Hippos remain calm

This title's hippo protagonists are not the same wholehearted party animals Boynton portrayed more than 45 years ago in Hippos Go Berserk! But make no mistake: these hippos are living their best, totally centered lives. Now they're inclined to read from The Big Book of Hippoetry ("O, flare thy wild nostrils, and welcome the day!"), practice mindfulness (of spring snow flurries, "We can... enjoy how it feels on our noses and eyes"), and appreciate a home where they can "settle and breathe." And when a visit to a friend turns into a raucous hippo party as in the days of yore (a full spread reveals party hats, pink drinks, and hijinks), the protagonists are perfectly capable of hanging in 'til dawn. But their journey home via wheelbarrow now includes a song of gratitude: "Hey I-EEE! I'm a goin' HOME now!" The creator's ability to make googly eyes speak volumes remains unmatched, and the reprise of these simple hippo shapes in her signature colorblock hues feels like an embrace from an old friend. As for the hippos, their Middle Way should resonate with introverts, extroverts, and everyone in between. All ages. (Dec.)

When the unpredictable occurs, two hippos (mostly) do their best to keep their cool. Boynton's beloved hippos grace pages once more; this time their story is a play on the author's debut, Hippos Go Berserk (1977). A cozy day at home turns out quite unexpectedly for the titular hippos. As they wander outside "in the cool April weather," it suddenly begins to snow. A loud group of ducks interrupts their quiet, and an evening with a friend eventually becomes an opportunity for a partying group of hippos to go…well, berserk. Through it all, the hippos greet each surprise with a positive attitude, turning something like spring snow into a sensory delight. Boynton's fans will surely approve of this hippo revival. The illustrations are easily recognizable, and eagle-eyed readers will note that the scene with the party animals is a near-identical replica of that in the original. Readers will chuckle at the hippos' version of poetry and a ringing telephone that demands to be answered. The rhyming text hits a familiar rhythm and read-aloud cadence. From deep breathing to displaying flexibility, the hippos demonstrate useful self-soothing techniques to little readers. Perhaps the most profound technique is that sometimes, remaining calm in a situation means joining in and letting loose with the not-so-calm crew. These hippos (like Boynton) continue to charm. (Picture book. 2-4) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.