Sharko and Hippo

by Elliott Kalan, Andrea Tsurumi (Illustrator)

Overview

With tongue-twisty wordplay and escalating absurdity, this is a fall-down-funny farce that will surprise and delight readers—from television comedy writer Elliott Kalan and acclaimed illustrator Andrea Tsurumi.

When Sharko calls for a boat, Hippo pulls out a goat.

He wants a pole, but Hippo gives him a pail.

And instead of bait, a beet and a boot!

Hippo’s coat pockets seem to have everything except what Sharko asks for!

Will their fishing trip ever get off the ground?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062791092
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	09/29/2020
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 11.70(h) x 3.60(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Elliott Kalan has written for the TV shows Mystery Science Theater 3000, The Who Was? Show, and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart as well as comic books like Spider-Man and the X-Men. He is the author of Horse Meets Dog and Sharko and Hippo. He lives with his wife and two sons in Los Angeles.

Andrea Tsurumi is the author-illustrator of Crab Cake and Accident! and the illustrator of Not Your Nest!, Girls Who Code, and the Kondo & Kezumi series. She lives in Philadelphia with her spouse and their small, serious dog. 

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Horse Meets Dog: “Horse Meets Dog is a sweet, wise, and genuinely ha-ha funny exploration of not just horse/dog relations (historically strained), but also of friendship and difference.”  - John Hodgman author of Vacationland
Praise for Horse Meets Dog: “A terrific picture book debut, moving the wonderfully narcissistic dialogue along quickly as these two huge—and hugely mistaken—egos battle it out.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Praise for Horse Meets Dog: "A wonderful read! You’ll never look at horses or dogs the same way again!” - Jon Stewart former host of The Daily Show
Praise for Horse Meets Dog: “Horse meets Dog! Kalan meets Miller! Two great teams—one SO-DARN-FUNNY book! Go get it!” - Laurie Keller
“Kalan’s comedic duo brings to mind the iconic team of Chico and Harpo Marx. Dialogue in speech bubbles drives the narrative seamlessly, coupled with Tsurumi’s genial cartoon art, which downplays Sharko’s teeth in favor of impressively emphatic eyebrows…. Kids will laugh along with each picture cue as the silliness endures down to the last reveal, which discloses Hippo’s secret motive behind the foolishness.” - Kirkus Reviews
“Well-oiled comedic dialogue by Kalan (Horse Meets Dog) starts with a bang as Sharko and silent sidekick Hippo ready themselves to fish…. Kalan and Tsurumi pay homage to humor that fights bossiness with anarchy—Hippo may look foolish, but it’s Sharko’s plans that are utterly, gleefully foiled.” - Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

2020-06-16
A shark’s plan to go fishing unravels when his friend simply provides the wrong equipment.

Introducing the pair as “bestest friends,” Sharko explains, “I do the talking, and Hippo does the carrying.” At the pier, Hippo wears a green jacket with a plethora of pockets that apparently contain everything they will need. “Hippo, launch the boat!” The absurdity begins. Hippo silently produces a goat and then a bag of oats, making quite the splash while astonishing Sharko. Recovering quickly, Sharko demands a pole, but Hippo takes out a banana peel, pail, plow, and pillow, all to Sharko’s increasing frustration. Instead of bait, out comes the boat, now uselessly bobbing in the water. The exasperated Sharko begins to question Hippo about the endlessly inappropriate substitutions and angrily declares, “What kind of friend are you? You never give me the thing I need!” A warm hug from Hippo soothes Sharko’s feelings as they leave the pier. Kalan’s comedic duo brings to mind the iconic team of Chico and Harpo Marx. Dialogue in speech bubbles drives the narrative seamlessly, coupled with Tsurumi’s genial cartoon art, which downplays Sharko’s teeth in favor of impressively emphatic eyebrows. Kids will laugh along with each picture cue as the silliness endures down to the last reveal, which discloses Hippo’s secret motive behind the foolishness.

Amid the laughter and ridiculousness, readers will be able to muse over Hippo’s altruistic wisdom. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews