Hippo Inspires Readers to Stand Up to Bullies and Find Their Herd

The Hippo Who Hated to Fight by Milt Lowe

"'The Hippo Who Hated to Fight' shines as a celebration of love and acceptance and reassures readers that they are not alone."

Bullying — it’s a difficult but necessary topic of discussion in children’s books. We don’t like to think about it, but the fact is that bullying is a reality that many young children face. When it comes to prevention, the first tactic is to teach children kindness and compassion. But what do we say to kids who are already dealing with bullies? How can we reassure them that brighter days are ahead?

Milt Lowe — author of My Ant Mary, Milo and the Big Yawn, and Wow Bow, the Dog Who Barked Backwards — has an answer in his latest children’s book, The Hippo Who Hated to Fight, which was recently recognized with a Literary Titan Gold Book award. This book, illustrated by Stephen Bibb, tells the touching story of Kuno, a hippo who has trouble fitting in with his herd. The other hippos are rowdy and fierce, especially Kuno’s four brothers. But while the rest of his family is happy to participate in these violent brawls, Kuno isn’t interested. He finds the fighting unnecessary and brutal — in his words, it “just isn’t right.”

This decision doesn’t fly with the rest of the herd, however. Kuno’s brothers mock him, calling him names and making him feel small and unwanted. At a loss, Kuno decides to take a long walk so that he can think in peace. As he wrestles with his thoughts, he wanders further and further from his family until he stumbles into a herd of elephants. The leader, a wise elephant named Zema, takes Kuno into her care and offers to let him travel with them as they search for water.

Kuno is elated to have found a friendly face in all his wandering. As the herd travels, Kuno tells Zema about his troubles — about how he doesn’t fight alongside his brothers and how he feels unwanted by his own family. Zema is happy to lend an ear and reassure her new friend. However, as Kuno spends more and more time with the herd, it soon becomes clear that he’s found a group of kindred spirits. When Zema asks if he’d like to be considered “an honorary elephant” and join the herd, Kuno is thrilled! Just like that, the herd has grown by one member, and Kuno is content that at last, he’s found a place where he truly belongs.

Subtle, Scientific and Sensitive

Milt Lowe doesn’t shy away from the emotional poignancy of the story or the very real message of within as it pertains to the real world. In the book’s dedication, he includes this note: “to every kid who has ever been bullied, teased or tormented but remained brave and strong till they finally found their herd.” The note makes the story of Kuno and Zema all the more moving. Readers are sure to feel the strong friendship between these two characters and the bond they forge through their travels.

The story doesn’t rely entirely on the weighty subject of bullying, however. Along with its important moral lessons, The Hippo Who Hated to Fight weaves scientific information seamlessly throughout. Facts about elephants and hippos are sprinkled into the prose, like how Zema sleeps standing up, or how Kuno can’t swim so he has to walk along the bottom of the river while holding his breath. The result is a story that captures the rich biodiversity of South Africa, adding to the fabric of the narrative.

Young readers, drawn in by the science behind the animals and the engaging story, will absorb a vital lesson about both friendship and healing from bullying. Kuno and Zema make it clear that the people in your life should love you how you are, not mold you into something you’re not. The Hippo Who Hated to Fight shines as a celebration of love and acceptance and reassures readers that they are not alone.