Hello, Hippo! Goodbye, Bird!

by Kristyn Crow, Poly Bernatene (Illustrations)

A hilarious picture book about a grumpy hippo, a persistent bird, and a delightful friendship!
 
Bird wants to be Hippo’s friend!
Hippo wants to be left alone.
 
Bird makes a great hat for Hippo. He tells hilarious hippo jokes. He keeps the bugs away (can you say lunch!?).
Hippo wants Bird to GO AWAY.
 
But then the sky gets darker. And darker.
Thunder crashes all around.
Maybe Hippo could use a friend?

Genres: Picture Books, Birds, Animals, Humor, Friendship, Childrens, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 12, 2016

About the author

Kristyn Crow is the author of four children's picture books: COOL DADDY RAT (Putnam), BEDTIME AT THE SWAMP (HarperCollins, THE MIDDLE CHILD BLUES (Putnam, coming soon) and SKELETON CAT (Scholastic, coming soon). COOL DADDY RAT received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal. She is the mother of seven children, some with special needs, and Kristyn has written hundreds of blog articles on topics like autism, juvenile diabetes, and parenting. Some of these articles have been reprinted by national foundations. Kristyn loves to hear from parents, teachers, kids, and readers. Visit her website by clicking HERE, or visit her writing blog by clicking HERE.

Reviews

[Mariah Roze · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute, simple read about a Hippo that gets annoyed of a bird, but then in the end needs him.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a colorful blue bird lands on Hippo the bird says, “Hello, Hippo.” But grumpy Hippo says for the bird to go away. So the bird tries to convince Hippo that he needs a friend like him. He can be a hat, a hippotota-mustache, tell jokes and much more. But unfriendly Hippo wants nothing to do with the bird. He tries several ways, including to go underwater to get rid of the bird. Bird even saves Hippo from an attack of wasps, yet Hippo still is ungrateful and dismisses him. Will there ever come a time that Hippo needs a friend?

Cons: It bothered me that Hippo never took into consideration that the bird might have needed a friend or that the bird saved him from an attack of wasps. Not until Hippo was in need of a friend would he consider the bird to fill his need.

Pros: The illustrations are cute and the word count and type of words are very appropriate for the new reader. I'm sure if not over analyzed the story will be appreciated by many readers. It might even be appropriate to open a discussion regarding being a little too persistent in desiring a friendship and being insensitive to other people's needs.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a friendship that just didn't seem like it was going to happen. Think Sam from Green Eggs and Ham. Bird just doesn't take a hint that he's not wanted, and Hippo is just not in the market for company. Eventually though, you know that Hippo is going to see that friendship is not something you should turn away when it is offered. This is a nice book about making friends even when you're initially reluctant. Good for young readers.

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3* art
3* story

Lively and full of humour - I don't know if Squirt caught the joke. It was hard to tell. He was amused more about the hippo trying to get rid of the bird than anything else. Another book that's great for a much-needed laugh.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are absolutely darling in this book! Bird wants to be friends. Hippo just wants to be left alone. Bird tries to persuade Hippo that he'd make a great hat or umbrella or comedian but Hippo is not convinced...at first.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This could actually be a good tie-in when talking about symbiotic relationships in nature.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 2 year old loves this book and asks for it every day. His favorite part is the bees chasing the Hippo while he yells "Ack Patooey". My son thinks it's the most hilarious thing ever!

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title sentences “Hello, Hippo! Goodbye, Bird!” recur in the two characters’ interactions as Hippo tries to get Bird to leave him alone. The entire text is presented as dialog, with wisely-chosen fonts that represent each animal. The mixed media illustrations (in pencil and digital color) are lively and have great perspectives that really bring the animals to life. Hippo grudgingly accepts Bird in the end, although he will never admit that he wants Bird around. This entertaining tale with its colorful, expressive illustrations will appeal to a wide audience among children ages three to seven.

[Awjtf · Rating 5 out of 5]

funny!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

You have to admire Bird's persistence. He just wants to be Hippo's friend, and Hippo will have none of that. But even he has extolled his virtues and tried to amuse the grumpy animal, Hippo remains unmoved. In fact, he even tries to escape from the friendly creature. A storm frightens the hippo, and he wishes he had accepted the bird's friendship. Luckily for him, Bird is a most forgiving creature, and they end up hanging out together while Bird tells jokes. Mixed media illustrations relying on pencils and digital color keep the story interesting and bring these two very different animals together. It's hard not to smile at Bird's antics, jokes, and beautiful colors as well as Hippo's desperate attempts to get away from Bird and his offer of friendship. I don't know if I would ever have had the courage he does to keep coming back after being rejected so soundly. This might be a good read aloud for encouraging youngsters to be open to the friendships that are offered to them. It also will provide more than a hint of wry humor for those who enjoy word play--and who doesn't?

[Clare Rossetter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful book about friendship. Bird really annoys hippo while trying to be his friend. to all the birds gestures the hippo responds with grunts and other negative sounds. The illustrations are great fun-I really enjoyed them. Can't wait to use this book with my primary students. Of course, the hippo eventually needs the bird. Even then the hippo resists saying it out loud, he just accepts the birds being there and that the bird is important to him. The story ends with one of bird's silly jokes and in the background is the African Savannah and many of the animals who live there are depicted. The hippo is smiling as he plays in the water with bird on his head. The promise of good things to come is represented with a very colorful rainbow. This will be a great addition to any lower grade library.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the illustrations!! This story will make you giggle

[Ray · Rating 2 out of 5]

"It was ok." For most of the book, Bird is bothering Hippo by telling him how useful he is to Hippo. However, Hippo doesn't want anything to do with Bird. Eventually, Hippo is alone and realizes that he wants Bird around. I love the joke that Bird says at the end of the book. The art is nice and the book concept is interesting/unexpected. However, I don't really like how it portrays relationships with others. Sometimes, it's true that we do not want others around or others don't want us around, yet we might still need them, BUT this could also result in a not-so-great (potentially as far as being abusive) relationship. It's good for children to know this, but I guess it was too early for my child to be exposed to this.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bird want to be friends with a hippo but the hippo only wants to be rid of the bird. Can they be friends? Told mostly in dialogue and multiple pictures of page. Preschool for the picture explanations.

[Patrice Sartor · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bird is extremely persistent and quite eager to befriend a hippo, though the hippo just wants to be left alone...until a change of heart occurs. Cute illustrations and some funny word play, along with how annoying the bird can be, may entertain some kids.

[Vicki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as I had hoped, a bit confusing to me.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this one more than I actually did. Fun, colorful illustrations. Silliness I think young kids will laugh at.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third new picture book I've read in three weeks with the theme of one animal annoying the other animal until they realize they'd miss them. It's cute though.

[Cat Fithian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story of hippo annoyed by a bird who then comes to see his usefulness. Hippo never really admits that he likes bird, only that he needs him . . . kinda. I found the end a bit dissatisfying.

[Bmack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bird wants to be hippo's friend but hippo isn't too sure!

[Juliana Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hippo and Bird have an unusual but silly friendship, at least Bird wants to be friends. Hippo just wants Bird to go away. But during a storm, Hippo realizes he misses Bird and calls him back.

[Heather Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

megan spring reading 2016, children's book, picture book, hippo, bird, symbiotic relationship, friendship, prek, kindergarten, first grade

[Miss Allie]

Better for older kids than my toddlers.

[Lauri Meyers · Rating 3 out of 5]

A somewhat annoying bird perseveres in his quest to become hippo's friend.

[Kathy (Kindle-aholic) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bird wants to be hippo's companion. Hippo is not having it, until he realizes he misses bird.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is pretty weak. The dialogue and general storyline are both reminiscent of lots of other "odd couple" type stories, and it was just predictable and boring all the way through.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Colorful illustrations. Brief, yet humorous text.

[Rebecca Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story of codependent friendship between Bird and Hippo. The illustrations are great, and this would be a good book for a storytime about animals.

[Casandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book about how that annoying person in your life is actually someone you miss.
Animals
Friends
Hippos
Jungle

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting take on the relationship between hippo and bird. Parts of this look like they would be fun to read in storytime, others I don't know if I could pull off. Worth keeping in mind.