Hippopposites

Coat, Janik.  (2012)  Hippopposites.  New York: Appleseed Books.  ISBN:  9781419701511

Hippopposites is a story board book that introduces opposites to children with paired hippos illustrations and one word to depict concept.

Hippopposites is a 2013 USBBY Outstanding International Book.It has appealing illustrations with the red hippo demonstrating opposites. The illustrations of the hippo showing opposites allows young children to reflect and explain the antonyms.

Janik Coat did an outstanding job using the red hippo that calls young children's attention to the lesson being taught. 

This book allows children to make connections with opposites with the hippo illustrations. The texture used to distinguish some opposites is appealing to children. My three year old daughter could not get enough of the hippo demonstrations and we kept going back to sections that appealed to her the most. I believe this book would be perfect for ESL students of any age to distinguish the difference in opposites using illustrations and one word vocabulary. 

Publishers Weekly:  "French illustrator Coat blends a quirky sensibility with a slick visual aesthetic in a fairly comprehensive book about opposites starring a red hippopotamus that has been pared down to a bell-shaped head, a blokish behind, and two dots for eyes.  The qualities and color of the hippo change to demonstrate antonyms like light and dark (the hippo is shown in pale yellow and black), thick and thin (its outline thickens), opaque and transparent, soft and rough (thanks to inset fur and burlap texture), and many more.  The stocky, blocky hippo is more of a template than a character, but it's an excellent (and fun) vehicle through which to demonstrate the concept.  Ages 1-4"

KIRKUS REVIEW: "A distinctive offering stands out in the crowded field of concept contenders. Opposite pairs (one to each spread) play themselves out against a hippo's silhouette,  The graphically simple animal, with two small dots for eyes and square-ish backside, demonstrate various ideas through perspective, color, texture and cut-outs, among others.  Small/large positions the hippo next to a skyscraper and a mite; soft/rough finds the animal's outline filled with fuzzy fabric and burlap.  Sophisticated use of positive and negative space creates some dazzling patterns that anticipate optical-illusion puzzles.  The term "dotted" places formidable red polka-dots all over the hippo, providing the only spatial definition against the white background, with "striped" doing the same on the next page.  Some abstract choices may not be clear enough for the young audience traditionally served by this format, though the large trim size and sturdy pages support repeat readings.  A few of the obscure choices  (opaque/transparent, positive/negative) will need both more context and time for a full understanding, making this book that will grow with its audience.  The hippo is the only lumbering element in this visually striking exploration."  (Board book.  2-5)

Parents may look for the following books for young children with texture and great illustrations to introduce concepts:

Carle, Eric.  MY FIRST BUSY BOOK.  ISBN:  9781481457910

Jackson, Richard.  HAVE A LOOK, SAYS BOOK.  ISBN:  9781481420158

Ward, Sarah.  OPPOSITES.  ISBN:  9780545797894