- Board Books
- Ages 1–4
- Animals
But Not the Hippopotamus
Part of the Sandra Boynton universeOpen the collection
A funny, tender board book about a shy hippopotamus watching everyone else join in. One of Boynton's most emotionally useful titles, especially for toddlers who hover before entering play.
- Best for1–4
- FormatBoard
- Length16 pp
- Read aloud~3 min
The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Rhyming
- Repetitive
- Conversational
- Comedic
Tone
- Funny
- Warm
- Gentle
- Heartwarming
Themes
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
In But Not the Hippopotamus, groups of animals go jogging, dancing, shopping and cavorting together, while the hippopotamus stays just outside the action. The repeated line is comic, but it also captures a very real toddler feeling: wanting to join in while feeling unsure. The ending is small, warm and satisfying, as the hippopotamus finally chooses to go along too. Sandra Boynton keeps everything tiny and silly, but this book carries more emotional resonance than many of her pure gag books. It works both as a funny read-aloud and as a gentle inclusion story, giving adults a simple way to talk about shyness, belonging and invitation. It is essential because it adds emotional usefulness to Boynton's core board-book appeal without losing brevity or humour.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
- 1
- 3
- 5
- 7
- 9
- 11
- 13
- Best fit · 1–4
- Read aloud · 1–5
- Independent · 2–5
Prose load
Light
Visual support
Very high
Reluctant-reader friendly
Very
Read-aloud quality
Excellent
Works well for
- Reading aloud
- Bedtime
- Gift-buying
- Reluctant readers
Nothing in the book is likely to concern most parents. Safe to recommend without preview.
Bedtime suitability
5 / 5 · Bedtime-friendly
Sensitive-child
4 / 5 · Good fit
Graphic intensity
1 / 5 · None
Best for
- Shyness
- Joining in
- Toddlers
- Gentle inclusion
- Funny board book
Avoid if
- Wants fast action
- Wants story depth
- Older than 5
Particularly good for children who are…
- Making friends
- Starting nursery or preschool
- Low self esteem
- Anxiety and worry
- Separation anxiety
In the classroom
How it works in school.
A rhyming Boynton board book about joining in — made for reading aloud, with a gentle nudge about belonging.
A book children love that happens to support school — never a stand-in for the texts a class is taught with. Reviewed for the classroom · June 2026.
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
The specific feeling is hovering on the edge of play — every animal joining in, the hippopotamus watching from outside, the small relief when the invitation finally comes. A two-year-old who's ever stood at the edge of a soft-play group recognises every page.
- Friendship and belonging
- Animal companions
Why parents love it
The most quietly emotional Boynton — the hippopotamus hovering on the edge of a group is something every small child has felt. The 'come and join us' ending is one of her warmest beats. Useful for any toddler about to start playgroup or nursery.
- Shared humour
- Conversation starter
- Quick to read
- Bedtime appropriate
About the author & illustrator
Sandra Boynton.
If you liked this
Three ways out of this book.
If you liked this, try…
Lateral matches. Same shelf, different texture.
Come into this from…
Easier or preparing reads — perfect lead-ins.
Where to go next…
Escalation reads — a step up in scale, silliness, or stakes.
Buy or borrow
Pick up a copy.
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- Hive ↗
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