You know that feeling when life gets so loud and fast that you forget how to pause? This book is the pause. It’s quiet and kind and full of breath. I didn’t expect a concrete pink hippo in a local park to help me feel seen, but somehow it did. Or more precisely, Kabahiko did.

This book weaves together the stories of five very different people, each of them hurting in their own way, all living near a humble apartment block and a faded pink hippo ride. It’s the kind of ride you’d see rusting at the edge of a playground. But here, it’s believed to be magical. If you touch the part of the hippo that matches the part of yourself that’s hurting, healing might begin but not in a flashy, dramatic way, but gently, quietly, like the soft return of spring after a harsh winter.

There’s Kanato, a high schooler who once burned with confidence but now flounders in the shadows of others. He doesn’t just want to get better grades, he wants to be someone again. Then there’s Sawa, a young mother swallowed by the pressure to be perfect, to keep up with all the shiny, curated versions of motherhood. Her exhaustion feels so real you can almost hear the sighs between the lines.

Chiharu might’ve been my favorite. A wedding planner who no longer sees beauty in celebrations. Her story reminded me how burnout can creep in even when you’re doing something you once loved. And Yuya, a little boy faking an injury just to escape gym class, ends up showing us that sometimes emotional aches hide under scraped knees. Lastly, Kazuhiko, a middle-aged man who’s quite literally losing his vision, but more importantly, he’s lost the sense of wonder that once colored his world.

Each of them brushes against Kabahiko in their own way. And no, the hippo doesn’t talk. It doesn’t sparkle or float or roar with magic. But somehow it listens. It holds. And through it, these characters begin to rediscover small joys and unexpected paths forward. Their stories aren’t connected in some grand twist but they’re linked in a gentler way, like neighbors passing each other in the hallway, unaware that they’re quietly part of each other’s healing.

The writing is simple but never shallow. It doesn’t try too hard to be profound and that’s what makes it beautiful. It reminded me that sometimes it’s not the big answers we’re searching for, but the space to ask better questions. This book is filled with those quiet, aching questions we’re often too busy to ask ourselves. I think what hit me most was the idea that healing doesn’t have to be loud. It can be soft. A walk in the park. A moment of stillness. A pink hippo that’s seen better days but still shows up for anyone willing to sit beside it.

Highly recommend reading this with a cup of tea. Or in a quiet moment when the world feels too loud for you.

4.5 ⭐️

Pretty slow book but all in all it was good. It’s a collection of stories so those usually lose me at a certain part.

Thank you to Hanover Square Press for an early copy of this book!

I love Michiko Aoyama’s writing. The small slice of life look into other’s lives makes for a quaint, introspective read that feels like a breath of fresh air when you’re done.

These stories all being tied together by a smiling hippo also makes them a little magical as well.

I loved this book, and I can’t wait to snag a copy when it releases!

Following 5 people who all live in the same condo building, each story tells of their troubles and healing. This was a charming little book, highly recommend if you're looking for a low stakes story about healing, focusing on the people and things around you, and community.

I loved with her first book, so I was so excited to dive into The Healing Hippo of Hinode Par and it didn't disappoint. As like in her first book, this one tells of more interconnected stories that speak to the heart

Set in a quiet corner of Hinode Park, it celebrates the quiet magic of everyday kindness and the unexpected bonds that form when people and hippos open their hearts. The characters’ lives intertwine in surprising ways, and the hippo brings not just charm, but a deep sense of calm and healing to everyone she meets.

It shows themes of friendship, community and second chances. It reminds us how healing can just be showing up for each other, or looking inward and self reflecting. It’s uplifting without being overly sweet, and grounded in emotional honesty.

If you’re looking for a cozy, heartwarming read, The Healing Hippo of Hinode Park is the perfect book to curl up with. It's a celebration of connection and the quiet power of love.