I Am Not a Copycat!

Hugo and Bella #2

by Ann Bonwill

Hugo is getting ready before he sets out to practise his water ballet routine at the local swimming pool. Bella, annoyingly, is copying everything he does. She even picks out the same outfit as Hugo-hat, goggles, water wings, flippers and gingham costume. Hrmph! Bella continues to copy Hugo once they're in the water, adding to his infuriation. But then a poolside bird and hippo rush to take a photo of Hugo and Bella's fabulous routine, swimming in perfect harmony. And the copying that caused all the friction is now something to be proud of! Hugo and Bella head straight for the ice-cream parlour to celebrate but will they choose the same flavour or will they both want something different?With wonderfully quirky illustrations from new talent Simon Rickerty and a great read-aloud text, this is a made-for-sharing picture book.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Animals, Humor, Birds, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book to my nephew and he loved it. The colors are bright and they show what good illustrations are all about. It leaves a message that sometime we want to be like others who are close to us, but we might also have a talent. Hugo did not like that Bella wanted to be like him, but soon their kills unite.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

This is especially fun to read with two people doing the different characters, otherwise you have to make sure to do voices to distinguish them.

[Viv · Rating 4 out of 5]

All children go through the phase of either they are copying someone they like or they are being copied by someone they are closed to, be it a friend from preschool/kindergarten, or their sibling(s). It usually ends with a drama of the one being copied gets upset at the one who's copying him/her. I can still recall vividly of my nephew's tears when he got so upset about his little sister kept on copying him on everything he did (she even wanted to wear his underpants...(-__-))

This would be a good book to help both children to get through that phase. It will save the parents from the screaming hell, too.

I am adding this book to the parenting shelf. I can see some parents finding this book helpful...

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has been said that emulating someone is the highest compliment possible, but when you want to be considered unique, having someone copy your every move can be annoying--even if the copycat is a friend. That's the case for Hugo the hippo. As he practices his moves for water ballet, Bella the bird somehow manages to copy them. As Hugo becomes increasingly annoyed, the two come to the attention of others at the pool who compliment their synchronized swimming. In the end, Bella is the one who decides to try something different, even if it is only a new ice cream flavor. The story and digital illustrations are both appealing and useful for a quick read-aloud. I smiled as I watched Bella's moves that emulated Hugo's.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hugo the hippo is getting ready for his water ballet. Hugo is proud of his uniqueness but he irked today because Bella the bird keep copying him--even during his water ballet. She's ruining everything! Or is she? Together they make an amazing synchronized water ballet team that's truly unique.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hugo the Hippo considers himself one of a kind, and Bella the Bird agrees as she does everything that Hugo does as he is preparing for his water ballet. Hugo tells Bella that she is a copy cat, and Bella informs Hugo that she's a copy bird. During the water ballet, Hugo, and Bella are well received, and make a big splash.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hugo the hippo likes being unique, and is going to practice water ballet at the pool. Bella the bird wants to be unique like Hugo, so she copies everything Hugo does, including his water ballet moves. Clever ending, and all ends well.

[Riley Sorem · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this book, the characters are sweet an genuine and it teaches a simple lesson, that someone may be doing the same thing as you and it still makes you unique. Sometimes you have to work as a team. However, I found the text a little hard to follow.

[Mary Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A supercute book that lets children know that sometimes, imitation really IS the best type of flattery there could be1

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

When is copying flattering? When is it just annoying?

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would be fun to read at storytime with another librarian, similar to Elephant and Piggie.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like how this book injected a couple of tougher words into the text, like "synchronized". The illustrations are fun but overall nothing spectacular here.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

They say imitation is the best form of flattery... Hugo Hippo and Bella bird remind us that copying somethings can be a good thing!

[Jodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hugo the Hippo thinks that Bella the bird is being a copycat. He finds out that they actually make a good team.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute