Owen the baby hippo and his mama were best friends. They loved to play hide-and-seek on the banks of the Sabaki River in Africa. That was all before the tsunami came and washed Owen's world away.

But after the rain stops, Owen befriends Mzee, a grayish brown tortoise. He plays with him, snuggles with him, and decides he just might turn out to be his best friend and a brand-new mama.

Inspired by the tsunami of 2004, acclaimed storyteller Marion Dane Bauer and celebrated illustrator John Butler depict this heartwarming true tale of healing, adoption, and rebirth -- with splendid illustrations and oodles of love.

About the Author
Marion Dane Bauer is the author of many books for young readers, including the Newbery Honor book On My Honor and the Coretta Scott King Book Illustrator Award winner The Stuff of Stars. She lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, and can be reached at MarionDaneBauer.com.

John Butler has illustrated more than forty books for children, including Little Chick, Little Bunny, A Mama for Owen, and While You Were Sleeping. He has worked for Sesame Street and Time magazine and resides in the United Kingdom.

Awards
Short-listed for Volunteer State Book Awards (Grades K-3) 2009 and Delaware Diamonds Award (Grades K-2) 2007.



Book Information
ISBN 9780689857874
Author Marion Dane Bauer
Format Hardback
Page Count 32
Imprint Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publisher Simon & Schuster
Weight(grams) 517g
Dimensions(mm) 305mm * 235mm * 10mm