Penguin Australia
April 2024
- ISBN: 9781761341700
- Imprint: Puffin
- RRP: $24.99
This utterly delightful book completely reminded me of Forrest Gump:
For Forrest, the only thing that was going to help was running. For Billy, he just wants Hippo to listen.
Hippo is the most willing and helpul friend one could have. But sometimes we don’t want razzamatazz like dressing up, pirate ships and parties. Sometimes, it’s definitely the cosy blanket on the couch, the hot chocolate and marshmallows and a willing listener.
We are working hard to instil emotional intelligence in our Smalls, helping them to be self-aware and self-regulate, but also to be empathic towards others. Billy’s feeling sad – and author Gabriel’s use of synonyms (not metaphors as I saw someone else comment!) will lend an extra ooomph to reading this one from a literacy PoV.
Hippo can see that straight away and tries his hardest to cheer Billy up with many extravagant and exciting ideas, in his own exuberant way. But really, all Billy wants is to talk out his feelings. The way his tummy feels ‘like scrambled eggs with extra chili’ or ‘like a scary boat ride’ and so Hippo listens, and is, after all, a very good listener. And when he’s talked it all out, Billy feels much better although still sad – but it’s a manageable sadness.
This is a really great match for any of your kids who have seen the Inside Out movies and are ready to have whole conversations around emotions. We need our kids to be resilient, and also to recognise when they may need support or help with them. And this a lovely gentle and wise (but funny as well!) entrée into a conversation that will be beneficial.
All the feels for this one with a 5 ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ rating.
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