A Hippo in Our Yard by Liza Donnelly -ADVISABLE

Donnelly, Liza A Hippo in Our Yard. Holiday House, Inc., 2016. $16.95. PICTURE BOOK.  When Sally comes running into the house yelling that there is a hippo in their front yard, her mother's response is simply, "I don't think so, dear." When Sally askes her to come and see for herself, mother's response is, "Not now, Sally.  I am eating."  Sally then takes some lettuce from her mom's salad and gives it to the hippo to eat.  There is a tiger in the tree, a family of zebras in the garage and koalas in their hammock.  Desparately, Sally tries to get someone, ANYONE, to come to the front yard to see the zoo animals.  Mom, Dad, Sister and Grandma all have excuses as to why they can't go see what they think are Sally's imaginary zoo friends.  Most often they respond without even looking up from their task at hand.  Mom then gets a phone call that changes everything.  I am sure that every parent will feel a twinge of regret when reading this all-too-honest book about how adults and older siblings can find more important things to do than listen to the sound of a child's voice. "Not now, Maybe later, and That's nice dear" are all too easy for adults to say.  We enjoyed the simple illustrations and the much needed message in this picture book.  Pre-K.  EL (K-3). ADVISABLE. Reviewer: SL