Hot Hippo: An African Animal Tale

HOT HIPPO is a classic African folktale set in the vast plains of Kenya. It is retold by Mwenye Hadithi, with vibrant, evocative illustrations by Adrienne Kennaway. In this timeless tale, a weary hippo longs for relief from the scorching sun and dreams of living in the cool waters of the river. Determined, he appeals to Ngai, the mighty god of Everything and Everywhere, for permission to dwell there. Ngai agrees, on two important conditions: Hippo must never eat the fish that swim in the rivers, and he must return to the land each night to graze on grass.

The story playfully explains why hippos spend their days in the water, emerge only after dark, and open their mouths wide in a promise kept since the beginning of time. Kennaway's luminous watercolours bring the landscapes and animals of Africa to life, capturing both the humour and the majesty of the tale.

Part of the African Animal Tales series, HOT HIPPO blends folklore, gentle moral lessons, and striking artwork to share Africa's rich storytelling traditions with young readers around the world. Perfect for reading aloud, classroom use, or bedtime, this beloved story has been delighting children and adults for nearly four decades.

Mwenye Hadithi is the pen name of Bruce Hobson, a Kenyan-born author with a lifelong love of Africa - its wildlife, landscapes, and rich tradition of folklore. Through his acclaimed African Animal Tales series, Mwenye Hadithi introduced timeless fables from East Africa to readers around the world, blending humour, moral lessons, and an authentic storytelling voice.His much-loved tales began as bedtime stories for his daughter and her friends, evolving into a collection of picture books that have become modern classics of children's literature, read in homes, schools, and libraries worldwide. Known for his mischievous character, and flair for entertaining with magic tricks, impressions, and tall tales, Hobson captured the spirit of the oral traditions he so admired. His pseudonym, Mwenye Hadithi, meaning "storyteller" in Swahili, honours the generations of African narrators who came before him, and those who will follow.Beyond his literary work, Hobson was dedicated to horticulture, wildlife and conservation, with close ties to the Born Free Foundation, reflecting his lifelong respect for animals and the natural world.

Adrienne Kennaway is an award-winning illustrator celebrated for her vibrant and expressive watercolours. Born in New Zealand and raised in Kenya, she studied art in London and Rome, and has travelled all over the world. She has always loved nature and animals, and brings first-hand knowledge of African landscapes and wildlife to her art. Her work on the African Animal Tales series earned widespread acclaim for capturing the character and humour of the stories while authentically portraying African animals and Kenyan settings with enticing detail. Her understanding of colour and movement helps bring Mwenye Hadithi's vibrant stories to visual life.