Behaviour Matters: Hippo Owns Up - A book about telling the truth
Sue Graves, Trevor Dunton
This funny, charming story is the perfect way to introduce young children to what honesty is, and help them understand the importance of owning up to your mistakes. Also included are suggestions for activities and ideas to talk through together to help children fully understand how their behaviour can impact on others.
Hippo is having a bad day. It all started when he missed his breakfast. He can’t concentrate in class and his tummy won’t stop rumbling. And when he sees Mrs Croc’s special chocolate cake, he can’t resist. Now somebody else is getting the blame for eating it. Will Hippo do the right thing and tell the truth and make amends for what he’s done?
The Behaviour Matters series of picture books provide a gentle means of discussing emotions, boosting self-esteem and reinforcing good behaviour. Supports the Personal, Social and Emotional Development Area of Learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage, and is also suitable for use with children in KS1 and can be used to discuss values. Suitable for children under 5.
Reviews

Loved the chocolate cake
Sergeant River Pumpernickel 01.01.2025

Good
Sir Pug Teabag 16.07.2024

It’s wrong to lie, two wrongs don’t make a right. I’m glad he told the truth. He was very greedy.
Anonymous 29.08.2023

I like hippo because he managed to own the truth that he ate the chocolate cake. I would recommend this book to people who needs help to own up the truth.
Sergeant Jiminy Heronimus 01.08.2023

Star Reviewer

I liked it when hippo told the truth it is good to tell the truth.
Lord Trigger Mouse 28.07.2023

Too funny because his tummy rumbles. I liked elephant the best . I won't recommend the book because everyone is making laughter and doing it on him where it's two bad stuff.
Professor Chip Biscuits 03.09.2022

Hippo owned up and he was brave. And he put things right
Empress Jet Slingshot 31.08.2022

Hippo ate all the cake but he told the truth in the end
Mademoiselle Flossy Bouncy-castle 27.08.2022

He ate the cake that was for lunch and did not tell the truth but in the end he did
Count Crocodile Piano-key 15.08.2022

I thought it was good that the hippo owned up as then the cat didn’t get the blame forever.
Anonymous 13.08.2022

The story reminded me of goldilocks because hippo ate all the cake. I like chocolate cake!
Senorita Tulip Sequins 19.07.2022

This book is ok. The only bad part about it is when he eats the cake because he wasnt supposed to.
Senorita Mistral Scratchings 15.08.2021

I liked it beause Hippo tells his teacher he ate all the cake.
Queen Angel Lavalamp 13.08.2021

I like this book because it is about telling the truth and owning up of you do something wrong.
Madam Rapunzel Taramasalata 10.08.2021

Hippo keeps lying about who ate the cookies but then he tells the truth.
Coach Ursula Lavalamp 09.08.2021

I like chocolate cake and so I like that he eats that. Hippo is my favourite and I like that the cat gets the blame but then he tells the truth.
Anonymous 27.07.2021

I liked this book because it could teach you lessons about telling the truth. My favourite bit was when he told the teacher that he ate the chocolate cake. I think children should read this book so they can learn that it is important to always tell the truth.
Constable Dobbin Paddington 27.07.2021

Brilliant book because it tells about telling truth. It was funny and good because from 4 to 10 those are the funny bits. I liked hippo the best because he said sorry to everyone and made a new cake. Yes I would recommend this book to other children to read.
Esquire Dobbin Mystery 17.07.2021

Very good to teach people how important telling the truth is.
Empress Rose Hedgehog 28.01.2021

It was a book about telling the truth. Hippo eat the cake and then he made a new one for the children at school Its my favourite book
Lieutenant Chip Hedgehog 04.09.2020