There’s a Hippopotamus on our Roof Eating Cake

There’s a Hippopotamus on our Roof Eating Cake by Hazel Edwards, illustrated by Deborah Niland (Puffin) HB RRP $19.99 ISBN 9781 760896270

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

It’s amazing that a children’s book has been 40 years in print, but that is the case with this classic Australian children’s picture book which, with cover embellishments of pink flocking on the hippo, has been reprinted as an anniversary edition and collector’s item.

When Dad notices that there’s a hole in the roof, his very imaginative daughter decides that what’s causing it is a hippopotamus up above eating cake. When the child has a bath, she conjures up the hippopotamus on the roof having a shower. Then, when she cuts her knee and has stitches, she declares the big pink beast has a bandage on its knee, too. It also watches television on the roof and draws with crayons. Even when men fix the leaking roof, the little girl is convinced the hippopotamus will be back that night. No doubt it will be on the roof through all her childhood.

All young children are imaginative so it’s obvious why Edwards’ book has not only been in print for decades, but it’s evolved into a series of seven picture books and inspired a junior chapter book. It’s also led to the publication of play scripts, a musical and a short movie, not to mention being translated into Braille and Auslan (and more). Surely no other picture book in the world has been as popular as this one!

Of major appeal of this book are the simple, large, bright line and watercolour pictures by talented Niland. Her hippopotamus is not only pink but looks like a jolly creature that any child would adore. The animal is shown – huge and friendly – on even pages opposite text and illustrations of the little girl. The text is simple and so rhythmic it lends itself to multiple readings by parents or other carers.

How many decades more, one wonders, will the hippopotamus hang around to amuse and entertain young readers aged 4+ years? One can imagine that over the years, a girl grows to motherhood and then reads the book to her own children.

Ho! Ho! Ho! There’s a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Christmas Cake

Ho! Ho! Ho! There’s a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Christmas Cake by Hazel Edwards, illustrated by Deborah Niland (Puffin Books) HB RRP $19.99 ISBN 978 0143790679

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Australian author Hazel Edwards had a best-seller, There’s a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake, in 2005 and since then she has produced various incantations of the book which is targeted at pre-schoolers. Now here’s the latest with the oversized pink hippo complete with a Santa hat getting ready for Christmas.

A curly blonde-haired boy is told by his father that there’s a man fixing roof tiles, but the boy knows the truth – there’s a hippopotamus up there getting ready – as is he – for Christmas. The hippo is making a cake and icing it, then he’s making a list for Santa (just like the boy). Before long the hippo is dancing a cake dance. 

At the same time that the boy and his family are decorating their Christmas tree, the hippo on the roof has a disaster – he accidentally sits on his Christmas tree ‘with his big wobbly bottom'! However, hippo is clever, and fixes it so it looks as good as new. Niland’s full-page, colourful illustration on this page shows a tree resplendent with goodies such as carrots, apples, cherries and cakes (donuts and lamingtons, of course!)

The rest of the book has the boy and the hippo on the roof preparing for the big day (gingerbread, card-making, wrapping gifts, stringing fairy lights) until finally the boy’s family all dress in Santa suits (as does the hippo). On Christmas eve there’s Carols by Candlelight, and of course stockings and food for Santa and his reindeer. When Christmas Day arrives, there is happiness and discovery for everyone.

This is a joyous, even scrumptious book with page after page of bright illustrations that reward the reader with multiple readings. It will especially appeal to any child who is super-excited as he or she anticipates all that Christmas Day will bring, and who is involved with family in preparing for the big day. The text is easy to read with large font and simple sentences. Certainly this is a great book for a small child’s Christmas stocking!