
In a warm, muddy river in far‑off Africa lives Chunky, a plump little hippo who loves to splash, hide beneath the water, and grin his way through every day. He’s a happy‑go‑lucky youngster who munches river grass and delights in the soft mud that keeps the bugs at bay. With his broad, square nose and a laugh that sounds like a big mouth opening wide, Chunky instantly charms listeners of all ages.
Chunky shares his riverbank nest with his caring parents and two lively siblings, Mumpy and Bumpy. Their names are bestowed by the friendly Mrs. Dippo, a visiting hippo who can only point with her heavy ears, adding a touch of whimsical humor to their family life. Together they explore the reeds, play games, and learn the simple joys of river‑horse life.
The story’s gentle narration and lively illustrations capture the carefree spirit of childhood adventure, inviting listeners to join Chunky on his first mischief‑filled escapades. It’s a sweet, light‑hearted tale that celebrates curiosity, family bonds, and the simple pleasure of a good giggle in the mud.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (124K characters)
Series
Kneetime animal stories
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2020-05-15
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Best known as a house name of the Stratemeyer Syndicate, this byline introduced generations of young readers to lively animal adventures full of mischief, danger, and happy endings. The books are simple, fast-moving, and easy to imagine as read-aloud stories.
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