Listen, Hippo!
When Billy is feeling sad, he wishes he had someone to talk to. He thinks what he needs is someone to listen . . . but his best friend, Hippo, believes he knows exactly what Billy needs!
Playing dress-ups will cheer Billy up, and dancing in the cherry blossoms, or maybe a pirate adventure?
No? Then how about a magic carpet race?
What fun!
Ready, set, GO!
Longlisted in the CBCA Picture Book of the Year Award 2025
Shortlisted in the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award 2025.
A wise and beautiful picture book that explores with gentle warmth and humour the nature of feelings and the importance of being heard.
Victoria Premier’s Literary Award 2025
Shortlisted in Children’s Literature
Judges’ notes: “Listen, Hippo! envelopes the reader in classic visual poetics that soothe and carefully knit a message that swaddles the reader with courage and encouragement to talk about feelings. […] The beauty of this book is its awareness that a picture book is not just an experience for children but is also for adults experiencing the story with young people.”
Read the full report here.
Glam Adelaide
Five Stars ★★★★★
“A timely story for our fast-paced world, that might encourage us to just stop and listen.”
ReadPlus
“An easily absorbed tale about feeling sad will touch many kids’ hearts as they recall times they have felt sad and simply needed a friendly hug and someone to listen.”
Gleebooks
“A beautiful story about friendship that is accompanied by Gabriel’s signature whimsical style.”
Storylinks
“Gloriously illustrated, often just using black, white and yellow this gentle story is both funny and heart-warming.”
School Days Magazine
“This story clearly and gently demonstrates that a younger child who is worried or troubled about something just really needs someone to listen to them.”
Publisher: Puffin / Penguin Australia
ISBN: 9781761341700
Published: 30 April 2024
Format: Hardback
Gabriel Evans 