Filippo
Filippo is a unique little hippopotamus who stands out from the rest. Initially misunderstood, he is eventually embraced and admired for his differences. This educational project for kids aged 6 to 8 makes reading enjoyable. A soft color palette and simple visuals keep things light and engaging.
Date
December 2024
Role
Illustration
When the baby hippos were born, they crawled along the sandy riverbank, learning to walk on all fours. But not Filippo. From the very start, he stood tall on two legs. As he grew, he saw things no other hippo could.
“I can see beyond the bushes!” he exclaimed.
“And what good is that?” the others scoffed.
“I can spot fish from above!”
“So what?”
“I can reach fruit with just one arm!”
“You’re just strange,” they said, shaking their heads.
Filippo felt out of place.
Hurt, Filippo wandered off and met a monkey. “I can stand up tall!” he said.
The monkey laughed. “I can stand on my head and hang by my tail!”
“Can I learn that?” Filippo asked.
“Of course!” said the monkey. With practice—and a little help—Filippo soon flipped, balanced, and swung like never before.
“I can stand on two legs and see far!” Filippo said proudly.
“I can stand on my head and hang by my tail!” the monkey grinned.
Filippo’s eyes widened. “Can I learn that?”
“Of course! With some practice and a little help,” the monkey replied.
Back at the river, Filippo beamed. “Watch this!” He flipped onto his head.
The hippos stared. “And so?”
He swung by his tail.
They yawned. “And so?”
Filippo’s heart sank. No one was impressed.
Disappointed, Filippo turned to leave. But as he glanced back, he saw something unexpected—his fellow hippos rolling and wobbling, trying to stand on their heads and swing by their tails!
Filippo grinned. Life on the riverbank would never be the same again.
