Hippos Go Berserk! Board book – Picture Book, May 1, 2000

Hippos Go Berserk! is possibly the most delightful and funniest counting book ever written. We read this to our child hundreds of times and it never got old. Each time I chuckled at a different aspect of this hilarious story, from the hippo's expressions and home decor to the adult-relatable tale of throwing a party and the mayhem that ensues. My child loved it so much, she took it on every trip and our copy is held together with clear packing tape. I give this to every new baby in our lives, and every parent has told me it is the child's favorite book. Honestly, Hippos Go Berserk! would be on my list of The 5 Books You'd Want on a Deserted Island.

My 6 year old counted all the hippos, my 2 year old loves the rhymes. These are absolutely wonderful and silly books for kids that you will like reading!

This book was super cute and sturdy. The illustrations are very well done and it is very informative to a child who is learning to count. I can see this book holding up for many years because of the material choices utilized. Very happy with purchase.

An often unappreciated style of literature, the board book remains one of our generations most eloquent forms of storytelling. In this world of sophisticated and accessible literature, Sandra Boynton creates a window into a more simplistic view into the fast-paced world of adolescence. This dynamic tale centers around the complex hippopotamus social structure and the intriguing theme of addition to the point of excess. The experience of reading this exuberant novel is one sure to stick with the reader for a lifetime, opening the minds of adolescents , and providing an intimate perspective of reality for the older reader. As with many of today's most successful stories, Hippos Go Berserk begins with a relatable character, lonely and desiring something more in his life. It is this thirst for adventure that so magnificently drives him to summon his friends in hopes of excitement. Hippos arrive from near and far in sets ascending the number line, seeming innocent and enjoyable until the elusive number six. "Six hippos show up with a guest" writes Boynton, leaving the reader to question the identity of said guest. Depicted as a blue fuzzy ambiguous monster, the guest opens the readers' mind to the possibilities and beast-like qualities within themselves. Am I merely an uninvited guest at the metaphorical house party of a lonely hippopotamus? It is the complex inner monologue Boynton creates that really sets this book apart from her other masterpieces (i.e. Doggies). The height of excitement in the plot of this novel falls directly in the center, demonstrating the dangers of excess for the lonely, and spawning the iconic statement, "ALL THE HIPPOS GO BERSERK". This line goes down in history, as the quantity of hippos begin to go down in number. The plot itself concludes as each hippo deserts the illustrious party, leaving our first lonely hippo, missing those he has lost. Thus, in an epic of a mere 29 pages, we observe a lonesome hero rise to power, a self discovery inducing guest in our hearts, the height of an empire of hippopotamus delight, and the return to monotony for our unlucky hero. It is with this condensed form of literature and involved thematic concepts that Boynton rises to the forefront in the board book universe.

This is such a wonderful little book! I love reading it to my nieces and nephews, and it is one of my go-to gifts to buy for expecting parents. The story is so cute, it teaches counting, rhymes adorably, and we all really get a kick out of the illustrations. Buy this book!

This isn’t your typical counting book. There’s a lot of hippos and they go berserk. No plot twists or jump scares. Just good, old fashioned hippo- counting fun.

What happened to the 6 distressed hippos?!? 😄One of my LOs favorite books since 4 months. Husband and I are the only ones worried about the 6 hippos.

Perfect for a little one.

This has really encouraged my son (4) to count in English. It’s a fun book with a silly theme!

My toddler loves this book! Great to learn numbers!

So cute !

Great book, quick delivery

Bought this for my daughter - she's 13 months old and absolutely loves having this book read to her. The illustrations are wonderful, the story amusing (quite important for the sanity of the parent who has to read it over and over again - I have to admit, I now know it off by heart), and she especially likes the page where the hippos are partying away. I've also bought copies for friends' children, and they love it too - highly recommended.