I Had a Hippopotamus

By Hector Viveros Lee
Paperback: $11.95

A box of animal crackers inspires a Mexican American boy to imagine what he would do with an eclectic array of creatures.

Front cover for Yo tenía un hipopótamo - Bebop by Hector Lee and Hector Lee
This book is also available in Spanish
Yo tenía un hipopótamo – Bebop
By Hector Viveros Lee
Front cover for I Had a Hippopotamus - Bebop by Hector Lee and Hector Lee
This book is also available in English
I Had a Hippopotamus – Bebop
By Hector Viveros Lee
Front cover for Yo tenía un hipopótamo by Hector Lee and Hector Lee
This book is also available in Spanish
Yo tenía un hipopótamo
By Hector Viveros Lee

Description

What would you do if you had a hippopotamus?
Or a kangaroo? Or a crocodile?

This sturdy board book is designed to celebrate the joy of sharing, unleash the imaginations of children, and delight young readers and listeners again and again. In it, Uncle gets the melodious coyote, best friend gets the speedy jaguar, and the lucky girl next door gets the reluctant wart hog. Best of all is the surprise that’s left when the box is empty!

Inspired by his classroom experiences, the author, a teacher and artist, offers a cheerful, engaging way for children to interact imaginatively with animals while learning about their diverse habitats. At the same time, I Had a Hippopotamus provides positive, authentic images of a contemporary Latino family.

About the Creators

Hector Viveros Lee

Hector Viveros Lee was born in Calexico, California. He attended the Academy of Art in San Francisco, where he lives and works as an elementary school teacher. His hobbies include photography, jogging, and travel.

Reviews

  • "A winning spin on the notion that 'tis better to give than to receive."

    - Publishers Weekly
  • "[A] bright picture book that celebrates the joy of sharing and the power of imagination."

    - Hispanic Magazine
  • "The brilliantly colored art crackles with outlandish fun while painting a vivid portrait of a small child's world."

    - Parenting Magazine

Paperback

  • ISBN 9781880000625
  • Price $11.95
  • Publication Date Oct 01, 1996
  • Trim Size 7.75 × 10 × 1 in
  • Weight 0.3125 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Word Count 152
  • Board Book

  • ISBN 9781880000960
  • Price $6.95
  • Publication Date Oct 01, 1996
  • Trim Size N/A
  • Weight 0.125 lbs
  • Word Count 119
  • Interests

  • Imprint Lee & Low Books
  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / Imagination & Play
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / Animals / Hippos & Rhinos
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / Hispanic & Latino
  • Themes African / African American / Black, Animals, Childhood Experiences and Memories, Colors, Cultural Diversity, Families, Fantasy, Fiction, Five Senses / Body Parts, Friendship, Imagination, Latinx / Latino / Hispanic, Sharing & Giving
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 4 - 7
  • Grade Range Grades PreK - 2
  • Guided Reading D
  • ATOS Book Level 1
  • DRA 4
  • Lexile Code AD
  • Lexile Level 240
  • Lexile Measurement AD240L
  • Reading Recovery Intervention 5
  • SRC 1.6
  • Bebop Reading Emergent
  • This Book is Included in These Collections:

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