Hippo Facts and the Secret of Life in the Water — Nature Picture Book
What makes the hippo so amazing?
With its huge body, the hippo is an amazing animal that spends most of the day in the water. The way it opens its mouth so wide is truly striking.
This book brings together all sorts of stories about the hippo, including hippo facts, the hippo in the water, and hippo ecology.
Nature and science facts about the hippo
Despite its huge body, the hippo spends most of the day in the water — to protect its sensitive skin from the hot sun and to cool off (it even releases a reddish fluid from its skin). Its eyes, nose, and ears are gathered on top of its head, so it can see and breathe while its body stays under the water. Opening its mouth very wide is not about food — it's a show of strength. A plant-eating herbivore, it comes out mostly at night to munch on grass, and it can run surprisingly fast on land too.
What Tangobook's «Hippo» covers
Tangobook's «Hippo» warmly shows it spending time in the water, its eyes, nose, and ears gathered on top of its head, opening its mouth wide to show off, and the hippo munching grass at night.
Great points to observe together
Point out things like life in the water (protecting the skin), the placement of the eyes, nose, and ears, the huge mouth (showing off), and being a nocturnal herbivore. Talking together about "Why is the hippo in the water?" is a great idea.
Parent guide — how to spark curiosity
Point to your own face and compare: "its eyes, nose, and ears are on top, so it's fine even when submerged." Explaining that "the big mouth is a show of strength (not for eating)" makes it even more interesting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Why does the hippo stay in the water?
A. To protect its sensitive skin from the hot sun and to cool off.
Q. Why does the hippo open its mouth so wide?
A. It's a show of strength rather than a way of eating.
Q. How can we observe it at home?
A. It's great to point to your face and compare the placement of the eyes, nose, and ears, and to talk about how "the big mouth is a show of strength."
Classic tales worth reading together
If you enjoyed this story, try reading these classic tales together too.
Curious about "Hippo"?
Meet it yourself on Tangobook with beautiful illustrations and Korean and English audio.
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