Description

Based on a true incident, this is the story of how Budapest’s famous hippos are saved during  the coldest winter of World War II.  With German troops on one side of the Danube River dividing the twin cities of Buda and Pest, and Russian troops on the other, the people were starving, as were the animals in the zoo.  But Hungary’s hippos, who flourished in the warm waters that flowed from the springs in Budapest, were fed nine thousand straw slippers, doormats, and hats, donated by the people of Budapest. The hippos survived the winter, and the war.

Pictures

This is Barbara Knutson’s illustration in the book – I sent her the picture I had taken on the day I visited the hippos! Look at that mouth!

Reviews

"…a warm period picture of family and city, authentically portrayed in Knutson's adroitly sketched pencil and watercolor art."
- TKTK

"…a wonderful story that reveals the finer side of human nature…a great springboard to discussion of the realities of war and the human spirit."

Excerpts

Picture of the Manuscript