Booklist Review

Hippo and Rabbit (Hippo and Rabbit in Three Short Tales, 2011) return to star in another trio of shared adventures. Each short tale, rendered in comic-book style, is clearly told through simple panels and dialogue in word balloons. In Bugs, Hippo is scared of a spider, while Rabbit is not, but the tables turn when a bee enters the picture. Hippo has a treat for rabbit in Balloons, and it's, well, a balloon but Hippo is afraid it will pop. The final chapter, Bath, is perhaps the funniest, because Hippo appears in his tighty-whitey underpants. Ironically, he's a hippo who doesn't want to get wet, but bath toys and bubbles! help lure him to the tub. Kids will surely relate to Hippo's fears and will admire brave Rabbit, who pushes Hippo out of his comfort zone. The uncluttered art zeros in on the characters' faces, with just a hint of setting shown in the background, and is lovely in its simplicity. Introduce these friends to brave new readers.--Kelley, Ann Copyright 2010 Booklist