A Hippopotamus Needs Braces

Danny by Yann and Gwendal Le Bec

Publisher: Nobrow Ltd / Flying Eye Books

Publish Date: April 14, 2015

$14.95

Hardcover, 40 pages

Color Illustrations Throughout

Juvenile Fiction / Animals

Ages 3 to 7; Grades P to 2

ISBN-10: 1909263427

ISBN-13: 978-1909263420

Danny is a potbellied hippopotamus who lives in a swampy marsh. Upon getting his teeth cleaned by the local swamp fish, he learns that he can fix the gap between his teeth by going to the dentist. Leaving his swampy marsh, Danny travels to the city to find the dentist who insists on giving Danny braces. Showing off his new braces to the local swamp animals, Danny makes a reptile envious. The reptile goes to see the dentist himself, which doesn't end well for the dentist. 

I find the age group that is recommended for this book to be off. The author uses words like meticulous and aghast, which I find hard to believe that kids ages 3 to 7 would understand. I also think that the way some parts of the story are told it's a little long winded for kids with short attention spans. While reading this to my daughters who are 2,4, and 10, my two younger daughters lost interest really quickly but my eldest daughter's words were "this book should be directed for my age group." She found the ending quite comical.

The illustrations in the book, which were done by Yann Le Bec, are a perfect match for the story's scenes. They gave the right amount of detail for each of the scenes that were needed to visibly show the audience what was happening.
I recommend this book to kids ages 10 and up, who would get the most out of the story's pace and comical ending.
I received this book from edelweiss for this honest review. All opinions are my own (and my daughters).

~Jamie Crosby~