Here is the classic Boynton counting story in a sturdy, board book version.
Perfect for travel time, bedtime, or "PARTY TIME " read full description
reviews
Oct 23, 2010
Shanna
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Question: Why count up a rapidly-amassing horde of hippos?
Answer: Why not?
In the simply hilarious Hippos Go Berserk, "One hippo, all alone/ Calls two hippos on the phone." Those hippos come over to the lonely hippo's delight, and then three more appear, then four, until the party has increased to forty-five. The hippos fill the house all night, then in the morning nine of them leave, then eight, and so on, leaving the first hippo alone once more, "Miss[ing] the More...
Answer: Why not?
In the simply hilarious Hippos Go Berserk, "One hippo, all alone/ Calls two hippos on the phone." Those hippos come over to the lonely hippo's delight, and then three more appear, then four, until the party has increased to forty-five. The hippos fill the house all night, then in the morning nine of them leave, then eight, and so on, leaving the first hippo alone once more, "Miss[ing] the More...
Mar 09, 2011
Adrian
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3/9/2011:
This was the first counting book you seemed to really enjoy. You would ask for it well before you could talk by getting from the shelves and bringing it to me to read to you. It was also one of the first places you could point to a picture and correctly identify the item in it as a car. (You do that quite a bit in many, many books these days.)
The day that you and I flew from Texas to Michigan, when we moved here, this was one of the books that I brought with us on th More...
This was the first counting book you seemed to really enjoy. You would ask for it well before you could talk by getting from the shelves and bringing it to me to read to you. It was also one of the first places you could point to a picture and correctly identify the item in it as a car. (You do that quite a bit in many, many books these days.)
The day that you and I flew from Texas to Michigan, when we moved here, this was one of the books that I brought with us on th More...
Sep 03, 2007
Melissa
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Moral of the story: do not invite hippos to your party because they will fuck shit up, yo. Definitely my favorite Boynton board book (although Oh My, Oh My, Oh Dinosaur is a close second). A perennial shower gift favorite (pair with the Owen and Mzee board book for a delightful hippo-themed set.)
May 26, 2009
Mary Helene
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(cousin) Carla recommends this one. I watched Nicco read it to Asa (on video Skype) yesterday; Asa (5 months) was obviously captivated by the rhythmic language. Of course, the story line is there for the amusement of the adult reading. An infant can pick up on this interest, but I think Asa loved the words. Then I watched Nicco read him The Hungry Caterpillar, which I prefer for its storyline (beginning, middle, end - not absurd or episodic) but Asa was not as interested. Surely Nicco was, but t
More...
Oct 01, 2008
Melissa
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Hippos Go Berserk, by Sandra Boynton, is the classic tale of a lonely hippopotamus who calls up two friends and finds herself at the center of a snowball of a party of 45.
Young readers will enjoy the mayhem at the center of the party, goo at the gorgeous illustrations, and revel in their own ability to turn the pages of the book really, really fast. Adult readers are left to ponder such deeper meaning as the symmetrical nature of the guests’ comings and goings - can it be a coinci More...
Young readers will enjoy the mayhem at the center of the party, goo at the gorgeous illustrations, and revel in their own ability to turn the pages of the book really, really fast. Adult readers are left to ponder such deeper meaning as the symmetrical nature of the guests’ comings and goings - can it be a coinci More...
Aug 12, 2009
Kirsti
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My son & I love this book -- the bright pictures and the rhyming cadence appeal to us both. The emotional appeal is also very strong -- the wild adventure of experiencing vicariously such a "berserk" party, and the ending's ultimately tragic commentary on one lone hippo's psychological need for social validation, add to the nutty realism of this otherwise fantastical (hippos in formal wear? Yeah, right!)tale.
Feb 26, 2010
Jamie
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I love anything Boynton, and this one is my new favorite. For being only a few pages long, this little book really has a lot going for it: the delectable rhyming, clever illustrations, and of course, the usage of the word "berserk," which I personally feel should be used more often in everyday life. ;) The fact of the matter is, my little girl loves these books, but I really get them for myself.
Aug 19, 2011
Michelle
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My son and I have so much fun reading this book. It's a great way to learn counting (forward and backward) and it's so cute. I love the Sandra Boynton books. Such good rhythm and rhyming! My son won't let me read this just once or twice at a sitting, and it's one of the few I'm OK with reading it over and over (and over and over)...
May 26, 2011
Michelle
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If you're being selective with your Sandra Boynton library, I'd skip this one as I don't think it's one of her best.
It does have the signature rhythm of her other books but it incorporates words and concepts beyond a young child's reach. As a result, they are not as engaged with this book as with some of the others.
It does have the signature rhythm of her other books but it incorporates words and concepts beyond a young child's reach. As a result, they are not as engaged with this book as with some of the others.
Jun 23, 2011
Emerson
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I like hippos a lot. This book is fun to read - the hippos show up in groups, have a big party, and then leave. It's good for counting (up and down). Plus the hippo party in the middle is fun to hear about. My mom likes reading this book a lot more than One Hippo Hops, but I like to read them back to back.
Aug 13, 2010
The
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1 hippo all alone with call 2 hippos on the phone. However, many more hippos will arrive in groups of consecutive numbers and always in manner that rhymes. When 1 hippo is alone once more, he will indeed miss the other 44.
I have read this book approximately 7,000 times in the last 3 days.
I have read this book approximately 7,000 times in the last 3 days.
Dec 31, 2011
Melody
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I love Boynton's books, and I was happy to find this one the other day in a used bookstore. I don't think I've ever seen it, and I have no idea how I managed to miss it while collecting them all to read to my son. Adorable counting book featuring 45 hippos and one monster.
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Apr 02, 2011
Danny
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Daddy bought this one as sort of a house-warming present, and it's been a favorite since it first appeared. This is where Tommy learned his numbers, and Danny used it for counting backwards from 10.
4/2/11 Part of afternoon reading time on the sofa with Dad.
4/2/11 Part of afternoon reading time on the sofa with Dad.
Feb 11, 2011
Krystal
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This is probably my favorite Boynton book. Some of her books, I think are annoying, or just plain dumb, but this one is great. It's a counting book with a twist and a story to go along with it, and I like that a lot. The kids like it too, and ask for it all the time.
Feb 06, 2009
Kelly Jo
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This is an obscure, but awesome Boynton book about a lonely hippo who reaches out to friends and has a bash. The concept of addition and number games is introduced and makes the whole story that much more fun.
Nov 14, 2009
Kenneth
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I read this a million times to my niece and then to my nephew. It was my nephew's favorite for quite some time and for a while I could recited it word for word "One hippo, all alone calls two hippos, on the phone..."
Jan 09, 2009
Skedatt
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A really fun counting book. First you count to ten, and then you count backwards, with 44 hippos and one beast. Plus, its Sandra Boynton. Doesn't that about sum it up?
Jan 12, 2011
Kimberly
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This book is another favorite at our house!!! The rhyming is perfect and always holds my daughter's attention. She even cracks up laughing at the end each and every time.
Jun 23, 2009
Rita
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A counting book. Hippos arrive at the party, counting up to 10, and then they leave, counting back down to 1. It's a nice rhyme for teaching / reinforcing counting skills.
Jan 23, 2012
Matt
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Of all of the books purchased for my son this is by far my favorite to read to him. The pictures are funny, the hippos are cute, and the writing is hip.
Jul 02, 2011
Kristin
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love love love sandra boynton. She rarely misses in her books. They're enjoyable to read over and over for the parent and te kids love evrything about them too.
Sep 24, 2009
Cindy
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By far my favorite of all the Boynton books for kids - and not only because it teaches toddlers the word 'berserk' - it has hippos, and what kid doesn't love them?
Oct 29, 2009
Kimberly
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MY favorite book to read at bedtime. I love this one so much. Jonah hasn't sat through the whole thing yet, but I have faith he'll catch the vision soon.
Jul 01, 2009
Rachel
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A lonely hippo invites some friends to a party, which end up 44 other hippos. Very cute and love the illustrations. It is a forwards and backwards counting book. Recommended for ages 0-3.
Apr 01, 2009
Anne
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A funny book that appeals to very young children (less than 1yr old). Funny pictures, funny words. The size is also perfect for their little hands.
Mar 29, 2011
Tommy
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Rich bought this one for the boys, and we all love it. A very entertaining approach to counting. This is where Tommy learned his numbers.
Jun 07, 2009
Charlotte
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Library board book - Sandra Boynton, is there anything you can't do? We like hippos, counting, and cake. All of those things are in this book.
Mar 02, 2011
Nadia
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Cute book, and it rhymes well. It makes counting very fun and adds a cute story about hippos who add up and go berserk. Highly recommend!
Jan 03, 2009
Karen
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I absolutely love this book! It's probably better for kids 18 months and up, as it includes some numbers. Such a fun read!
