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Hop! Plop!
Hop! Plop! Boom! Bop! This day's fun will never stop! Mouse and Elephant know that the perfect remedy to a boring day is a trip to the playground. But it's a little tough to decide which playground ride is their favorite. With Elephant so Big, and Mouse so Small, each ride can be a bit of a challenge for the pair. The seesaw sends Mouse soaring. The swings are a total flop for Elephant. And the whirly-bird is just a bit too whirly for Mouse. It takes a little bit of trial and a whole lot of error before Mouse and Elephant discover what their favorite really is ― each other. A funny and charming look at friendship, with a simple and playful text that the youngest audiences will beg to hear over and over!
32 pages, Hardcover
First published April 4, 2006
1 person is currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Corey Rosen Schwartz
13 books166 followersCorey is the author of HOP! PLOP! (Walker, 2006), THE THREE NINJA PIGS (Putnam, 2012) GOLDI ROCKS AND THE THREE BEARS (Putnam, forthcoming) and NINJA RED (Putnam, forthcoming). Corey has no formal ninja training, but she sure can kick butt in Scrabble. She lives with three Knuckleheads in Warren, NJ.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 31, 2013
After reading The Three Ninja Pigs I transferred the only other book our public library has by the talented Corey Rosen Schwartz: Hop! Plop!. While Ninja Pigs appeals to children of all ages Hop! Plop! is a read best appreciated by smaller kiddos. My 7th grader and I shared this adorable story this morning and I ended up laughing until my stomach hurt from her response to the characters.
“I’m bored” – said mouse.
“Get a Job” – said my daughter.
“Me too” – sighed Elephant
“Get a Life” – said my daughter
Then she criticized their stupidity for not understanding the physics of a seesaw or that they should know to hold on to the whirlybird when it is quickly rotating. I love my kid. Long story short little kids will LOVE this humorous and sweet tale, older kids will mock it; either way it’s a worth the time to share and see how your children respond.
“I’m bored” – said mouse.
“Get a Job” – said my daughter.
“Me too” – sighed Elephant
“Get a Life” – said my daughter
Then she criticized their stupidity for not understanding the physics of a seesaw or that they should know to hold on to the whirlybird when it is quickly rotating. I love my kid. Long story short little kids will LOVE this humorous and sweet tale, older kids will mock it; either way it’s a worth the time to share and see how your children respond.
January 28, 2016
My twins got this book during the author's visit to their preschool. It was their FAVORITE book for a long time...and mine too! There's nothing better than a fun book, especially one with a message of friendship.
December 15, 2009
This is a terrific toddler picture book- fun sounds to read coupled with a great text-illustration interplay. This is one kids will want to examine on their own (several times over!) after a group read- and they'll take away something new each time.
January 19, 2013
Cute book about friends.
Nice sound effects to read aloud.
I think kids would really love it, plus it takes place at a playground!
Haiku Review:
Mouse and Elephant
At the playground, try it all
what will be the best?
Nice sound effects to read aloud.
I think kids would really love it, plus it takes place at a playground!
Haiku Review:
Mouse and Elephant
At the playground, try it all
what will be the best?
December 26, 2018
I love the connections to science in this simple story about a mouse and an elephant who cannot enjoy a playground in the same way as they are so different in size and weight. The simple joy of being friends is the winner in this story.
September 3, 2023
Mouse and Elephant are two friends who go to a playground together. They try a seesaw, but that doesn't work. They try swings, but that doesn't go well. They try the merry-go-round with disastrous results. Just when Mouse is ready to give up on the playground, Elephant thinks of an idea to salvage the day. Cute little book about two opposite friends.
September 3, 2023
Mouse and Elephant are very bored. They try the seesaw and the swings, but Elephant seems to be too heavy, and Mouse seems to be too light! How will they play? I found this book at a used book sale, and thought that it was super cute. Definitely a great one to add to your collection. Do you like picture books about animals? Follow @bronteandwilder on Instagram for more fun book recommendations!
March 10, 2020
Mouse and Elephant in a book with great early reader sound effects.
May 28, 2020
Kids always liked the noises and what happens next excitement of this book.
August 3, 2021
Made me lol
February 10, 2009
This book takes us on an adventure with polar opposites, Mouse and Elephant. Finding themselves bored, this duo of friends set out to explore the playground! The rhyming text as Mouse and Elephant explore the playground makes for a great introduction to word families and the concept of rhyming. Together, the two explore the seesaw. Elephant hops on and as a result of his weight, Mouse bops to the ground! Mouse tries to gain weight by eating a watermelon, but as a result of all the slurping, he begins burping! When the duo decides that the seesaw is faulty, they move on to the swing and another adventure begins!
I would use this book not only for a read-aloud, but also as an introduction at the Kindergarten or 1st grade level, depending on the students, to several different word families: -op, -urp, -unch, -ip, -ing, -ush, and -ide. The book also introduces the concept of weight difference between Mouse and Elephant and the consequences of the varying weights at the playground. For example, Mouse is stuck at the top of the seesaw, Elephant breaks the swing! Cause-and-effect could also be explored using this book!
I would use this book not only for a read-aloud, but also as an introduction at the Kindergarten or 1st grade level, depending on the students, to several different word families: -op, -urp, -unch, -ip, -ing, -ush, and -ide. The book also introduces the concept of weight difference between Mouse and Elephant and the consequences of the varying weights at the playground. For example, Mouse is stuck at the top of the seesaw, Elephant breaks the swing! Cause-and-effect could also be explored using this book!
June 21, 2010
A fun book, and cute. Sweet at the end, too. A little reminiscent of "Elephant & Piggie" books. But I'm back and forth as to which group to use it with. A normal toddler group would be fine, but I get the under 1 year in my group. Lots of them. And I think the book would be too long for their attention span. Plus, I don't think they would get the flow of action. Even the older toddlers might not. The preschool group would enjoy all of the actions and accompanying sounds. But would the book seem too juvenile for them? Must think on this.
September 17, 2014
Mouse and Elephant go to the playground for some fun. Everything seems to go wrong for them. They can't seesaw together. The swing breaks for Elephant and goes too fast for Mouse. Mouse wants to give up, but then Elephant makes a special slide for him using his trunk.
Good for preschool or toddler storytimes.
Good for preschool or toddler storytimes.
October 23, 2008
Great book for the 2-6 year old set. Fun story about friends helping friends and even introduces some physics young children. Illustrations are great too. The Eric Carle Institute listed it as a 2006 distinguished book of the year.
February 7, 2009
A cute book about what kids do (play at the park) with language kids love (rhymes)!
July 6, 2010
I love this book! A good friend trying to help his friend have a good time at the play ground. Very well written. "You're my favorite." Love it!
August 11, 2011
An enjoyable story about teamwork and friendship with warmly appealing illustrations. Highly recommended for any toddler or preschooler.
November 18, 2011
Fun easy read for younger students. shows great use of sound effects.
January 28, 2012
Such a cute picture book! A fun on the tongue book that little ones will want to hear over and over again. :)
March 6, 2012
A cute little kids' book I found while browsing at Office Depot of all places!
July 24, 2012
when Elephant and Mouse try to play together at a playground, things get a little difficult. Love all the use of onomatopoeia along with the end rhymes. Great rhythm as well.
July 8, 2012
Very cute friendship book... playground adaptation. Found I could partner with Elephant and Piggie quite well.
April 17, 2013
Great for explaining sound words.
February 11, 2014
Fun story of friends mouse and elephant going to the playground--especially the seesaw. The very young will understand the seesaw weight concept.
June 18, 2014
When Mouse and Elephant go to the playground together, it seems as if everything they try to play on together is broken, until they finally find the piece of equipment that is just right for them.
November 13, 2014
Cute story about an unlikely pair at the playground.
February 12, 2016
Cute book, I plan on using it for my upcoming Toddler Time.
April 29, 2016
I really liked the way this book plays up the obliviousness of the two characters in how mismatched they are and the problems that creates in using the equipment.
July 16, 2016
#Elephant and #Mouse are good #friends. Together they discover an unique way to #play.
September 4, 2025
okay. Not great.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews