When I Woke Up I Was A Hippopotamus
Anderson Press/Random House Books
age 5-8
Written by Tom MacRae, illustrated by Ross Collins
32 pages
Synopsis from Random House Books:
A deliciously funny tale from the author of the acclaimed The Opposite, illustrated by the award-winning Ross Collins.
“When I woke up I was a hippopotamus. Yawning in the morning, I raised up my sleepy head, Then took one look out of the window and got straight back into bed.”
A small boy’s fantasies about being different creatures get him into all sorts of mischief.
We see our children as kids playing pretend but in their mind they become the elements in their imagination. When I Woke Up I Was A Hippopotamus explores a young boy’s imagination, as he changes from different creatures throughout his day. Kids will relate to the various creatures or similar ones based on their own feelings during the day: stomping like a monster in their room when playing, staying cuddled in their blanketsin the morning like a hippo in its sludge. The story might even stir tales of different creatures your own kids like to be.
When I Woke Up I Was A Hippopotamus is a great story about a child’s imagination and connection with the world around them. It might also be a reminder to us parents that being a kid isn’t about just being a kid; it’s about being all the things we dream we could be too. Sometimes becoming something else is just a way for kids to express how they feel.
You can find a copy of When I Woke Up I Was A Hippopotamus by visiting your local bookstore or visiting Random House Books. Visit our Kid’s Books section for other great book recommendations.
I have to thank Random House Books for my review copy.