HUTTO – Henrietta Hippo’s adventure started in 1915 and is commemorated with thousands of hippo statues situated throughout the city. Now her story has been re-imagined as a children’s book called “Hippos Are My Heroes,” replete with dynamic graphics and plenty of local references.
“I’ve taken some artistic license to make the story appeal to children,” said author and illustrator Iris Shay Reese. “I’ve just been in love with this story ever since I heard it and I’m so honored to be able to share it.”
Reese, who lives in Lawton, Oklahoma, was in Hutto recently promoting the book. She visited Hutto Elementary School and the Hutto Public Library to read it to children. She also visited Snuffy’s Place, Rio Grande Tex-Mex Restaurant and Christ the Rock Church to sign copies of all five of her books. The newest book, Sparkle Saves Christmas, was just released this month. All are available on Amazon.
“I’m starting my sixth book in January. I’ve been absolutely consumed and addicted to writing. It’s just so exciting to me,” Reese said.
The Hutto event marked her first public reading of the books.
Reese creates her stories using the concept of positive distraction, which she learned during her career designing the interior of children’s hospitals across the globe.
“When kids get involved in a building or toys it distracts them away from whatever their concerns are. I learned so much on how to do positive distractions I thought I could turn that into a book,” she said. “I took a lot of the elements I used to use, from the bright colors to the really cool illustrations, and I tried to make up stories that would be fun.”
Reese first heard the story of the Hutto hippo from her friend and former classmate Ida Weaver while planning their 55th high school reunion. “She said ‘Would you be interested in writing about a hippo from Hutto?’ I said that sounded fun. Since I had to bring the story from 1915 to now, the book is told by the original hippo’s granddaughter.”
Weaver sent Reese all the background information on the hippo and how it came to be Hutto’s mascot, along with multiple historical articles about life in Hutto during that era. Reese dedicated the book to Weaver.
Weaver, a Hutto resident, leads the community watch committee for Hutto Community Watch, a 501(c)4 organization formerly called Hutto Senior Watch. The group sponsored Reese’s promotional trip to Hutto.
“The book is so cute, adults and everybody likes it,” Weaver said. “People will recognize some local people in it, and some local places.”
One of the local people is a former mayor named Debby, who Weaver said the horticulture-loving hippo star of the book is loosely based on.
The book signing is Hutto Community Watch’s second public event. The organization is raising funds to build a community center. Meanwhile, Christ the Rock Church at 3160 Limmer Loop has agreed to act as the group’s temporary home for meetings and community events. For more information visit HuttoCommunity watch.org.
