The trim size of this small picture book can barely contain the joy of its protagonist, a playful purple hippopotamus named Herbert who loves the playground slide. Herbert cannot decide what part of the slide he enjoys the most—climbing all the way up, the fluttery feel of anticipation at the top, or zooming down. As Herbert repeats each step of this exhilarating routine, his imagination takes off and the slide becomes a vehicle for deep sea diving, mountain climbing, and more. The colorful and cozy digital pencil illustrations are a perfect match for this energetic toddler story. Highly Commended, 2023 Charlotte Zolotow Award ©2022 Cooperative Children’s Book Center     (Ages 2-4)