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MAMA: A True Story, in Which a Baby Hippo Loses His Mama During a Tsunami, But Finds a New Home, and a New Mama
Set during the devastating tsunami of 2004, MAMA is the touching true story of a baby hippo that was separated from his mother when the wave hit. After struggling alone for several days, the baby was rescued by Kenyan wildlife officers and brought to live in an animal refuge. There, all by himself, he adopted a new "mother"--that just happened to be a 130-year-old giant male tortoise. And they've been inseparable ever since.
Although MAMA takes place against the backdrop of a terrible human tragedy, at the heart of this story is a moving and original tale of adoption--and of finding love and companionship in the least likely of circumstances.
Includes an author's note.
Although MAMA takes place against the backdrop of a terrible human tragedy, at the heart of this story is a moving and original tale of adoption--and of finding love and companionship in the least likely of circumstances.
Includes an author's note.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
October 21, 2020
Heartbreaking but warm and beautiful. Wish this picture book had some more words than just 'Mama'!
October 22, 2018
This sweet, sad, and wonderful little book uses the repeating words "mama" and "baby" to tell the true story of Owen, an orphaned hippo, who was adopted by an elderly giant tortoise named Mzee.
In the simplest of ways, MAMA shows readers that animals--even those who may be unfamiliar or unusual, have many of the same feelings we do--and also that human beings have the power to help animals like Owen who are in trouble. An all-around great little book.
In the simplest of ways, MAMA shows readers that animals--even those who may be unfamiliar or unusual, have many of the same feelings we do--and also that human beings have the power to help animals like Owen who are in trouble. An all-around great little book.
August 25, 2020
Just cried when reading this book because it's sad, but so hopeful. The only word used is "mama."
March 5, 2018
How can a picture book, with just two words (Mama, Baby) invoke such heart-rending response? A sweet, sweet, book, yet sad, yet hopeful. My 4 year old initially thought it was funny (He likes to say "Mama," his favorite person in the whole world). But after the 4th reading, he finally "got it," burst into tears, and immediately demanded that the book never to be read again. He cried (in fear of what could happen to him and his Mama?) Probably my fault for putting emotion into the reading on each page. My 7 yo also thought the story was too sad and hugged me really tight. This book probably deserves a 5, but it may hit too close to home for kids..... so be cautious!
November 2, 2009
This is also a great non-fiction picture book. In fact the only words in the whole book are "Mama" and "Baby". A baby hippo loses his mama during a tsunami, but he is rescued and finds a new "mama", a tortoise. The illustrations are wonderful in telling the entire story without words. I highly recommend this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2008
i cried when i read this book at the library. a really heartfelt children's book depicting the true story of a baby hippo who is adopted by a turtle when he loses his mama. this makes me want to be a mother?!?!?
November 25, 2020
4.5 stars
The illustrations in this book are very
beautiful. Actually, they are so beautiful
and stylized that I wonder whether
they actually detract from the story of
the book which is actually based on a true
story.
The beginning of this book is very sad
and I actually found it somewhat painful
to read. However, it ended quite well.
As I mentioned before, this picture book
was actually based on a true story.
It is interesting, that based on a nature
documentary that I previously saw, animals
in zoos do sometimes form these strange
friendships within the confines of a zoo.
This is a picture book that children in general
would enjoy although I think that some
children would be bothered by the beginning
of the book.
The illustrations in this book are very
beautiful. Actually, they are so beautiful
and stylized that I wonder whether
they actually detract from the story of
the book which is actually based on a true
story.
The beginning of this book is very sad
and I actually found it somewhat painful
to read. However, it ended quite well.
As I mentioned before, this picture book
was actually based on a true story.
It is interesting, that based on a nature
documentary that I previously saw, animals
in zoos do sometimes form these strange
friendships within the confines of a zoo.
This is a picture book that children in general
would enjoy although I think that some
children would be bothered by the beginning
of the book.
November 15, 2018
I had no idea what we were getting into when my toddler handed me this to read at the library (T-T) sweet story but devastating especially if you have no clue what's coming. lovely illustrations. Even my kid was concerned when "mama!" changed to "mama?" but he was laughing as the story progressed.
May 8, 2019
Ini buku bergambar. Hanya ada dua kata di dalamnya : “mama” dan “baby”. Ceritanya tentang bayi kuda nil yang terpisah dari induknya saat terjadi tsunami. Dia mencari sang induk sampai menemukan “mama” baru.
Hebatnya Jeanette Winter berhasil menyusun cerita dalam 32 halaman saja namun berhasil mengaduk emosi. Singkat, padat, manis dan menyesakkan dada.
Hebatnya Jeanette Winter berhasil menyusun cerita dalam 32 halaman saja namun berhasil mengaduk emosi. Singkat, padat, manis dan menyesakkan dada.
November 6, 2017
This book is based on a true story of a hippo who got separated from his mother during a tsunami and ended up bonding with a giant tortoise. I loved the pictures in this book and the short, but powerful text.
December 20, 2018
I randomly picked this up from the children’s collection in the library where I work. I read it during my 15 minute break (it took 3 minutes haha) and wow it was so sweet. What a sweet little story. Exceptionally tragic, but the ending was just so hopefuls I love hippos 💖
November 6, 2019
Mama: A True Story is about a baby hippo that was swept away from his mother during the 2004 Indonesia tsunami. The story is easy to follow along to with simple yet pretty illustrations, and limited text. Only "mama" and "baby" are used. This book is suitable for beginning readers.
December 29, 2017
Attractive visuals relate the real-life journey of a baby hippo during the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean.
April 2, 2018
This is a book of few words, but with sweet illustrations...about a baby hippo who loses his mom in a tsunami. Great mentor text.
June 22, 2018
A sweet little picture book. I would recommend the audience to be 3-4 year olds.
August 1, 2018
Two words in the whole book and it made me cry.
May 1, 2019
Un album de peu de mots, mais terriblement touchant.
January 14, 2020
Sad and sweet. Same as life. It is actually a true story in which a baby hippo loses his mother after a tsunami struck in the Indian Ocean near Indonesia on 12/26/04.
December 21, 2024
Solid but you will sob
June 4, 2025
So sweet and unexpectedly sad 💔
October 1, 2013
The book Mama is about a little hippo who got separated from his mother, and family of hippos, during a storm. As this little hippo searched and searched for his mother, he eventually found a turtle and became attached to him.
This is a great story to introduce a non-fiction story to children because it is a true story. Allowing the children to know that this actually happened can be a great way to show them the difference between fiction and non-fiction. It is a very cute story, and although it can be sad, is sure to get the interest of students.
I really like how love is portrayed in this story. You can see that the baby hippo really loves his mother, and is devastated when they are separated. But you are also able to see that he finds a friend who he loves and that helps to show that you can find happiness even if you are out of your comfort zone, if you just keep on trying.
The illustrations in this story really allows the reader to follow the story without letting the reader be depressed or scared. The illustrations are comforting, even during the storm, which keeps the story from being too scary even though the hippo lost his mother.
This book would be best for kindergarten or first grade.
This is a great story to introduce a non-fiction story to children because it is a true story. Allowing the children to know that this actually happened can be a great way to show them the difference between fiction and non-fiction. It is a very cute story, and although it can be sad, is sure to get the interest of students.
I really like how love is portrayed in this story. You can see that the baby hippo really loves his mother, and is devastated when they are separated. But you are also able to see that he finds a friend who he loves and that helps to show that you can find happiness even if you are out of your comfort zone, if you just keep on trying.
The illustrations in this story really allows the reader to follow the story without letting the reader be depressed or scared. The illustrations are comforting, even during the storm, which keeps the story from being too scary even though the hippo lost his mother.
This book would be best for kindergarten or first grade.
December 19, 2010
Mama by Jeanette Winter is another sweet story, told basically through illustrations only, except for the words "mama and baby". On the last page of the book is a brief synopsis of what really occurred when a baby hippo became separated from his mother when the great waves hit following the tsunami. After struggling alone for several days, the baby hippo was rescued by Kenyan wildlife officers and brought to live in an animal refuge. There, the baby hippo adopted a new "mama", a 130-year-old giant male tortoise. And they've been inseparable ever since.
The author's illustrations demonstrate the fear and loneliness experienced by the hippo as he searched for his mama. Simplistic, yes, however, it is a very effective way to tell this story to young children.
The author's illustrations demonstrate the fear and loneliness experienced by the hippo as he searched for his mama. Simplistic, yes, however, it is a very effective way to tell this story to young children.
March 1, 2013
A tsunami hits a group of hippos in 2004, separating a young hippo from his mother. The hippo goes throughout the story trying to find her, and ends up getting rescued from his loneliness and sorrow. He soon becomes extremely attached to a very old male tortoise and refers to him as his new "mama". This true story introduces the touching stories of adoption to children and explains a tragedy in a light hearted way. A great heart-warming children's book!
October 9, 2015
Beautifully illustrated book by Jeanette Winter about the little hippo who lost his mother in the 2004 Tsunami but finds a new mama in Kenya in a tortoise. The story of Owen and Mzee. SInce there is only one word it would be great for the little ones and could involve participation to say the word mama.
August 24, 2012
I assume this about Owen and Mzee, I love reading about this unique pair and I'm familiar with Winter...looking forward to reading this book!
Update: This is the story of Owen, a young hippo, who lost his Mama but found a new Mama (or friend) in Mzee, an old tortoise. Illustrations are simple, yet detailed enough to tell this touching story.
Update: This is the story of Owen, a young hippo, who lost his Mama but found a new Mama (or friend) in Mzee, an old tortoise. Illustrations are simple, yet detailed enough to tell this touching story.
March 21, 2015
3 words different words of text, if you count mmm as a word, makes this book accessible for the youngest reader. Always love illustrations by Jeannette Winter, these help to simply tell the story of Owen, the baby hippo lost in the tsunami. Author note explains his rescue. Pair with the Owen and Mzee books by Craig Hatkoff.
August 20, 2015
There's only two words in the whole book, "MAMA & Baby". But there was more message to it. Pictures do speak a thousand words. Heartwrenching and heartwarming in a same book. I especially love the page where baby hippo and mama tortoise hugged together and with mama hippo's picture as the constellation in the starry starry night. It is just so beautiful.
December 2, 2011
A favorite for both our adopted daughter and foster children (ages 3-5), all of whom can read it to themselves and use the words and scenarios in their own play and to process their sadness about missing their families.
July 15, 2012
Great picture book about nature, tsunamis, and friendship. Pair with Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship for the non-fiction account of this story with photos of the hippo and turtle.
June 8, 2009
This beautiful, heart wrenching book, uses only two words to tell a wonderful story. I love this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews