Read, Write, Repeat.

Every child had gotten the hiccups at least once.

But chances are they’ve never gotten as persistent a case as the purple hippo in Aaron Zenz’s picture book The Hiccupotamus (Marshall Cavendish Children’s Books/Pinwheel Books, 2009).

The hippo’s problem is quickly identified in the first stanza:

There was a hippopotamus
Who hiccupped quite-a-lotamus
And every time he got’emus
He’d fall upon his bottomus.

The other animals try to help. They spin him around, have him breath into a paper bag while tied to a buffalo, scare him, give him vinegar and tickle his chin. But the hics continue. And then, for no apparent reason, they stop.

But that’s not the end of the fun.

Danny, today’s guest reviewer, admits he’s had the hiccups. But they’ve never turned into a big deal. “I just drink a glass of water, and they go away,” he says.

Take it away, Danny!

Today’s reviewer: Danny

Age: 8

I like: Playing baseball and football.

This book was about: A hippo who gets the hiccups.

The best part was when: The animals tied the hippo to the buffalo upside down.

I laughed when: The buffalo hit his head on the ground.

I was worred that: All the other animals would get the hiccups and the hippo would be cured, and that’s what happened.

Three words that describe this book are: “Weird.” “Funny.” “Hysterical.”

My favorite line or phrase is: “She chased him toward the centipede, pouring new cementipede.”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: All the “Hics” in the pictures.

Aaron Zenz has illustrated several picture books and easy readers. To learn more about his work, visit his website.

You also should visit his blog, Bookie Wookie. Why? Zenz has a collection of more than 3,000 picture books and he and his three children review them regularly. The reviews are conducted as an interview between Zenz and his kids and, trust me, they’re a delightful bunch. Then, the kids draw artwork inspired by the book which is adorable and admirable.

Got any good hiccup stories? Leave a comment!

During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, many people wish they could lean back, relax and just do nothing.

If you’re looking for some pointers and a chuckle or two along the way, check out Let’s Do Nothing, the debut picture book by author and illustrator Tony Fucile.

It tells the story of Frankie and Sal, two active boys who take up the challenge to do nothing — and find it’s a lot harder than they initially think.

They’d be as still as the statues in the park, if it weren’t for the pigeons.

They’d be as solid as giant Redwood trees if it weren’t for wandering dogs with … um … business to conduct.

And they’d be as silent as the Empire State Building itself if it weren’t for an oversized gorilla that isn’t afraid of heights.

Learn more about this book from today’s guest reviewer, Danny.

Guest reviewer: Danny

Age: 8

The book: Let’s Do Nothing by Tony Fucile (Candlewick Press, 2009)

I like: Playing baseball, making up games and playing with my Star Wars clones.

This book was about: How Frankie and Sal do nothing. Or at least try to.

The best part was when: Frankie and Sal were pretending the be the Empire State Building and King Kong climbed up and stole Frankie’s glasses.

I laughed when: The dog peed on Frankie when he was trying to be a Redwood tree.

I was surprised that: They tried to be the Empire State Building, because it’s so big and heavy and stuff.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The dog peeing on the tree.

Three words that best describe this book are: Funny, fun and cool.

This book taught me: You can never do nothing. No matter how hard you try. Even breathing is something.

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: When Sal asks Frankie what he’s doing and Frankie says, “Shooing pigeons!”

Thanks, Danny!

What makes this book so funny is the perfect interplay between the words and the photos. All kids have to do is see the dog approaching the tree or the ape’s hand inching up the Empire State Building, and they dissolve into giggles.

If you want to get a sneak peek at the book, check out this book trailer on YouTube.

Tony Fucile had a lot of fun creating this book. Here, he talks about the process. And here’s a link to his Web site.