Beagles and Books is excited to be a part of the blog tour for Duck and Hippo Give Thanks written by Jonathan London and illustrated by Andrew Joyner. It recently published in August 2018. Special thanks to Two Lions Publishing and Barbara Fisch of Blue Slip Media for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Publisher’s Summary:
Duck and Hippo are thankful for good friends!
It’s the day before Thanksgiving, and Hippo has his heart set on having a good old-fashioned feast with Duck and their friends. Together, Duck and Hippo go shopping for food and invite Turtle, Elephant, and Pig to share the special day with them. Then they get everything ready. But while Hippo goes to bed dreaming of his good old-fashioned Thanksgiving, Duck is busy making her own plans. There’s going to be a BIG surprise—one that will remind Hippo of all he has to be thankful for. Join Duck and Hippo for a memorable celebration!
Review and Thoughts:
I love finding seasonal read alouds that I can share with students before a holiday. Duck and Hippo Give Thanks is a sweet story with two simple yet powerful messages. True friendship is about accepting others for who they are, and the best gift is time together with friends.
At my elementary school this year, we are focusing on teaching students a virtue a week and acknowledging students who demonstrate that virtue through their words and actions. After reading aloud Duck and Hippo Give Thanks to a second grade class, I asked “What do you think the author wanted to teach us?” Many hands went up in the air with connections to the previously taught virtues. Here are some of the kids’ comments.
“This story taught me about being kind. Hippo was kind to invite all his friends to Thanksgiving dinner and the animals were kind to bring food to share.”
“I think the author wanted us to know that being a good friend means you don’t always get your way. When the animals brought their own food, Hippo looked mad at first but then he changed his mind and said he was thankful for his friends.”
“The story reminded me of our virtue of cooperation. Hippo and his friends all worked together to make food for Thanksgiving.”
It always warms this teacher’s heart when children can identify themes on their own and can see that books can have multiple messages. I enjoy Duck and Hippo because they remind me of Frog and Toad. Duck is adventurous and Hippo is a little more set in his ways. Together, they are great friends because they bring out the best in each other. Andrew Joyner’s illustrations warmly capture both Duck’s and Hippo’s personalities.
If Duck and Hippo are new to you, check out the series. And be on the look out for the next book, Duck and Hippo: The Secret Valentine, due out on December 18, 2018.
About the Author:
Jonathan London is the author of more than one hundred children’s books, including the Froggy series, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, which has sold more than fifteen million copies. Jonathan lives in Graton, California. Learn more at www.jonathan-london.net.
About the Illustrator:
Andrew Joyner is an Australian illustrator and author whose work has been published in more than twenty-five countries. He has created the artwork for many picture books, and he is author and illustrator of a chapter book series about a warthog named Boris. Andrew lives in South Australia. Learn more at www.andrewjoyner.com.au.
There’s more fun with Duck and Hippo in the free downloadable activity pages: https://www.andrewjoyner.com.au/activities/.
Duck and Hippo give thanks for good friends in this sweet book trailer.
Giveaway!
Two Lions is offering a set of all three Duck and Hippo books–DUCK AND HIPPO IN THE RAINSTORM, DUCK AND HIPPO LOST AND FOUND, and DUCK AND HIPPO GIVE THANKS–to one lucky winner (U.S. addresses). Giveaway begins Friday, November 16, 2018 and ends at 12:00 a.m. on Friday, November 23, 2018. Enter by clicking the link below.
Beagles & Books 
This series sounds wonderful–the trailer is a riot! I’m thankful for good friends, books, and animals–especially dogs, rabbits, and chins (I have a rescued crew)! WIll put Duck & Hippo on my wishlist.
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“What are you most thankful for?” For my health, I guess!
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Laura, I can’t wait to read this book with my students! Sounds like your young readers were able to make some great connections. I am thankful for access to such a wealth of new and engaging texts, and the ability to share my love of reading with students every day. (I am also thankful for my colleagues, friends, family, and new house!)
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