RUSS THE HIPPOPOTAMUS | Free Children Book
Nov 27, 2025
Introducing Russ, a creative and adventurous hippopotamus eager to share insights about his natural habitat! Through engaging narratives and fascinating facts, Russ offers an enjoyable learning experience that highlights the unique characteristics of hippos. Prepare to explore his environment and gain a deeper understanding of what makes these magnificent creatures special, all while appreciating a hint of humour throughout the journey!
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Hi! I'm Russ the Hippopotamus... and do I have a story for you.
What's that? You don't know what a Hippopotamus is?
Well, let me tell you.
But, before I tell you about myself, you just might have to use some of that great imagination of yours.
You may have to close your eyes and picture me in your mind.
Pretending is fun, and easy, so let's get started.
Yes... Imagine you are in a faraway place.
It is very warm and very sunny.
The sky is usually clear, with no clouds, and a big, bright sun.
The sun seems so big you could almost reach out and touch it.
There are different tall grasses and other plants that grow in the wetlands.
There are many different birds, short scruffy trees and bushes, and lots of animals like crocodiles and African buffalo.
Of course, there is a big, wide river.
Actually, I am a Nile Hippopotamus from an area of the World called sub-Saharan Africa.
Now if you look carefully at the river, you will see a big rock sticking up just above the water’s surface.
Oh, you can't see it yet. Then walk a little closer to the river. Yah, that's it! Whoa! Whoa! Watch out for that Crocodile.
You don't want to step on him.
He gets a little grumpy when he is relaxing in the sun and gets disturbed.
That's better, walk around him, and take a good look next to that rock.
Yep! That's me. Russ the Hippopotamus.
Now if you look closely you will see my little ears, squinty eyes, and big nose.
Actually, you are only looking at the top of my head because the rest of me (and I mean the REST of me) is underwater.
You see, I like being in the water because I am really B-I-G big!
And being in the water helps me feel lighter and keeps me cool.
I can also come out of the river and walk around on the ground.
Usually I spend the days in the river (or sometimes a lake or pond) and the nights on the land, eating.
I guess I am lucky because I am at home in the water or on the land.
You know, maybe I should just come out of the river and meet you.
I'll do it slowly so you can see me a little at a time.
I'm big and I don't want to frighten you.
Just give me a second to swim over to the shallow part of the river so I can start walking out. Ah… That's better, here I come.
Well, how do you like me?
Go ahead, walk around me and take a good look.
You can see that I am bulky and my body is barrel-shaped.
My neck is short, I have big head, and my legs are like small tree trunks.
All-in-all: a pretty handsome character!
I see you noticed that I have thick skin and almost no hair.
Actually, I only have hair (or bristles) on my nose, ears, and tail.
Some people actually think I look like a very land pig.
What do you think?
We Hippos come in different colours from brown to greyish purple, but I am grey except for my under-parts like my tummy, under my chin, and of course between all the wrinkles in my elephant-like skin.
That's where I am pink.
Well, it took you a while to walk around me, didn't it?
Yep, I am 15 feet long, about 5 feet high, and I weigh about 8,000 pounds.
I'm big. I'm bulky... But up here on the land I can gallop at about 30 miles per hour.
That's fast!
In the water, I can swim with ease. Just like my first cousin, the whale.
Yep... I can even walk or gallop on the bottom of the river, and that's something he can't do.
I can hold my breath for five minutes and even sleep underwater...
I'm an A.T.M. that's an All-Terrain Mammal.... Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha.
Oh. I see we are face-to-face now.
You can see that my ears, eyes, and nostrils are on top of this big old head.
That's so I can be comfortable in the water with just a little bit of me sticking out.
Remember that rock?
Ah, I can see you are curious about these big, wrap around, lips that probably remind you of the bumpers on the family car.
They're big because I have a big mouth.
Here, I'll show you, back up a bit and check this out.
BIGuh... phue could walkph hright hin how phabout those teeph.
Oh sorry... Just like you shouldn't talk with something in your mouth.
I shouldn't try to talk with mine open.
It's big, huh?
Why you could almost walk right in.
And how about those teeth?
They are great for mashing up the vegetation (grass and plants) that I eat, and the two real long teeth (called incisors) are my only real defence against something that wants to hurt me.
What's the matter?
You look like something is wrong.
Oh, I know what's wrong.
It's getting warm, and I’m starting to sweat.
Well, thanks for caring but I am not hurt. That red stuff on my skin is a good thing.
You see, I spend most of my life in the bright sun, and just like you, I get sunburned.
You put on suntan lotion and sunscreen so you don't burn.
We Hippos have it built in.
As we sweat, this red liquid comes out and covers our skin, that way we don't get sunburned.
It also has a medicine in it to help heal all the little cuts and scratches we get on these big old bodies.
Speaking of "old," us Hippos live about 45 years out here in the wild.
And if we are brought to a Zoo, we can even live a little longer.
The grunting sound we make, and the way we look, make everyone think we're related to pigs, but we aren't related at all.
You look like you have a question.
Yes, that's right. Earlier I said my first cousin was the whale, and that is a fact.
Whales and Hippopotami are very close relatives.
I don't understand why, but I am proud to have the wonderful whale as my cousin.
Wouldn't you be proud too?
There is one thing that makes me, Russ the Hippopotamus, different from all the others.
I like to sing and even dance a little.
Now, I am serious, don't laugh.
I am very good but almost never get a chance to show off a little.
Sometimes I wish I were living in a Zoo, where I could sing to an audience every day, maybe even become a star.
I can hear it now.... Introducing Russ the Singing Hippopotamus.
Yep, that would be nice but I live in the wild, and I guess just grunting with my friends will have to do.
Isn't imagination wonderful?
It's been a great visit, and I hope, when you see a hippopotamus in a zoo (or maybe even in the wild), you remember me.
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