School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-"Fragility was a solid piece of work." So begins Lester's tale of a high-strung hippo whose incredibly thin skin belies her great strength. Oversensitive Fragility takes offense at even the most gracious comments and usually ends up breaking down in tears, which finally forces her friends to avoid her altogether. It takes real insults from a bully elephant, Rudy, to teach her to be as strong on the inside as she is on the outside, and he learns a thing or two as well. The punchy story line will keep children laughing, and Munsinger's characteristic watercolor illustrations bring the tale to life, making Lester's creatures all the more entertaining and enjoyable. Children may recognize characters like these in themselves and in their very own classrooms.-Julie Roach, Malden Public Library, MA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
The team behind Hooway for Wodney Wat introduce another memorable character's struggles in Hurty Feelings by Helen Lester, illus. by Lynn Munsinger. The not-so-ironically-named Fragility may be one tough hippo, but she can't take a compliment. When told she has sturdy legs, she cries, "You hurt my feeeeelings!... A piano has sturdy legs. So you think I have piano legs." Her dramatics cause her friends to snub her, until an encounter with a bullying elephant helps her realize her overreactions. (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved