Hippospotamus

K-Gr 2–Hippopotamus is quite distressed to find a “spotamus” on her “bottomus.” All of the other animals take turns with diagnoses. Weasel says it’s measles, Fox calls it  “hippopox,” and Beaver says “jungle fever.” Hippo listens carefully and tries the suggested cures, one after the other, to no avail. At last a boy wanders by, spies the spot, and knows exactly what it is. He reaches over and removes his misplaced gob of bubble gum from the hippo’s rump. This entertaining account of a mysterious red spot is told primarily in rhyming triplets, making for an enjoyable read-aloud rhythm. Children and adults alike will delight in the wordplay. The cartoon-style, watercolor illustrations are expressive and perfectly complement the text.–Debbie Lewis, Alachua County Library District, FL