By Barbara Bockman
Illustrated by Roger Vanderlinden
“What's to do?” Little Hippo sighed.
“Something that I have never tried!”
Up from the river he boldly came
Looking for a brand new game.
“Come play with me,” the monkey said.
“We'll swing in the trees overhead.”
Little Hippo gave a snort.
“I'm rather chunky, and my tail's too short.”
“Hi!” called out a bird so blue.
“Flying is the thing to do.”
The Hippo said, “I would like that.
But--NO--I might go ‘splat'!”
Friend Rhino came lumbering by--
Tossing a boulder into the sky.
“How would you like to toss this rock?”
The Rhino asked. “It's fun to sock.”
“No thanks,” the little Hippo said.
“That rock might break my tender head.”
“Let's sing,” said the Parrot, “a pretty duet.
Our voices will sweetly blend--you bet!”
“I might,” said Hippo, “screech or bellow.
My voice isn't all that mellow.”
“Enough! Enough! about flying and singing,”
Said Little Elephant, his trunk a-swinging.
“You can't toss rocks or swing in trees.
Come back with me to the river, please.”
Little Hippo followed his guide,
Down to the river where it's wide.
They played and splashed a long, long while.
Hippo laughed. “Now THIS is my style.”
Mrs. Bockman is pleased to acknowledge that the inspiration for “Little Hippo” came from an illustration by her daughter, Jennifer Dearinger.
To learn more about Roger Vanderlinden, please visit his website at http://www.vanderville.com.
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