There's a Hippo in my Toilet!: Peculiar Pop-Ups
Usborne Pop-Ups Series
What’s inside...
A whimsical tale featuring a series of unexpected and humorous encounters with a variety of animals in unlikely places, all brought to life with engaging pop-up elements. You'd better not open the flaps, because the animals might jump out! Children will love stepping into the mischievous world of this unique and hilarious pop-up book. Full of surprises that are guaranteed to cause giggles, and wittily illustrated by the brilliant Susan Batori, the book culminates in a spectacular pop-up with all the different animals springing out together.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
10 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the hippo was doing before it ended up in the toilet?
How do you think the other characters felt when they saw the hippo?
What would you do if you found a hippo in your toilet?
Why do you think the author chose a hippo for the story?
Can you think of another funny place where the hippo could go next?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive voices for different characters to make the reading more captivating and encourage emotional understanding.
Ask your child to guess what might happen next, enhancing their predictive skills.
After reading, encourage your child to draw their favorite scene, which helps with comprehension and creative expression.
Discuss the absurdity and humor in the story, which can help develop a child's sense of humor and creativity.
Relate the story to personal experiences where something unexpected happened, making connections to real-life events.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing the Unexpected
Explanation: The pop-up hippo in unexpected places like toilets shows children that surprises can happen anywhere, making mundane experiences exciting.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to see the fun in daily routines and develop a positive attitude towards unforeseen events.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving
Explanation: Characters in the book come up with creative solutions to manage the mischievous hippo, demonstrating quick thinking.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think critically and solve problems when they encounter obstacles in their own lives.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: As characters interact with the hippo, they show kindness and attempt to understand its antics, rather than reacting with fear or anger.
Real-World Application: Children learn to empathize with others who may seem different and handle situations with compassion.
Example Lesson: Importance of Humor
Explanation: The humorous scenarios surrounding the hippo’s presence lightens the mood and entertains
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of laughter and maintaining a sense of humor, even in bizarre situations.