The Healing Hippo of Hinode Park
Nestling at the bottom of a five-storey apartment block is the children's playground, Hinode Park. If you look to the side, you'll see a hippo standing on stubby legs. Its upturned eyes give it a tearful look, yet for decades, its quiet power has sustained the hearts of a community.
Meet the neighbours who will reach out to Kabahiko Hippo:
-Kanato presses his head to the hippo's cheek, hoping to recover the stellar marks he once scored;
- Sawa, a lonely new mother, strokes her mouth, hopes to connect as she once did when she was an award-winning retail assistant;
- Chiharu, a wedding planner, hopes to be able to listen to the happiness of others;
- Yuya avoids sports day with a fake injury, only to find he really is in pain.
- Despite Kazuhiko's fading eyes from too much editorial work, he will learn to see life's everyday wonders.
A quietly powerful story of hope, friendship and connection, Michiko Aoyama's beloved bestseller is a celebration of everyday encounters. Its subtle portrayal of the magic of community will lodge itself in every reader's heart.