SHARKO AND HIPPO

A shark’s plan to go fishing unravels when his friend simply provides the wrong equipment.

Introducing the pair as “bestest friends,” Sharko explains, “I do the talking, and Hippo does the carrying.” At the pier, Hippo wears a green jacket with a plethora of pockets that apparently contain everything they will need. “Hippo, launch the boat!” The absurdity begins. Hippo silently produces a goat and then a bag of oats, making quite the splash while astonishing Sharko. Recovering quickly, Sharko demands a pole, but Hippo takes out a banana peel, pail, plow, and pillow, all to Sharko’s increasing frustration. Instead of bait, out comes the boat, now uselessly bobbing in the water. The exasperated Sharko begins to question Hippo about the endlessly inappropriate substitutions and angrily declares, “What kind of friend are you? You never give me the thing I need!” A warm hug from Hippo soothes Sharko’s feelings as they leave the pier. Kalan’s comedic duo brings to mind the iconic team of Chico and Harpo Marx. Dialogue in speech bubbles drives the narrative seamlessly, coupled with Tsurumi’s genial cartoon art, which downplays Sharko’s teeth in favor of impressively emphatic eyebrows. Kids will laugh along with each picture cue as the silliness endures down to the last reveal, which discloses Hippo’s secret motive behind the foolishness.

Amid the laughter and ridiculousness, readers will be able to muse over Hippo’s altruistic wisdom.