The Hiccup

PreS-Gr 2—Most hiccup books are predictable. In this one, Elliott the bear goes through many of the familiar steps (drinking water, being scared, holding his breath) to cure his hiccups, but the humorous illustrations of his encounters with a variety of animals add interest to the story line. He drinks pond water through a straw like the frog, and he lets a rabbit poke him in the stomach with a twig so the monster in his mouth will run away. The ending won't surprise adults, but children will share in Elliott's sense of vindication when they discover who develops the hiccups next. There are no sound effects in this book, so it's not obvious which bear has the hiccups, but a polka-dotted scarf differentiates Elliott from his unsympathetic cousin Lutz. Sissung's freehand illustrations include blends of color and texture and white streaks for light. This story could be incorporated into a storytime about consequences or kindness.—Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, AB, Canada