When I Woke Up I Was a Hippopotamus

  • Interest Level: Preschool - Grade 3
  • Reading Level: Grade 2

“When I woke up I was a Hippopotamus! Yawning in the morning, I raised up my sleepy head, then took one look out of the window and got straight back into bed.” A little boy transforms into different creatures as his moods change throughout the day, until finally he goes a little too far and discovers his parents have transformed too!

Format Your Price Add
978-1-4677-6703-3
$22.99
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Interest Level Preschool - Grade 3
Reading Level Grade 2
Genre Picture Books
Publisher Andersen Press USA
Imprint Andersen Press USA
Language English
Publication Date 2014-08-01
Reading Counts! Level 2.1
Text Type Fiction
BISACS JUV002330, JUV051000, JUV019000
Dewey [E]
Graphics Full-color illustrations
Lexile 520
Guided Reading Level L
ATOS Reading Level 2.8
Accelerated Reader® Quiz 144565
Accelerated Reader® Points 0.5
Features Original artwork, Reviewed, and Starred Reviews

Author: Tom MacRae

Illustrator: Ross Collins

Reviews

The Horn Book Guide

“Satisfying silliness.” —The Horn Book Guide

Library Media Connection

“This is a fun book that encourages using one’s imagination and is sure to appeal to a wide variety of youngsters.” —Library Media Connection

Publishers Weekly

“MacRae’s (Baby Pie) verse gets a good boost from Collins (Doodleday), who manages the boy’s transformations and accompanying chaos in sprawling, detailed watercolor cartoons that evince a firm but funny hand. Readers should especially appreciate how this competent, confident hero remains in control of his destiny and lives to pretend another day.” —Publishers Weekly

Kirkus Reviews

“Collins’ artwork serves as an immediate draw to this rambunctious tale of a comically shape-shifting young boy. Energetic illustrations, laden with emotional expressiveness, chronicle the various creatures and things into which the boy morphs, reflecting his changing moods throughout a day.” —Kirkus Reviews

The Daily Mail

“The sheer energy of this gorgeous book perfectly encapsulates the enviably flexible imaginations of young children as a little boy starts the morning as a lazy hippopotamus and metamorphoses into a robot, statue, monkey, monster and even a rocket in the space of one short day. Although it feels a lot longer to weary mum and dad. Joyously illustrated, this rhyming story is a delight. If you haven’t got a youngster to read it to, then borrow one for the weekend.” —The Daily Mail