Also illustrated by Lynn Munsinger: Ponyella What Sisters Do Best/What Brothers Do Best Hurty Feelings by Helen Lester, illustrated by Lynn M. Munsinger Grades PreK-2 32 pages Houghton Mifflin March 2007 Paperback     Fragility is an enormous hippopotamus who is surprisingly, incredibly thin-skinned. When paid a compliment, her twisted mind hears an insult and responds with a long, weepy, unbearable wail. For example, after being told by others that she is incredibly nice, she responds with inconsolable tears, suggesting that cupcakes are nice and the comments hurt her feelings by suggesting she was squishy. Her reaction leads to isolation since all the other animals become afraid to speak to Fragility because of the reaction they might receive. It is only after Fragility’s bulk is needed to protect the goal (in what is supposed to be a friendly game of soccer ) that the tables are turned. During the game she learns to accept a complement, to play well with others, and that she does have a lot to offer. Hurty Feelings is a sweet story with wonderful dialogue and text accompanied by darling illustrations of the high-strung hippotamus in all of her moods. Children will likely be amused by the sheer absurdity of the hippo’s reactions to the compliments bestowed upon her, but then cheer her on as she gains self-confidence and learns to love herself.     web reviews   Lori West/2007 for curled up with a good kid's book   For grown-up fiction, nonfiction and speculative fiction book reviews, visit our sister site Curled Up With a Good Book (www.curledup.com)