Pages

Friday, September 11, 2009

The HICCUPotamus



I definitely don't want to forget what today is. At the same time, we are afforded the privilege of moving forward. With that in mind, when I was contacted to participate in a blog tour for the re-release of Aaron Zenz's book The Hiccupotamus, I LEAPT at the chance. Not participate in promoting a book by one of my favorite children's blog facilitators? Why, there wasn't any question!

For those of you who are still unaware of the blog Bookie Woogie, please go familiarize yourself with it. Author and illustrator Aaron Zenz talks and blogs about books with his three kids and it's a great deal of fun to read about. Furthermore, after they read and discuss each book, each of the kids (Lily, Gracie and Isaac) each produce their own illustration/version of the story for the delight and amusement of us blog readers. They have one of the most unique blogs I've ever seen and I encourage you to check them out!

What I did not realize when I started reading their blog, was that the dad was an illustrator himself. (This explains the kid's talent.) Enter: The Hiccupotamus.

This book arrived in our mailbox on the very afternoon following the very morning in which Bookworm1 had had the hiccups no less than four times. This book was very relevant, as you can see.

"There was a hippopotamus
Who hiccupped quite-a-lotamus . . ."
In fact, this hippopotamus cannot stop hiccuping and gets himself into lots of trouble with the other animals when his involuntary reaction to the hiccups cause a variety of accidents. Finally, relief is obtained on the part of the hiccopotomus but the other animals are not quite so lucky having succumbed to the terrors of hiccups themselves. Very cute book. It was very much enjoyed around our parts.

Furthermore, the illustrations are very bright, cartoonish and feature our favorite animals (i.e., the rhinoceros and the elephant). This is a very silly book that is perfect for youngsters who like to twist their words to create silly sounds. Love Zenz's style and love this book (and neither of those loves have anything to do with love of the Bookie Woogie blog but I can't exactly say it wasn't prefaced with that! I was predisposed to like the book and glad that I actually did).

If things couldn't get any cooler around here, Aaron is also offering two giveaway copies to one reader here at Reading to Know (one for you and one for a friend!) To win? Leave a comment below. U.S. Residents only, please.

In the meantime, if you are looking for a silly good time, look for The Hiccupotamus. Fun stuff!

But wait! That's not all! Want to learn more about the man holding the crayons? Check out his website which is one of the way-to-MUCH-more-interesting author/illustrator websites that I've seen. Aaron included stories that he wrote and illustrated in his younger days. I loved being able to see what he wrote and drew when he was a teenager. You can definitely see that the passion for creating stories was there early on.

My favorite story? The Knight Before Christmas.

Remember that journal that you kept in high school (and, if you were smart, probably destroyed)? He posted his journal online. Take a peek here.

Have fun (and don't forget to leave a comment to win a copy of this book)!

Also, if you just can't get enough of this, check out Aaron & Co.'s blog post in which Z-kids discuss their dad's book.

THE CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED! The winner is #3 - Heidi Noel! I'll be popping you an e-mail shortly, Heidi.

27 comments:

Stephanie Kay said...

Looks like a very cute book. They have a great blog as well!!

Stephanie said...

We've checked out that book from the library before and enjoyed it!

Heidi Noel said...

I knew the book before I stumbled onto his blog. I love how he plays with rhyme and the softness of the illustrations.

Amy @ Hope Is the Word said...

Their blog is fun, and this looks like a great book! sign me up!

Candi Criddle said...

You were right with the tip about "The Knight Before Christmas." That is hilarious. I am looking forward to seeing Hiccupotamus.

kayleeglo said...

This book looks so cute! I can't wait to get my hands on it!

Beth said...

Thanks for the great giveaway. Please enter me. The books is adorable.
lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Honey Mommy said...

This book looks like so much fun! I think it would make my little boys just laugh!

honey2mommy(at)gmail(d0t)com

Anonymous said...

Would love to be entered.

Penny Hull

mpdh591atyahoodotcom

Wendi P said...

Wow! I did not know that he wrote the Howie series. Can't wait to read his latest creation!

Jen @ Happy Little Homemaker said...

These would be cute! Count me in!

Linda said...

This is such a cute book for kids. Please enter me.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Please enter me in the contest. Thanks!

Wendy Jones

Anonymous said...

This book looks so cute- I enjoyed reading his blog post,too.

Thanks for the great giveaway-
Jen N
artandjen at juno dot com

anne said...

Thanks for the heads up about this book. Maybe I can win a copy!

Kristi Valiant said...

Their blog is super fun and so is this book. Thanks for hosting a giveaway.

Boysnberries' Brambles said...

We LOVE Mr. Zenz' books immensely. And his kiddos' reviews are perfect! We check them out before heading to the library.

Alyce said...

I think my son would really like this!

akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

KR said...

I teach kindergarten. I know my kinder kids would love this book.

The blog was fun!

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

Janet Halfmann said...

This sounds like a wonderful book. My grandsons would love it. Thanks for the giveaway.

Shawntele said...

What a cute book, thank you for posting about it and also for the entry to your giveaway.

dag888888 said...

This is a really good book! Count me in!

dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

Brooke said...

OH heavens Aaron is just plain evil... Now when I do have time to get on the computer I will be flipping between BW and his journal.. hehee Love the journal entries lol... weeshenanigans (at) gmail (dot) com

Mozi Esme said...

My daughter would love this!

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Swati said...

Aha, another bookrazy mom! Glad to meet you dear. Love to read about books I haven't got, though the heartburn can be an occupational hazard :) Here via Bookie-woogie, in search of a free book...

Pamela S said...

This looks like such a fun book and I love the colorful illustrations. Thanks so much! pamelashockley(AT)netscape(DOT)net

Heidi Noel said...

Amazed and honored. I rarely win anything. Books are the best!

Top  blogs