Duck and Hippo Give Thanks

Duck and Hippo #3

by Jonathan London, Andrew Joyner (Illustrations)

Duck and Hippo are thankful for good friends! It’s the day before Thanksgiving, and Hippo has his heart set on having a good old-fashioned feast with Duck and their friends. Together, Duck and Hippo go shopping for food and invite Turtle, Elephant, and Pig to share the special day with them. Then they get everything ready. But while Hippo goes to bed dreaming of his good old-fashioned Thanksgiving, Duck is busy making her own plans. There’s going to be a BIG surprise―one that will remind Hippo of all he has to be thankful for. Join Duck and Hippo for a memorable celebration!

Genres: Thanksgiving, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Fiction, Friendship, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Jonathan London is the author of several celebrated children's books. His commitment to honoring the wonders of the natural world has been lauded by readers and critics alike. He is the author of more than 70 children's books, many of which are about nature. He's also the author of the popular Froggy series. He lives in Graton, California with his wife and two sons.

Reviews

[Chinook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is the reason Kaitlin keeps talking about The Feast rather than calling it Thanksgiving, which has been incredibly cute. We’ve been reading it off and on since Canadian Thanksgiving. It’s a sweet story about valuing friendship over tradition, something that I both agree with but somewhat chafe against, since trying to have a traditional thanksgiving has meant a lot to me in the past twenty years of thanksgivings overseas.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much to give thanks for in this rambling and repetitive story of a “good, old-fashioned Thanksgiving” gone awry. Even Joyner’s adorable artwork, which warrants the second star, can’t redeem this dud.

[K.L. Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giving thanks for good food and friendship is always a good idea even if your thoughts of good food differ just a little bit from your friend’s idea of good food.

Hippo and Duck are great friends. Hippo is very disciplined, and Duck is very care-free. They are both very respectful of each other. They decide to celebrate Thanksgiving together and when they go shopping for the big day they run into Elephant, Turtle and Duck. They invited them to share Thanksgiving Day too. Hippo could hardly wait for a good old-fashioned Thanksgiving meal. On the day he baked apple and pumpkin pie and prepared acorn squash. It was getting late, his friends had not yet arrived. Do you think they forgot, or do you think they will arrive with a big surprise?

Author Jonathan London has shared a great story of friendship and sharing. Young readers will find delightful and lively illustrations along with basic sentence structure that will help beginner readers sound out words and read this story with ease. Parents, teachers and caregivers can use this as a read-a-loud tool to discuss the Thanksgiving holiday and what types of foods are their favorites.

[Jennifer J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about what is actually important on thanksgiving instead of expectations about thanksgiving.

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is Duck And Hippo Give Thanks, written by Jonathan London and illustrated by Andrew Joyner, a festive third installment of the series.

As he rakes the leaves in his yard into a tidy pile, Hippo dreams of a “good, old-fashioned”, Thanksgiving dinner. His musings are interrupted by the arrival of his friend Duck, entering by way of a leaf-pile cannonball – mussing up Hippo’s work. Though irked, Hippo quickly forgives his exuberant friend. They decide to spend the holiday together and invite all their friends to join. They then spend the day together, joyfully gathering supplies, inviting their pals, and preparing for the feast. The next evening, Hippo has set a table with a delicious, traditional Thanksgiving spread, when Duck and the other guests arrive with a surprise: lovingly homemade – but decidedly NON-traditional – dishes. Elephant is flummoxed; this is not the old-fashioned Thanksgiving he had pictured. But seeing that his friends’ hard work and well meaning, and happy to simply be spending time with them, he shakes off his rigidness. After all, traditions are only as good as the company we share them with.

Very sweet. As with Duck and Hippo’s previous stories, the plot is gentle and light. Yet this one subtly conveys a deeper meaning that I loved: don’t be too quick to dismiss what someone brings to the table simply because it’s different or new – a lesson as true of food as it is of life. This is served especially well alongside Joyner’s art, which has a vaguely nostalgic style, inspired by classic storybooks yet updated for a modern audience. The length was great, and JJ loved it too. A festive and quietly wise lesson in togetherness, and acceptance of others’ differences – sentiments perfect for reflection during a season of giving thanks. Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by a representative of the author in exchange for an honest review.)

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I adore the Duck and Hippo series/duo.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

We chose this book to add to our collection of Thanksgiving day books to read this year based on the fun illustration on the cover by Andrew Joyner. In "Duck and Hippo Give Thanks" by Jonathan London is about the day before Thanksgiving. Hippo had his heart set on the perfect old-fashioned thanksgiving feast with Duck and the rest of their friends. As Duck and Hippo go shopping and invite their friends. As Hippo dreams of the perfect Thanksgiving feast, Duck has other ideas by making a big surprise for Hippo. This is book #3 in the Duck and Hippo Series.



This book has so many good lessons for kids to learn and perhaps some adults as well. Hippo had to learn that sometimes things just won't go the way you want them to go. Sometimes it happens to turn out better then your imagine. My kids really enjoyed this story and wanted us to read it several times (for them that means they loved it). The illustrations in this book are amazing and yet simple. It was fun to see all of Duck undoing and not helping Hippo. I really enjoyed the little lessons it had about how things don't have to go your way and also about being thankful for friends. It's a great book to add to thanksgiving.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duck and Hippo make me smile. They are a bit of an odd couple. Duck is a free spirit and Hippo is a bit more stolid and set in his ways. It is November; friend Hippo is busy raking leaves and dreaming about a "good old-fashioned" Thanksgiving. Duck prefers jumping in the piles of leaves but is excited about a feast. They go shopping and encounter Elephant, Turtle, and Pig who are also invited to the celebration. Duck encourages each one to make something special for the feast. Hippo is busy making apple pie and pumpkin pie and baked squash. He and Duck decorate and then Hippo waits. And waits for his guests to arrive. When they do he is initially a bit dismayed when egg rolls, sushi, pizza, and peanut butter tacos appear as contributions -- definitely not traditional feast fare in Hippo's mind. But he quickly realizes that everyone has something valuable to contribute. As a side note - this is pretty much a vegetarian Thanksgiving which is probably a rare thing in picture books. No turkeys or hams on this table! Thank goodness! What would duck and pig have thought about such a thing? The point is not belabored but it is there. 

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed all the Duck and Hippo books. And this book was no different. Despite their differences or perhaps because of them, Duck and Hippo get along well. Not perfectly of course, no friends get along perfectly all the time. In this case, Duck and Hippo have different visions for what the perfect Thanksgiving dinner should look like. One thing they do agree on though is that they want lots of friends there. So while Hippo dreams of his nice, old-fashioned Thanksgiving dinner, Duck makes plans to surprise her friend. But will the surprise make things better? or ruin Hippo's dream? Read and find out. I am delighted to add this book to my collection of shareable Thanksgiving stories. Thanksgiving doesn't usually get as many picture books about it as does Christmas or Halloween, so I'm glad to have this one. A delightful story of friendship and gratitude that inspires a smile.

[Chance Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I am so thankful for this thanksgiving story. Hippo is traditional and wants a traditional Thanksgiving with all his friends. As he and his BFF, Duck, go through the day, they invite all their friends to Thanksgiving (and Hippo gets his big hippo rear temporarily stuck in a grocery cart). Hippo makes all the traditional stuff -- pie, squash, peas (no turkey for these animals!) -- but his friends end up bringing exotic dishes -- sea cucumber sushi, pizza napoletana, pb & j tacos! Hippo is upset at first, but he gets over it and everyone has a wonderful dinner together. "Thank you for being who you are!" Hippo tells them and they enjoy a wonderful feast. I love how Hippo and his friends have a dinner, but they don't call it "friendsgiving" or similar, as if it's "other" than Thanksgiving, but they call it a "traditional Thanksgiving," a gathering of people who love one another to feast and be thankful, which, to me, is what the modern holiday is all about.

[A Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Every year I struggle to find Thanksgiving books I enjoy reading to my students. This one is just okay and I would easily exclude it from my lesson plans if I had more Thanksgiving books I liked. As it stands, I will read this one for now and keep hoping for better options to be published. In this story Hippo works hard to have a "good, old-fashioned Thanksgiving" and in the end his friends surprise him with Chinese egg rolls, sea-cucumber sushi, pizza napoletana, and peanut-butter-and-jelly tacos. Ultimately, Hippo learns to loosen up a little bit! This book certainly focuses a lot on food and hardly touches on the spirit of Thanksgiving. Hippo goes to the store, invites friends, cooks, and decorates all while reminding us that he is planning a good, old fashioned Thanksgiving. The giving thanks part is one line in the entire book.

[Aeicha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hippo dreams of a good old-fashioned Thanksgiving with all of his friends, so he and Duck set out to gather their supplies and invite their friends. As Hippo gets everything ready for Thanksgiving dinner, Duck and their friends are concocting an unforgettable surprise just for Hippo?

Duck and Hippo return for another sweet and memorable tale, this one full of joyous celebration as the charming duo celebrate Thanksgiving. London’s charming and easy to follow story takes little readers on an engaging and charming Thanksgiving journey, from the market to decorating the table, cooking the food, and celebrating with the people you care about. Joyner’s lively illustrations, full of bold Fall scenes and colors, expressive and adorable animal characters, and silly moments, warmly bring the story to life.

At the heart of Duck and Hippo Give Thanks is a beautiful and timely message about thankfulness, friendship, and embracing our differences.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely book! Duck and Hippo invite their friends to come for Thanksgiving and tell each of them to bring a dish. They all bring dishes that were not traditional to Hippo. He is at first disappointed that it didn't look like his traditional Thanksgiving meal, but then sees that all of his friends brought joy and cheer with them in sharing their dishes. He decided it didn't matter that the food was different than he'd expected. The joy of being with friends was the real prize.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Duck is playing in leaves while Hippo is trying to prepare for a traditional Thanksgiving.

They invite lots of friends.

Hippo cooks traditional things (but no turkey!).

Hippo is anxious because everyone is late (how rude) and a bit upset because everyone brings non-traditional foods.

But friendship wins the day and they have a Thanksgiving of mixed traditional and non-traditional foods.

[Mama Bearian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hippo and Duck plan a “good, old-fashioned” Thanksgiving feast and invite all of their friends. I’m the end, it doesn’t turn out 100% old-fashioned, but Hippo shows that it’s better to value friendship over tradition.

I loved the bright and colorful illustrations that are almost cartoon-like. The story itself is a little bit rambling, but kids like these “everyday life” type stories. No, it isn’t super exciting, but it’s needed.

[Vina Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duck and Hippo Rides Again!

I just read this book to my two year old. He really likes it! His fave is the "Walking in the Rain" book. We get to imitate the sounds. This one not so much. It was still very enjoyable because we love the friendship of Duck and Hippo. The new friends are super awesome too!

[Ashley Bartholomew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is age appropriate for kindergarten or first graders. This book is about Hippo wanting a traditional Thanksgiving but then his friends bring over all types of food. At first, he was upset but then he thanked his friends for being who they are. I could use this in my classroom before doing a Thanksgiving art project.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hippo had his heart set on a good old-fashioned Thanksgiving dinner and Duck wanted to help. They went shopping and invited each friend whom they met along the way. The day came and Hippo waited and waited. When his friends finally arrived they brought foods that weren't old-fashioned Thanksgiving foods at all! Delightful illustrations.

[E & E’s Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hippo wants a “good, old-fashioned Thanksgiving” and gets the meal ready, but when his friends arrive with very untraditional foods like tacos, pizza, and sushi, he has to choose if he’ll be grateful for their contribution or get mad that his perfect Thanksgiving looks different than he dreamed. Kinda long so it’s best for preschool to kinder

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cute story jaunts all the way toward the BIG SURPRISE promised by one of the characters.

If you have ever wandered through the food court of a big mall, especially when hungry, you will have some appreciation for the happy ending to this tale.

FIVE STARS, especially if (like this Goodreader) you love to jump on big-and-squooshy piles of autumn leaves.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hippo plans a traditional Thanksgiving and invites all his friends. They all contribute a non-traditional Thanksgiving food (like pizza and sushi) but Hippo is happy they're there so he lets it go.
A nice Thanksgiving message for bedtime reading but a bit too long for my storytime groups.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally a great Thanksgiving story to share with preschoolers and kindergartners!

Jonathan London is spot on with all things Thanksgiving and on being thankful.

Colorful and cute illustrations.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not anything amazing but it is a cute little story about how it's still Thanksgiving whether or not you celebrate it traditionally. Though I think Duck could use some cooking lessons. The illustrations were cute as well.

[Thomas Bell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seems to mostly be a book about controlling bad emotions when they start to creep in, and it seems to teach kids to ignore bad feelings rather than deal with them. And there's no actual content in the book whatsoever.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the illustrations! My boys loved it but were easily distracted in the middle as there was to much going on. Perfect for a Thanksgiving read with your little ones!!!

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute concept - but the story gets a bit bogged down in the middle as it meanders from place to place to place. I really like the overall lesson, though!
And the illustrations are great!

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Duck and Hippo Thanksgiving story. Nice.

[Mary Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book about Thanksgiving (Thanksgiving doesn't have to be traditional), with lots of THANKS thrown in throughout the story.

[DaNae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I sure did like hanging with this group of friends.

[K-BRC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful holiday family or classroom read to talk about Thanksgiving traditions & encourage acceptance of differences.