But Not the Hippopotamus
Rhymed pairs repeatedly join shared activities while the hippopotamus remains outside, then invite her in before the closing armadillo reversal. The repeated exclusion phrase creates both anticipation and an unsettled final joke.
But Not the Hippopotamus by Sandra Boynton is estimated to take about 2 minutes to read aloud (60 words, 1 sentence a spread). Best for ages 0-3.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 2 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Words
- 60Approximate
- Sentences per spread
- 1Text density
- Re-read tolerance
- 4/5repeat friendly
- Vocabulary level
- 2/5everyday words
- Best for
- Ages 0-3Age range
Our review
Animal pairs dine, try on hats and take part in other activities while the same refrain leaves the hippopotamus outside. When the group finally notices and invites her, the repeated structure releases—only for an armadillo to occupy the excluded position on the last page. That reversal prevents the ending from becoming a complete solution.
The Good Egg also uses a group of food characters, but it examines one member’s exhausting attempt to manage the rest. Hippopotamus is shorter and better for noticing who is missing from a group. Because no cause or repair is supplied for either exclusion, an adult can ask what an actual invitation and welcome would require rather than stopping at the rhyme.
Before you buy it
The story does not explain why the hippo is excluded or what inclusion requires, and the armadillo ends alone. It opens a discussion about belonging but does not model a full repair.
Themes
- belonging
- animals
- rhyme
- joining in
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