- Graphic Novels
- Ages 7–11
- Science Fiction
Hilo: Saving the Whole Wide World
Book 2 of 11 in HiloView the full series
A monster-portal escalation of the first book, full of giant mutant chickens, warrior cats, killer vegetables and Team Hilo chaos. This is the point where the series fully becomes a high-energy sci-fi comedy adventure.
- Best for7–11
- FormatGraphic
- Length208 pp
- Read aloud~1 hr40 min
The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Conversational
- Comedic
Tone
- Funny
- Silly
- Exciting
- Adventurous
- Absurdist
Themes
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
Hilo is settling into life on Earth, which means learning about bowling, knock-knock jokes and why human life is both confusing and brilliant. But normality does not last. Strange portals begin opening all over town, sending bizarre creatures into D.J. and Gina's world: giant mutant chickens, Viking hippos, magical warrior cats and even killer vegetables. Team Hilo has to work out how to send them home before Earth is completely wrecked. This second Hilo book keeps the friendship warmth of the opener but turns the absurd sci-fi action up several notches. The jokes are big, visual and immediate, while the clear panel storytelling keeps the pace accessible for readers who like movement on every page. Underneath the chaos, the book continues to build Hilo, D.J. and Gina as a loyal team learning that saving the world is less scary when friends are doing it together.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
- 1
- 3
- 5
- 7
- 9
- 11
- 13
- Best fit · 7–11
- Read aloud · 7–10
- Independent · 7–11
Prose load
Light
Visual support
Very high
Reluctant-reader friendly
Very
Read-aloud quality
Strong
Works well for
- Reading aloud
- Reluctant readers
Nothing in the book is likely to concern most parents. Safe to recommend without preview.
Bedtime suitability
2 / 5 · Better outside bedtime
Sensitive-child
4 / 5 · Good fit
Graphic intensity
1 / 5 · None
Best for
- Dog man next step
- Monster chaos
- Funny graphic novel
- Robot adventure
- Reluctant readers
Avoid if
- Has not read book one
- Wants quiet books
- Dislikes silly monsters
Particularly good for children who are…
- Reluctant reader
- Struggling with reading
- Making friends
- Low self esteem
In the classroom
How it works in school.
A funny, action-packed sci-fi comic series — a top reluctant-reader hook and classroom-library favourite.
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 kick is portals spitting out chaos — giant mutant chickens, Viking hippos, killer vegetables, magical warrior cats pouring into DJ and Gina's town. The Hilo where the series leans fully into its absurd sci-fi instincts.
- Adventure and freedom
- Friendship and belonging
- Making a difference
- Proving yourself
- Secret skill
Why parents love it
The Hilo sequel that locks the formula in — portal-chaos premise, monster-of-the-page comedy, friendship core intact. Best read after book one; the absurd action only lands when the cast already feels familiar.
- Shared humour
- Quick to read
- Conversation starter
In the series
Hilo.
11 books · open the series →
About the author & illustrator
Judd Winick.
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.
- Bookshop.org ↗
- Waterstones ↗
- Amazon UK ↗
- Hive ↗
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