Duck, Hippo, and three friends celebrate the end of summer with a picnic.Turtle, Elephant, Pig, and Duck have all brought something to share—but Hippo forgot. Determined to have something to share, he sets off to pick the last sweet berries of the season. When he doesn't return after a short time, the others worry he is lost and go looking for him. By then it is so dark they resort to calling for him, but at first he doesn't answer. And when he does, it sounds like a cry for help! Finally the moon comes out, and there is Hippo, safe and sound, with five berries under his hat to share. The bright, cheery illustrations have a buoyant, cartoon style that animates the story. Hippo is jauntily dressed in a seersucker jacket, red bow tie, and hat; Elephant wears a madras shirt and shorts with suspenders; Pig wears a blue-and-white-striped dress; Duck has a red coat and carries a yellow polka-dot umbrella; and Turtle sports an orange cap. Playful type and wordplay add to the amusement. Children are unlikely to feel any anxiety as these friends bumble along in the dark, so calm and good-hearted is the story. Friendship stories are plentiful, and outdoor adventures are not unusual, but this lively lark is a picnic basket full of fun. This agreeable tale is the second Duck and Hippo story; more would be welcome. (Picture book. 4-7)

PreS-Gr 1Hippo and Duck begin another adventure with just as much action as in the first series installment. The pair have decided to celebrate the end of summer with a picnic gathering of their friends Turtle, Elephant, and Pig. Duck grabs the basket of treats and skips and dances all the way to the pond. Their animal friends have arrived and are unloading their goodies when Hippo stops the celebration because he's realized something terrible. He didn't bring anything to share with the others. Upset, he decides to head into the woods and gather the last berries of summer. Turtle, Elephant, Pig, and Duck begin to worry after Hippo is gone for a long time, and decide to look for him. This leads to a lost and found adventure with repetition that will engage children during read-alouds. The hunt ends on a sweet note, and readers will be smiling along with the characters as they finally have a moonlit picnic and party. The font and style of the words match the feelings and expressions of the cast of characters. VERDICT A fun read-aloud for libraries where the first installment is popular, and a satisfying choice for readers of Arnold Lobel's "Frog and Toad."Meghan Oppelt, Whitehall School District, WI