Book 9: The Hippos (Paperback)

Home is getting closer. So is the water Casper dreads.

Book 9: The Hippos

Casper has come a long way across Africa, but the next part of her journey asks something she desperately wants to avoid: crossing deep water.

Crocodiles lurk beneath the surface, hippos tower above her and the wetlands are full of unfamiliar sounds. Twelve fearless baby African pygmy geese, an opinionated bullfrog and a surprisingly kind giant hippo might be able to help—if Casper can bring herself to trust them.

With the family she misses waiting somewhere beyond the water, can she find the courage to take the next step?

A funny, stirring adventure about accepting help and moving forward with fear beside you, rather than waiting for it to disappear.

Included with this book

• The paperback, printed for you and posted to your door
• The ebook (ePub), yours to keep on every family device, ready in your Casper library from 14 December 2026
• Casper’s audiobook of this adventure (1 hour 11 minutes), to download and keep
• A 100+ page Adventure Activity Pack to print at home
• Passport badges to print and stick in Casper’s Adventure Passport: this book’s cover badge, its Guardian certificate and every Amazing Animal badge from the story

Your downloads arrive by email as soon as you order, and the paperback follows in the post. No sign-up needed.

An adventure to share and grow with

For early chapter readers aged 5–10, these stories are made for growing independence and for reading aloud with a parent or grandparent. Share Casper’s mishaps, worry with her when things go wrong, and cheer her on as she finds her courage. There is room for laughter, a few tears and the kind of conversation that continues after the book is closed.

• Beautiful full-colour illustrations bring Casper and her animal companions to life.
• Wildlife fact sections feed curious minds and a growing interest in Africa’s animals and their habitats.
• Kindness, resilience and problem-solving emerge through the adventure, giving families gentle ways to talk about real feelings and choices.

Written by Jennifer Ussi, The Hippos is Book 9 in the ten-book series The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa.

The series was named Best New Children’s Book Series in the U.S. of 2025 by Best of Best Review.

Wade into Casper’s next adventure and share a story about the small steps that make us braver.