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The Secret Rhino Society
“This engaging romp will be a great way to initiate conversations about diversity, tolerance, and acceptance.”—Booklist (starred review)
In the spirit of favorites like Stick & Stone and Spoon this warmhearted and hilarious picture book tells the story of a highly unusual group of friends and is stunningly illustrated by Samantha Cotterill.
Meet Hudson, a hippo. Fran, an earthworm. And Jean, a lightbulb.
They have one thing in common: a profound appreciation for rhinos. So, they form a Secret Rhino Appreciation Society, in which a key activity it wearing paper horns. (Sometimes this results in a fire. That’s what happens when a lightbulb wears a paper horn.) But when they meet their first real, live rhino and ask her to do rhino-y things, she doesn’t want to charge or snort—she’s a gardener! She is not what the society expected, but can they learn to appreciate her for who she is?
This funny, character-driven story explores themes of friendship, expectations, and prejudice.
In the spirit of favorites like Stick & Stone and Spoon this warmhearted and hilarious picture book tells the story of a highly unusual group of friends and is stunningly illustrated by Samantha Cotterill.
Meet Hudson, a hippo. Fran, an earthworm. And Jean, a lightbulb.
They have one thing in common: a profound appreciation for rhinos. So, they form a Secret Rhino Appreciation Society, in which a key activity it wearing paper horns. (Sometimes this results in a fire. That’s what happens when a lightbulb wears a paper horn.) But when they meet their first real, live rhino and ask her to do rhino-y things, she doesn’t want to charge or snort—she’s a gardener! She is not what the society expected, but can they learn to appreciate her for who she is?
This funny, character-driven story explores themes of friendship, expectations, and prejudice.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published June 2, 2020
1 person is currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan E. Jacobs
1 book5 followersJonathan E. Jacobs wears many hats, but first and foremost, he is a storyteller. Whether writing children’s books, making theater, or creating music-inspired spectacles, he’s always telling stories. An avid record collector, Jonathan finds some of his greatest inspiration while listening to a forgotten track from his vinyl vault. He lives with his family in Brooklyn, teaches, and spins original vinyl as his alter ego, The Vintage DJ.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 12, 2024
I really read this for the adorable hand drawn, cut out art.
August 29, 2021
Read for my 365 Kids Book challenge. You can see all the books on their own shelf.
This is odd, but charming. Hudson, a hippo, Fran, an earthworm, and Jean, a lightbulb all come together to admire rhinos. Their friendship is strong, and all goes well until they meet an actual rhino.
The first picture book, I think, in which a character is specifically not gendered and third person singular pronouns are used. Jean is non-binary, which makes perfect sense.
As charming as the book is, I can't tell how much success to afford the illustrator. Cotterill's illustrations are fresh and crisp and captivating. Truly, I cannot separate my admiration for the text from my admiration for the pictures. I hope this does very well because I can't wait to see what else Jacobs comes up with; Cotterill has quite a few books so I know I'm going to be checking those out soon.
Library copy
This is odd, but charming. Hudson, a hippo, Fran, an earthworm, and Jean, a lightbulb all come together to admire rhinos. Their friendship is strong, and all goes well until they meet an actual rhino.
The first picture book, I think, in which a character is specifically not gendered and third person singular pronouns are used. Jean is non-binary, which makes perfect sense.
As charming as the book is, I can't tell how much success to afford the illustrator. Cotterill's illustrations are fresh and crisp and captivating. Truly, I cannot separate my admiration for the text from my admiration for the pictures. I hope this does very well because I can't wait to see what else Jacobs comes up with; Cotterill has quite a few books so I know I'm going to be checking those out soon.
Library copy
June 25, 2020
Three friends Hudson, Fran and Jean form a secret Rhino Society, because of their like interests in wanting to be a rhinoceros. But when they finally meet a rhinoceros things are what they imagined it would be.
August 21, 2020
Three friends, a hippo, a worm and a lightbulb, form a secret society to be like their favorite animal - the rhino. To their surprise, an actual rhino comes to their clubhouse door and joins them. They realize what they really like is making sandwiches so change course and open a sandwich shop with their new friend.
Well drawn illustrations and a fun story.
Well drawn illustrations and a fun story.
June 28, 2021
Although I loved the art, I didn't get into the story at all. Three unlikely friends, OK, I follow. A surprise visitor who shakes the friends' expectations, OK, I follow. It's the turn of events when everything fell apart. Suddenly, they change their entire plan and then there are a bunch more characters that were never in the story before. Can't figure out the point of this story or how the end has anything to do with the desires and/or growth of the characters. It's too random.
December 8, 2020
A hippo, an earthworm, and a lightbulb love rhinos. They form a club to celebrate rhinos. Then, one day, a real rhinoceros arrives at their door.
Imaginative story with a quiet message that not all creatures fit the stereotypes we have of them as well as the inspiration to look at what you are best at and enjoy to occupy your time. Plus incredible illustrations like no others.
Imaginative story with a quiet message that not all creatures fit the stereotypes we have of them as well as the inspiration to look at what you are best at and enjoy to occupy your time. Plus incredible illustrations like no others.
August 21, 2020
The story starts off strong, three friends--a hippo, worm, and lightbulb--share a mutual admiration for rhinos and decide to form a secret society. They build a clubhouse, wear paper horns, and hold meetings. There are nice touches of humor, the weight of a paper horn for the worm, the fact that the horn is paper on a hot lightbulb.
During what can be assumed to be one of their first meetings, they open the door to an insistent knock. Before them stands an actual rhinoceros, delivering the plants for the garden the worm prepared for their clubhouse. This rhino is not like the one portrayed in films--not at all. After that awkward realization/exchange, they agree to invite her in for sandwiches (and a foot bath).
Cue palpable shift.
The rhino thinks their sandwiches are so good they should open a sandwich shop. So now the trio + one rhino, plan and build and sandwich shop which they open the next week. "And everyone came"--as if we'd seen "everyone" before... In most narratives that use "and everyone came," those one's had been earlier identified in some way, and most of the tension in the story is whether they would come or not.
The exclusiveness of "secret" is implied, but it seems the trio had only thought to not include anyone because wearing paper horns might earn them ridicule. And their interest in being more like a rhino (instead of sticking to their own brilliant attributes as demonstrated) does seem to be ridiculous. Also media portrayals are limiting. The rhino shows up to debunk myths and encourage them to pursue a healthier, inclusive, community building option. Their society and world is expanded, ending with a garden scene of a collection of animals around a table enjoying food.
That last paragraph you just read: I worked for that. That is what a reader will have to contribute to the story, which I believe could have done had the text been given a bit more work/editing. Did they opt for less text (which seems the popular route)?
The illustrations: on point. Charming and interesting. I like the dimensional aspect and what that contributes to the (potential) narrative. It's worth flipping turning the pages of the book, just to admire the sets.
During what can be assumed to be one of their first meetings, they open the door to an insistent knock. Before them stands an actual rhinoceros, delivering the plants for the garden the worm prepared for their clubhouse. This rhino is not like the one portrayed in films--not at all. After that awkward realization/exchange, they agree to invite her in for sandwiches (and a foot bath).
Cue palpable shift.
The rhino thinks their sandwiches are so good they should open a sandwich shop. So now the trio + one rhino, plan and build and sandwich shop which they open the next week. "And everyone came"--as if we'd seen "everyone" before... In most narratives that use "and everyone came," those one's had been earlier identified in some way, and most of the tension in the story is whether they would come or not.
The exclusiveness of "secret" is implied, but it seems the trio had only thought to not include anyone because wearing paper horns might earn them ridicule. And their interest in being more like a rhino (instead of sticking to their own brilliant attributes as demonstrated) does seem to be ridiculous. Also media portrayals are limiting. The rhino shows up to debunk myths and encourage them to pursue a healthier, inclusive, community building option. Their society and world is expanded, ending with a garden scene of a collection of animals around a table enjoying food.
That last paragraph you just read: I worked for that. That is what a reader will have to contribute to the story, which I believe could have done had the text been given a bit more work/editing. Did they opt for less text (which seems the popular route)?
The illustrations: on point. Charming and interesting. I like the dimensional aspect and what that contributes to the (potential) narrative. It's worth flipping turning the pages of the book, just to admire the sets.
December 6, 2020
What could a hippo, earthworm, and a lightbulb all have in common--they each want to be a rhinoceros of course! In this story Hudson (the hippo), Fran (the earthworm), and Jean (the lightbulb) all form a secret society to discuss everything amazing about a rhinoceros. They build a clubhouse at the top of a tree and list the special features of a rhinoceros-- they are fast, they are intimidating, and they have such powerful horns. (At this point we see that they are getting all this information about rhinoceros from a movie they have seen.) One day, they are up in the clubhouse discussing all things rhinoceros when they receive a knock on the door. They are afraid it is someone wanting to join their club, so they do not answer the door and state that they were not accepting new members. The knocking continues, so Hudson goes to answer the door--and what should be on the other side, but nothing other than a rhinoceros. Hudson, Fran, and Jean are all a little confused. This rhinoceros does not look mean or intimidating, but rather kind. Her name is Ivy and she is a gardener who works delivering plants and flowers. They invite Ivy to join them for lunch and she is so impressed with the wonderful sandwiches they prepared that she suggests they all work together to open a sandwich shop--and they invite everyone in the neighborhood.
The artwork that accompanies this story is created by the award-winning illustrator Samantha Cotterill. She has a very unique approach in that she creates miniature sets of each scene, so everything has a three-dimensional appearance. The pictures almost resemble a little cardboard dollhouse with furniture, food items, cars, etc.
This book is perfect for children between the ages of four and eight years old. This is a great story to begin discussions on inclusion, stereotypes, and diversity.
The artwork that accompanies this story is created by the award-winning illustrator Samantha Cotterill. She has a very unique approach in that she creates miniature sets of each scene, so everything has a three-dimensional appearance. The pictures almost resemble a little cardboard dollhouse with furniture, food items, cars, etc.
This book is perfect for children between the ages of four and eight years old. This is a great story to begin discussions on inclusion, stereotypes, and diversity.
December 28, 2020
Fran, Hudson and Jean are friends who love rhinos. Each loves them for a different reason, which they share during meetings at their clubhouse. Fran is a worm, Hudson is a hippo, and Jean is a lightbulb, but their differences do not matter a bit. One day an actual rhino knocks on the door of the clubhouse to deliver some flowers. The friends invite her in for sandwiches, and then the next week they all open a sandwich shop together. The illustrations for this book will invite the most interest – they are photographs of hand-built three-dimensional sets with hand drawn and digitally colored pieces, producing a lively and eclectic feel. The endpapers, a repeating pattern of golden rhinos, are especially lovely. Youngsters who have a favorite animal will definitely relate to the Secret Rhino Society!
January 10, 2021
The story here is a cute idea, but it misses the point (terrible pun fully intended). As soon as the trio of friends' reasons for wanting to be a rhinoceros are stated, there is a major problem. The hippo likes how fast rhinos can charge. But in fact, hippos themselves can charge quite quickly (though not, to be fair, as quickly as rhinos). But if I know this fact from reading loads of animal books for kids, I think it's a sure bet that some kids are going to know it, too... and keep thinking of it as they read the book like me. But that wasn't all, because the secret club they form is just... odd. Why is it a secret? Why are they not wearing their paper horns in public? I didn't get it.
That said, I really enjoyed the illustrations and style of them.
That said, I really enjoyed the illustrations and style of them.
November 5, 2022
Fran (a worm), Hudson (a hippo) and Jean (a lightbulb) all share a common goal. They all want to be a rhinoceros. So they form a secret society and built themselves a clubhouse. When the clubhouse was finished, they made themselves paper horns and held meetings, Fran taking notes. One day, there is a knock at the door and to their surprise, there is a rhino at the door … not looking at all like they expected a rhino to look. The rhinoceros opens their eyes to some other things, too.
Interesting style of illustration.
Interesting style of illustration.
August 24, 2020
A secret society enamored with rhinos is started by a hippo, worm, and light bulb. While building friendship and community through a common interest makes for good storytelling, the pivot to creating a sandwich shop after meeting a real rhino leaves a missed opportunity--particularly on self-acceptance. Illustrator Samantha Cotterill's three-dimensional illustrations are a refreshing technique. A folded and gathered (F&G) pre-publication edition was reviewed.
December 1, 2020
Weird! But cheerfully so. A hippopotamus, a worm, and a lightbulb form a rhino appreciation society, but find that their expectations of rhinos are very different from the truth. They learn this after meeting an actual rhino, who gardens and makes deliveries. She convinces them to open up a sandwich shop, which they happily go along with after realizing the best part of their secret society is the food and the friendship. Yup. Fun 3-D paper cut illustrations.
September 30, 2020
Sometimes the mere title of a picture book is enough to snare me. This one was almost that good. The part that grabbed me was the description of the three friends: A hippo. an earthworm, a lightbulb. How can you not love a picture book featuring a lightbulb as one of the main characters?
I am glad I read this one. Totally worth it.
I am glad I read this one. Totally worth it.
December 3, 2020
The Secret Rhino Society is a delightful concept - a group of friends brought together by a shared love of a topic. Of course, the story doesn't end there, but the friends have an opportunity to learn something new about their favorite topic, and to grow. My favorite part of this book - the refreshing illustrations. Made of paper layers, the pictures are colorful and captivating.
June 16, 2020
This is a cute concept. Three unlikely friends see a movie about rhinos are all fascinated. They form a club and want to be as rhino-like as they can be until one day a rhino knocks on the door. The illustrations are textured and unique. The characters are amusing. A fun book.
July 1, 2020
This is a beautiful story of friendship, acceptance and love. Three lovable characters, who share a fascination with rhinos, learn about stereotypes and the importance of being open and accepting of others. The story is simple yet powerful and the illustrations are fabulous.
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August 17, 2020It kinda reminded me of Strictly No Elephants
November 12, 2020
This was a cute book about 3 unlikely friends meeting someone who wasn't what they were expecting and accepting them but I think the concept of it being allegory for "diversity, tolerance, and acceptance" as booklist called it might be a little lost on most children
June 25, 2020
This is such a lovely book. The story about expectations is so important for kids to learn, and the art is beautiful.
July 9, 2020
My 2 thoughts after reading this book:
1) The illustrations are incredibly clever and fun.
2) I don't get it.
1) The illustrations are incredibly clever and fun.
2) I don't get it.
August 2, 2020
Odd story. Excellent mixed-media illustrations elevate the book to 4 stars.
August 8, 2020
A genderless character with they/them pronouns and embracing some stereotypes over other stereotypes.
August 13, 2020
Really love the illustrative style. The story takes a weird left turn and then ends abruptly. It feels like something is missing in the transition to the ending.
September 8, 2020
Love the illustrations!
September 8, 2020
The illustrations are cute, but this is random and choppy, and it doesn't have a satisfying take-away message to justify its incompleteness as a story.
September 30, 2020
An elementary and up book about three friends who long to be rhinoceroses and have a secret society where they celebrate all things rhino!
October 20, 2020
The story is cute, but a three. The illustrations are a five!
November 1, 2020
I loved the illustrations - photographs of little sets
November 6, 2020
As a society we appreciate a great club with fresh ingredients.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews