The Problem With Pumpkins: A Hip & Hop Story

The Problem With Pumpkins: A Hip & Hop Story

Product Description Hip and Hop are not speaking, thanks to a big, round, orange problem--both really want to be pumpkins for Halloween. But bossy Hop says they cant have the same costume. To make matters worse, its raining outside, so there will be no trick-or-treaters . . . and no candy! Halloween is ruined, unless this quirky hippo and rabbit duo can find a way to save the holiday--together. The award-winning creator of Animal Kisses launches a new series about an exuberant hippo and a persnickety rabbit who prove that best friends come in all shapes and sizes! Look for Hip, Hip, Hooray Day!, coming in spring 2002. Amazon.com Review Halloween is approaching, and Hip the hippo and bunny Hop are on the verge of ending their best-friendship over it. Hop has decided to dress up as a pumpkin for trick-or-treating. More than anything, Hip wants to be a pumpkin, too, but bossy Hop says no-can-do. After some negotiating, Hip reluctantly agrees to be a pirate, but on the condition that Hop gives her all his green M&Ms and lets her choose both their costumes next year. Still, Hip is not thrilled with the arrangement, and when an ominous rain cloud makes its appearance on Halloween day, it looks like neither Hip nor Hop is going to have a very good holiday. Can their friendship weather this trying time or will there be a pair of miserable, soggy jack-o-lanterns sulking on their front steps on Halloween night? From the creator of Animal Kisses and Baby Animal Kisses comes a Halloween picture book that will speak to kids all year round. Sharing is tough, and when one friend tends to dominate, theres bound to be trouble sooner or later. Young readers will surely recognize themselves in this three-chapter book. Yes! Its a chapter book, even if the pictures mostly fill the pages, leaving room for a few lines of text at the bottom of each page. Little Hop and rotund Hip, with their tangerine, lime, turquoise, and azure furniture, walls, and clothing, are a real treat for the eye. Watch for future adventures from Hip and Hop. (Ages 4 to 7) --Emilie Coulter From Publishers Weekly Hop, a white rabbit, intends to dress as a pumpkin for Halloween. He doesnt want Hip, a pink hippo, to steal his idea. Hip agrees to be a pirate instead of a pumpkin, but she sulks on the big night. Hop relents, saying, Id rather we were both pumpkins, than trick-or-treat all by myself. In simplified ink-and-watercolor panels, Saltzberg (The Flying Garbanzos) addresses a frequent quarrel among friends with a satisfying compromise. Ages 5-8. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc. From School Library Journal reS-Gr 2-Best friends Hip, a hippo, and Hop, a rabbit, eagerly prepare for Halloween and anticipate the big day with excitement. When Hop announces that he is going to be a pumpkin, Hip declares that she wants to be a pumpkin, too, but settles reluctantly for being a pirate. When a thunderstorm threatens to ruin Halloween, they fear a fiasco, but finally it clears by evening, at which point Hip refuses to go out at all if she has to be a pirate. Finally, Hop concedes that they both can be pumpkins-one big and scary, the other little and happy. The most important thing, after all, they agree, is to go trick-or-treating together. The story, told in three short chapters, lacks vigor and is only mildly amusing. Cartoonlike illustrations in pen and ink, pencil, and watercolor do little to enliven the text. Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc. From Booklist Ages 3-6. Hip the hippo and Hop the little bunny are best of friends, but Halloween threatens to strain their relationship. Hop is going as a pumpkin; thats just what Hip wants to be. Finally, Hop has to bribe Hip with all the green M&Ms he hopes to collect; Hip agrees to spend Halloween as a pirate. Yet, as the book progresses, it becomes clear Hips heart is not in piracy. A falli