FICTION

The Hippo at the End of the Hall

by Helen Cooper (text) & illus. by Helen Cooper
Candlewick. Oct. 2019. 352p. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781536204483.
COPY ISBN
Gr 2-5–When a mysterious invitation to the Gee museum arrives at Ben’s house, he’s sure it’s for him. Although his mother discourages him, Ben sneaks off to the museum, where he finds a menagerie of talking taxidermied animals, a colony of magic bees, and a host of oddities all in danger of losing their home. As the museum’s troubles are revealed, Ben also learns about other secrets while working to save the collections from an evil developer and a rival museum. This fanciful tale will keep readers interested from the outset. The talking animals and miraculous museum are intriguing, and the illustrations are inviting. The fantasy is perfectly integrated into the fast-moving plot. There is a slightly evil witch, but overall the story is accessible to a wide age range.
VERDICT Readers who are just beyond Mary Pope Osborne’s “The Magic Treehouse” but not quite ready for J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” will find this a great fit. A fantastical, captivating illustrated novel that will appeal to many young fantasy readers.
Reviewed by Ellen Conlin, Naperville Public Library, IL , Oct 01, 2019

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