Happy Hippo, Angry Duck

Bestselling author Sandra Boynton’s board book tackles the concept of moods with her charming, trademark sense of humor.

Clever animals exemplify a wide range of emotions in this hilarious story about different feelings. Young readers are sure to giggle as interactive text asks them if they are grumpy as a moose or excited as a dog? Maybe they're worried as a rabbit or contented as a frog?

Are you HAPPY AS A HIPPO?
Or ANGRY AS A DUCK?
Maybe SAD AS A CHICKEN?
(Can you sadly say “CLUCK CLUCK”?)

Sandra Boynton is a popular American cartoonist, children’s author, songwriter, producer, and director. Since 1974, Boynton has written and illustrated over eighty-five children’s books and seven general audience books, including five New York Times bestsellers. More than 90 million of her books have been sold, “mostly to friends and family,” she says. She has also written (with Michael Ford) and produced seven albums of renegade children’s music. Three of her seven albums have been certified Gold (over 500,000 copies sold) and Philadelphia Chickens, nominated for a Grammy, has been certified Platinum (over 1 million copies sold). Boynton has also directed many music videos of her songs, including the award-winning “One Shoe Blues” starring B.B. King, “Alligator Stroll” starring Josh Turner, and “Tyrannosaurus Funk” (animated) sung by Samuel L. Jackson. She lives in rural New England, and her studio is in a barn with perhaps the only hippopotamus weathervane in America.

ISBN: 9781442417311
Format: Board book
Pages: 16
Publisher: Boynton Bookworks
Published: May 24, 2011

* “With her familiar brand of gentle absurdity, Boynton creates similes that ascribe moods to various animals. ‘Hello, Little Person! How are you today?’ greets a concerned-looking bear. Part of the book’s pleasure is that Boynton doesn’t rely on clichéd animal personifications: ‘Are you happy as a hippo? Or angry as a duck? Maybe sad as a chicken? (‘Can you sadly say, “Cluck Cluck?”)’ After the characters tell readers, ‘Well, I hope you are happy. But if you are not, you have friends who will help you. We like you a lot,’ even kids in the stoniest of moods will feel the effect of this pick-me-up.”* “Emotional labeling—now that's an angry duck!—adds to the exuberant charm in this wacky animal roundup…Boynton’s signature style gives zany animation to her trademark cartoon characters (dog, rabbit and moose, for starters). Facial expression undergoes minor adjustments to convey depth, through slight spacing between the eyes or the angled slant of the nose. Springy rhythmic phrases engage the audience…Guaranteed to knock the bad mood out of anyone, duck included.”