"All hippos have birds, and Bella is mine," says the hippo hero. "Correction. All birds have hippos, and Hugo is mine," the bird hero retorts. Thus, Ann Bonwill (Bug and Bear) sets up the duo's differing points of view and the source of her picture book's humor.
Hugo's statements appear in balloon-like type that reflects his round, commanding shape. Bella's lines appear in more delicate lettering that complements her light-as-feathers presence. But don't underestimate Bella's strength of character. As the two prepare for the "Hippo-Bird Fairy-Tale Fancy Dress Party"--er, the "Bird-Hippo Fairy-Tale Fancy Dress Party"--they run into a slight disagreement about the costume.
Hugo thinks they should dress as the princess (Hugo) and the pea (Bella). Bella thinks a pea "is too green and small." She wants to be a mermaid, with Hugo as her rock. But Hugo thinks a rock is "too gray and blobby." Simon Rickerty's (Unfortunately) bold black outlines accentuate the hippo's silvery tones and the bird's baby blue against glorious backdrops of butter yellow and hot pink. His occasional use of patterns (for the king's cape and jester's cap, for instance) heighten visual interest. After several more no-gos, the two erupt in a two-page image of orange hippo footprints and bird scratches. Will they each go to the party solo? But what is a hippo without his bird, or a bird without her hippo?
This comical yet poignant tale models a way to compromise for the greater good of fun and friendship. --Jennifer M. Brown, children's editor, Shelf Awareness