PPBF: Hidden Hippo

Here's another Hippo book for Perfect Picture Book Fridays: 

Hidden Hippo
Written by Joan Gannij
Illustrated by Clare Beaton
Barefoot Books, 2008

Suitable for: Ages 3 and up

Theme/Topic: Animals, Hippos, Hide and Seek, Rhyme

Opening: "When I went exploring.
I wanted to see
A hippo or two.
Perhaps even three?"

Brief Synopsis: An explorer of the African plains searches for a hippo and finds all types of animals, but where, oh where, is the hippo. Each page offers — you guessed it — a hidden hippo.

Link to Resources:   You can draw a picture with a hidden hippo (or another animal) or perhaps creating a scene with fabric illustrations similar to those in the book. The book also contains its own resource including one page about hippos, two pages about endangered species, and four about the animals of the African Plains. Underwater Hippo Art Lesson. This site Deep Space Sparkle has tons of art lesson information!

Why I like this book: We had our own adventure in the living room as we searched for the hidden hippos in this book. To my untrained eye, the illustrations appear to be in felt. This is awesome on its own, but the copyright page mentions "the illustrations were prepared in antique fabrics and felt with buttons, beads and assorted brick-a-brac."

I really like Clare Beaton's website and the samples of her work. I'm always interested in collage work. Beaton says her work is all hand-stitched and she's always looking for more items to recycle and use in her work.

For more Perfect Picture Books, check out Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.