We are big fans of Olof Landstrom and Boo and Baa so this book did not disappoint. Boo and Baa are two cute little sheep who seem to fall into one escapade after another and, true to form, they have another adventure in this book. There is fun and games, a thunderstorm, and possibly ghosts! What more you could you ask for in a story?

My three year old just loves the Boo and Baa stories and will actually sit still to lisen to them (quite a miracle, I assure you) so I highly recommend this book for those with energetic toddlers if you are trying to teach them to appreciate a good story.

The Little Hippo's Adventure is an entertaining story by Lena Landstrom about three young and fun loving young hippos looking for adventure. They are anxious to jump from up high into the river below, anxious to trek through the jungle to the cliff, and anxious to jump from way up high on their dive platform in the river. Along the way they learn to watch out for each other and to listen to Mrs. Hippopotamus. They also learn what the real dangers are on the river. I think the illustrations are actually cuter than the story. Lots of fun for those little adventurers out there.

What is it that makes this book irresistible? Maybe the lovely illustrations, which are so warm and inviting that the jungle rolls into your living room. Maybe the funny plot, which centers on three little hippos who long for an adventure but aren't quite ready for what comes along with it. But mostly, I think, the child-like heart of the story. These little hippos have big dreams--they want to jump off Tall Cliff--but are cheerfully oblivious to their own limitations. They can't remember what to be scared of in the jungle, they can't remember what to look out for on the way home, and even though they decide that Tall Cliff is really too tall to jump from, they are just as thrilled and proud to jump from a lower ledge. Perhaps most importantly, the lessons they learn go down easy and never seem to spoil their fun. This is a real charmer.

I don't have any children, but the cover caught my attention so I read the book. The story may be slightly confusing in places, but the illustrations are adorable. Everyone that I show it to loves it.

If you believe that war, poverty and brutality are appropriate topics for third-graders, this is the book for you. And there may very well be Salvadoran parents who wish to introduce the subject of that country's civil war to their children. The book is nicely illustrated, and I can't take issue with the writing on any technical basis. But seriously, the disclosure that Miguel was "hurt by soldiers. Now he can't run and play anymore," is a bit much for an eight-year-old, in my opinion.

This is an engaging story that spoke to my little girl's heart. After she read this book (with minimal help), we discussed the concepts. It changed her heart. She finally became receptive to the idea of giving away some of her toys to poor children.

My daughter also learned some Spanish words, which were beautifully integrated into the text of the story. She has retained the words and their meanings very well after only a few readings. She began to understand the concept of a foreign language because the words were presented in context first in Spanish then in English. This was far more effective than her Spanish picture dictionary.

In short, this is a beautiful book that has the potential to expand your child's horizons and change his/her heart. Children can relate well to the love that the main character has for her favorite - and only - toy, which makes the climax of the story easy to understand. A child who learns even one or two of the Spanish words and phrases could possibly make new friends at the playground. I highly recommend this lovingly written, educational book.