Mama
by Jeanette Winter is another sweet story, told basically through illustrations only, except for the words "mama and baby". On the last page of the book is a brief synopsis of what really occurred when a baby hippo became separated from his mother when the great waves hit following the tsunami. After struggling alone for several days, the baby hippo was rescued by Kenyan wildlife officers and brought to live in an animal refuge. There, the baby hippo adopted a new "mama", a 130-year-old giant male tortoise. And they've been inseparable ever since.The author's illustrations demonstrate the fear and loneliness experienced by the hippo as he searched for his mama. Simplistic, yes, however, it is a very effective way to tell this story to young children.
RATING - 4/5 stars
library book
This book sounds so sweet. Just the story alone is tearing at my heart! Thanks for sharing it! And I'm so glad the baby hippo was rescued!
ReplyDeleteI always think it's amazing when an animal adopts another animal that is a different species and this book sounds really wonderful! Thanks for sharing this with us!
ReplyDeleteI heard about this. It is surprising how easily animals can form interspecies relationships. One of my favorite blogs, The Daily Coyote, is about a tame coyote whose best friends are a dog and a cat.
ReplyDeleteThe Little One and I read this book ... it was so bittersweet. I was going to ask if you had seen Owen and Mzee ... but then I saw it was the post before this one! These would be great companion books.
ReplyDeleteWith illustration this one will be a great book fir kids!
ReplyDeleteI like Winter's books as much as kids do! It is such a heartwarming story.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see another take on the true story. The simplicity of a book with mostly just illustrations is wonderful.
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