About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is struggling with the 'it is mine' phase or when they have excluded a friend from a game. It provides a non-judgmental way to talk about the natural consequences of being territorial or selfish without being overly preachy. Chubbo is a large, grumpy hippo who believes his watering hole is his exclusive property. As the African sun beats down, he aggressively chases away thirsty animals, only to realize that his victory is a lonely one. Aimed at children aged 4 to 8, this story uses humor and animal archetypes to show that the joy of a resource is multiplied when it is shared with a community. It is a perfect choice for modeling how to change one's mind and apologize after making a mistake.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book is entirely secular and metaphorical. It deals with social exclusion and resource guarding. There are no heavy topics like death or trauma, making it a safe, gentle read for preschool and early elementary classrooms.
