I received an electronic ARC from The Experiment through NetGalley.
A tender story about death, grief and remembering. Hopper and Reggie are friends. Reggie is a rhinoceros and Hopper is an oxpecker. Readers see their interactions as both share their story. The book starts with an event and then the two reminisce about their friendship and time together. Hints are provided throughout about what happened to start the story but Reggie's death is handled sensitively toward the end. Readers become aware that Hopper is the one who has told the whole tale by remembering what Reggie said.
Tears in my eyes as I read this one. Beautiful words and illustrations offer readers a chance to connect with grief and death and moving on with life. Families can use this one to start dialogue about grief and all of the emotions involved.

This was such a sad book!! Reggie and his best friend Hopper have been together for a long time but Reggie knows that time is coming to an end so he wants to prepare Hopper. The pictures are beautiful and the story is important and will help some children understand death.

I'm not sure what I was expecting from this book, but I was not expecting such a sad story. This story was fun and dangerous, but ultimately, sad. Reggie, My Rhinoceros brings us Reggie the rhinoceros and Hopper the oxpecker. Two close friends who've been through so much together. From being ambushed by lions, awakened by monkeys, and even scaring off a hunter. They have so many awesome memories together, Hopper will have fun stories to tell his new friends when Reggie is no longer around. Unfortunately, that's the sad part of the book. In the ending pages, we see Reggie lay down and never get up. It was an unexpected turn in the book and it was something I was not expecting to talk about with my kids. It's difficult to think about and put to words, but the last few lines from Reggie resonate with me where he mentions existing in ones memories and the experiences they shared. This book is fun and wild, full of memories, and a deep sadness. I feel like this book would benefit children who are experiencing a time of loss.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.