A review of the book by Marianna Varfolomeeva

When I opened this book, I immediately felt like I was stepping into a warm, gentle adventure. Giga the Little Hippo is not just a children’s story — it’s a heartfelt journey filled with care, wonder, and simple, sincere magic.

The main character, a young hippo named Giga, lives peacefully on the banks of the Zambezi River. He loves to swim, bask in the sun, eat fresh grass — and, like many children, watch TV. One day, he sees a cartoon about a polar bear cub named Umka who invites everyone to come visit him. Without hesitation, Giga decides to set off — across deserts, seas, forests, and freezing cold — to make a new friend.

Each encounter along the way is like a little life lesson:

** a camel calf named Bani helps him survive the Sahara,

** dolphins save him from drowning in the Mediterranean,

** kind reindeer knit him a warm sweater and coat,

** and a young walrus named Zhozia carries him to Umka’s icy home.

This is a story about how the world will always have someone ready to help, as long as you walk through it with an open heart. The tale is simple, but that simplicity is its greatest strength. It’s about true friendship, curiosity, determination, and above all — kindness. Even if you’re a little hippo from Africa, you can find friends thousands of miles away — if you believe and keep going.

This is a book every child should read. It’s warm, sincere, and filled with joy. No preachiness, no forced lessons — just kindness, imagination, and a touch of magic.

I wish there were more stories like this.
Simple. Honest. Beautiful.
Giga the Little Hippo is a tale that truly makes the world a little brighter.