A good book to introduce rhyming.

Look, I love all Boynton's books, but this is a special favorite. Grab it, read it. ( )

Lots of fun, rhyming silliness! ( )

Pretty funny story yet it reminds me of "Eleanor Rigby"; all the lonely people; where do they all come from? ( )

Nice rhymes and rhythms, but the plot normalizes leaving some kids out of fun times (a fat quiet hippo, a hardened yellow armadillo). The lessons seem to be (a) insert yourself where you haven't been invited, and (b) you don't need to be kind or make overtures or keep an eye out for the kids on the sidelines who may be intimidated to join in. A read-aloud with over-the-top histrionics might even encourage laughing at kids who have a history of being excluded and are upset by it. Yuck. There exist much better lessons on handling shyness and alienation and loneliness. ( )

I loved reading this to my daughter when she was young, and read it again this year (2018) after reading the disappointing new sequel. Still love it! The combination of words and pictures is cute, charming and delightful. ( )

My two-year-old loves this book! It is one of the most delightful books for young children I have ever encountered. The fun illustrations depict the Hippopotamus, always watching her friends do things together, while looks on. But suddenly they all stop and ask her to join in. What will she do? Even she has to pause to decide. Find out in this lovely children's book! ( )

Heartbreaking. ( )

Best Boynton book. ( )

a cute book about including others in what we are doing. the hippo doesn't do anything with friends for most of the book but he's friends finally ask him to be a part of their group.
3 books

The shy hippo finally joins in ("But YES the hippopotamus!")...but not the armadillo. ( )

But Not the Hippopotamus is a rhyming story about a variety of animals doing things together while a presumably shy hippopotamus looks on before eventually joining in on the fun. I've quite enjoyed some of Boynton's books in the past, but this one didn't really do much for me. The rhyming and all the animals are fun aspects, but I feel like the story is a little lacking, like you'd have to really explain a lot to young readers about what's going on. On the other hand, it might be a good book for getting toddlers and preschoolers to practice empathy skills and try to think out on their own why the hippopotamus might not be joining in at first. Is she shy? Nervous? Scared? The illustrative style is typical Boynton, which is to say a bit cartoonish but still realistic enough to be recognizable. This isn't a favorite of mine, but it's not a bad offering in the board book world. ( )

This was one of the first books I ever read as a child. To this day, hippos are my favorite animal. This is such a cute book and an easy read. The rhyme and pictures make it a fun book to read out loud. In addition, this book covers the topics of shyness, inclusion, and making friends. These topics are crucial for young children to grasp as their coming out of the "mine" and "no" stages. It is almost indirect, but children get it. ( )

This is a fictional beginning reader, rhyming concept book focused on friends and inclusion.

Sandra Boynton tells a simple story about a hippopotamus who is too shy to join a group of animals in a number of activities. A hog and a frog dance while the hippopotamus watches from behind a tree. Two rats and a cat try on hats while hippopotamus watches from a distance through a window. Eventually, the hippopotamus is asked by a group of animals to join them. She then asks herself if she should stay or go. Finally, she decides to join them, but not the armadillo. This little story cleverly discusses the social realities every child must deal with over time. When should a child be independent, and when should she join the group? What will it take to overcome her fear of interacting with new people? Even though the hippopotamus eventually joins the group there will always be another animal to take her place. Now, it's the armadillo's turn to discover when he/she should join the group.

So cute! I love the rhyming words and the funny drawings. However, I do feel sorry for that armadillo. I bought this book for my grandson who will be born in early June! ( )

Pretty funny story yet it reminds me of "Eleanor Rigby"; all the lonely people; where do they all come from? ( )

This book carries many of Boynton's trademarks, with its silly story told in rhyme and cartoon illustrations featuring her lovable animals. All the animals are racing and playing together ... but not the hippopotamus. Boynton is about the happy, though, so the hippopotamus overcomes his fear and joins the gang in the end. The story is cute, although it lacks Boynton's usual lyrical touch. The rhyme isn't bad, but it doesn't flow as smoothly as many of her other stories. The fun factor isn't as high, either, making this book rate low on my Boynton love list. A kudos to the clever joke for adults, though - "not the hippopotamus" because his name doesn't rhyme with any of the other animal names. A good book, but not up to her usual high standards. ( )

All time Sandra Boynton fav. The rhyming anti-rhyming is the best part of this one. Also this one gets into some amount of psychology and getting over feelings of being an outsider. ( )

All the animals are having fun, but the hippopotamus is left out. What will she do?

Another fun board book from Sandra Boynton. Preschoolers will love seeing all the animals and naming them, and of course, laughing at the poor hippopotamus. Boynton's classic simple pictures--solid backgrounds with animals and their activities in the foreground--once again show the expressions of the animals in superficial, but adequate detail to recognize them. Toddlers may enjoy the pictures, and the rhythm and rhyme of the text. ( )

excellent book for toddlers

This book teaches some rhyme, about making friends, and vocabulary. ( )

Sandra Boynton’s children’s books are new classics. I first discovered her delightful picture books via my sister-in-law, who had an entire shelf of Boynton’s books for my nephew. Now, with my own little boy, I’m really enjoying them. Her books all claim “serious silliness” on the back cover. I’d agree: we all enjoy the light-hearted silliness, but a child may still learn something. more detailed review on my blog

This story teaches children to include everyone. People get their feelings hurt when they are left out.

Poor li'l armadillo. *sniff*

There isn't a moral message in this story. A hippo sulks while her friends have fun without her (I always think of the hippo as a girl, anyway) - probably not even noticing that she's there.

This is great for hamming it up, with lots of fake sobs as the story goes on.

Then she is given her metaphorical engraved invitation and is delighted to join in. And now the armadillo is on the sidelines, probably to have his own (armadillo always seemed like a guy to me) happy ending later.

Simple, short story for short kids. ( )