, surely? No!? Okay, then it’s got to be the crocodile. No again!? Well, then what is the deadliest animal in Africa?
It can’t be.
The hippopotamus?
Yes, and they are terrifying. They have razor-sharp tusks and could chomp a human in half. They weigh more than 50 men. A hippo can run 25 miles per hour, and if one charges you, watch out!
Of course, hippos are playful too, gliding underwater, playing tug-of-war, swatting balls of dung at each other (gross, but still playful), and nuzzle their young ones in the mud.
about the author
From his experiences to dreams or to random thoughts that leap right out of his head, Jonathan London loves it when a new story idea comes his way.
Jonathan began writing poetry in his later teens, and although he studied Social Sciences in college, he always thought of himself as a writer after graduating. He went on to become a dancer in a modern dance company, as well as doing numerous low-paying jobs such as a laborer and counselor.
He did this for 20 years, during which time Jonathan wrote as much as he could. But he only turned to children’s books when he had kids of his own, when he would tell them stories for bedtime. He wrote down one of those stories, which became The Owl Who Became the Moon. His first big break in the children’s book scene came in 1992, with three picture books being published at once, including Froggy Gets Dressed.
Jonathan has lived all over; because his father was in the Navy, he was raised on naval stations throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Today Jonathan has settled down with his wife, Maureen, in semi-rural Northern California, near their two grown sons.
Aside from writing, Jonathan loves swimming. He swims laps outdoors everyday he can, just like his Froggy character.
Source:
Author website
Book trailer: Hippos Are Huge!
Also by Jonathan London:
Duck and Hippo Lost and Found. Two Lions. August 2017.
Pup the Sea Otter. Westwinds Press. April 2017.
Duck and Hippo in the Rainstorm. Two Lions. 2017.
Otters Love to Play. Candlewick Press. 2016.
The Froggy series, Viking Juvenile. 1992-2017.
Little Puffin’s First Flight. Alaska Northwest Books. 2015.
Ollie’s First Year. University of Alaska Press. 2014.
Honey Paw and Lightfoot. Alaska Northwest Books. 2014.
The Seasons of Little Wolf. Westwinds Press. 2014.
The Little Hippo series. Boyds Mills Press. 2012-2013.
Little Lost Tiger. Amazon Children’s Publishing. 2012.
Little Penguin : The Emperor of Antarctica. Amazon Children’s Publishing. 2011.
I’m a Truck Driver. Henry Holt & Company (BYR). 2010.
A Plane Goes Ka-Zoom! Henry Holt & Company (BYR). 2010.
Little Swan. Amazon Children’s Publishing. 2009.
Flamingo Sunset. Amazon Children’s Publishing. 2008.
My Big Rig. Amazon Children’s Publishing. 2007.
about the illustrator
Matthew Trueman grew up in a town called Friuli Venezia Giulia, 45 minutes north of Venice in northern Italy. When it was time for higher education, Matthew moved to the United States and attended the Ringling School of Art and Design, graduating with a B.F.A. in illustration. He now lives by the Delaware River, along with his wife Anna, who is a sommelière, a book artist, and also a print maker, and with their daughter Mina.
When not illustrating, Matt likes spending time in the outdoors, jogging or even baling hay on a friends’ farm. He also has a passion for food, especially food he doesn’t have to cook but gets to eat anyway.
Source:
Illustrator website
Also by Matthew Trueman:
Simon and the Bear : A Hanukkah Tale by Eric A. Kimmel. Disney-Hyperion. 2014.
Tony and the Pizza Champions by Tony Gemignani. Chronicle Books. 2009.
read more!
Duck and Hippo in the Rainstorm by Jonathan London
Duck is so excited it’s spring that she heads over to Hippo’s house. “Want to walk in the rain? It’ll be sooo fun!” Soon the pair is puddle-jumping and sailing town the river. But then a huge wind sends their umbrella up into the sky with one friend holding on! What will they do now?
Mouse and Hippo by Mike Twohy
Hippo didn’t mean to dump Mouse in the lake, but his itch was unbearable! After Hippo rescues Mouse from drowning, the pair form an unlikely friendship. Mouse even paints a portrait of his rescuer! How will the delighted Hippo return the kindness?
That’s Not a Hippopotamus by Juliette MacIver
While on a class trip to Don’s Safari, the children notice that the hippo is missing! In a wild search for the missing mammal, kids catch a giraffe, an elephant, and even a skunk only to be told, “THAT’S not a hippopotamus!” Where is the hippo hiding? Will anyone find him?