Hop Helps Out, by Marc Brown, Tolon Brown, Peter K. Hirsch, Orchard Books, Feb. 4, 2025, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 4-8)
A frog and his friends help a young troll explore the world in Hop Helps Out, a new picture book from Marc Brown, the creator of Arthur.
Hop and his friends lived in Fair Village. It was a fine place to live and filled with adventures.
One fine morning, Hop and Benny meet a crying troll named Helga — she wants to see more of Fair Village but is worried about leaving her home beneath the bridge. As Hop helps out, Helga realizes the world is filled with many good things, especially when you have a friend by your side! —Synopsis provided by Orchard Books
Hop Helps Out is a companion book to the HBO Max TV show, Hop.
In his author note at the end of Hop Helps Out Marc Brown explains how Hop began — a doodle of a frog. And that frog, and the other characters, are as loveable as the ones kids fell in love with from Arthur. Marc and his team wanted to share “unfamiliar topics with kids that became teachable moments.” They wanted to create a safe, inviting world” for younger children “that challenges kids to appreciate others who are not like them and to act with understanding and kindness.”
Hop Helps Out is a sweet story that’s relatable and accessible. Kids will love the illustrations, especially the front and end pages featuring all the characters, and a map of Fair Village where they live. The book is a good bet for the preschool/kindergarten set.
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