Hippopposites (A Grammar Zoo Book)

by Janik Coat

Overview

Behold: an opposites book like no other. Simple pairings of words, both expected (small/large) and unexpected (clear/blurry), are humorously illustrated with a graphic and lovable red hippopotamus. Bold colors and surprising die-cuts and textures spice up this elegantly engaging board book.

Praise for Hippopposites
"Nicely done and a perfect gift, your favorite little one will love this book."
—KIWI Magazine

"This is a marvelous introduction to linguistic nuance for the very young."
—The Wall Street Journal

"A distinctive offering stands out in the crowded field of concept contenders."
—Kirkus Reviews

STARRED REVIEW
"French illustrator Coat blends a quirky sensibility with a slick visual aesthetic...it’s an excellent (and fun) vehicle through which to demonstrate the concept."
—Publishers Weekly, starred review

Award
2013 ALA/ALSC Notable Book
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781419701511
Publisher:	Abrams Appleseed
Publication date:	05/01/2012
Series:	A Grammar Zoo Book
Pages:	36
Sales rank:	44,760
Product dimensions:	7.90(w) x 8.70(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	2 - 4 Years

About the Author

Janik Coat is an author, illustrator, and graphic designer. She works extensively with agencies, collectives, and a number of prestigious French publishers. She is a frequent guest speaker at fine art schools and regularly exhibits her work in galleries. She currently resides in Paris, France.

Editorial Reviews

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 blockish 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 textures), 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. (May)

Publishers Weekly

PreS—A bright red hippo is set against a stark white background on each page in this book of opposites. Coat displays the relative nature of opposites by showing that the hippo can be both small and large depending on what it is compared to. Concepts include squared and rounded, invisible and visible, in front and behind, and even include tactile elements for soft and rough. The clean design of this oversize board book takes a seemingly simple subject and gives it complexity. Some of the examples may be a bit abstract for preschoolers, but overall this is an interesting spin on an everyday subject that is worthy of a look.—Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ

School Library Journal

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 a square-ish backside, demonstrates 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 a book that will grow with its audience. The hippo is the only lumbering element in this visually striking exploration. (Board book. 2-5)

Kirkus Reviews

…the book goes beyond the obvious pairings, and the illustrations are superlative in concept and execution.
—The New York Times

Pamela Paul