The Healing Hippo of Hinode Park is less a novel and more a giant, cosy hug — five parable-like stories that quietly reflect on who we are, how we heal, and the relationships that carry us.

A Cosy Embrace in Book Form

I’m not sure what I was expecting from The Healing Hippo of Hinode Park by Michiko Aoyama, but I wasn’t prepared for the giant hug that enveloped me. Every linking story added an extra cosy element, a blanket, a hot cup of chocolate, snacks … whilst a relatable parable-like narrative was poetically sculptured, piercing all my feels.

‘Praise isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But if that’s your only motivation, you’re likely to feel defeated when that praise doesn’t come … Regardless of what anyone says or doesn’t say, flowers will always do their best to bloom.’

Aoyama’s Poetic Prose, Preserved in Translation

The translation by Takami Nieda maintains Aoyama’s poetic style so wonderfully. Even the writing added marshmallows to the cup of hot chocolate. The themes are centred around identity, emotions and relationships. Aoyama uses her characters to reflect on very real issues we face in life: the way we react, respond, then reflect and learn.

‘Now that I no longer had a name badge, who was I?’

Linked Stories, Shared Community

The Healing Hippo of Hinode Park contains five linked stories. Each chapter follows one inhabitant of Advance Hill, a new condominium, that Aoyama charmingly weaves together to create a community. The community not only lives in this new apartment building but they are all drawn to a small playground with an orange, worn, hippo, opposite a store called ‘Sunrise Cleaning’, where the owner, Yukie Mizobata, often reassures and helps the inhabitants reflect.

A Book to Read, Hold, and Cherish

To say more would be to give the little narratives away, and so I can only provide you with the emotions that this beautiful novel left in its wake. I would also argue that the physical book is a must, with beautiful illustrations at the start of each chapter, adding to the world building and the warmth of the overall novel.

One Small Quibble (the Hippo’s Colour!)

My one and only criticism is that ‘Kabahiko’ is described as being orange throughout the novel, almost a coral/orange on the original Japanese novel, and yet the is pink on the UK cover. As a designer, qualified in design for publishing, this is a big oversight.

The Healing Hippo of Hinode Park is for readers that love cosy reads such as Before the Coffee gets Cold and The Blanket Cats. A novels that’s not just cosy but also lingers.

A Soundtrack for Healing

To add to the books charm, I’ve compiled a ten-track playlist that I think works beautifully with the novel.

1. Shake It Out – Florence + the Machine
   Perfect for the book’s theme of renewal and letting go of old burdens. Like the characters who shed self-doubt, shame, or stubbornness, the soaring chorus mirrors that cathartic release into hope.
2. Asleep Among the Endives – Ichiko Aoba
   Dreamlike, gentle, and almost whimsical — it captures the quiet everyday magic of Advance Hill. A perfect soundscape for the hippo playground itself, where ordinary lives are quietly transformed.
3. Don’t Know Why – Norah Jones
   Norah’s soothing vocals echo the uncertainty and longing of characters like Sawa, who feel lost in identity and purpose. The soft jazz warmth fits the “cosy but bittersweet” heart of the novel.
4. Love Cook – Ai Otsuka
   Bright, tender, and a little quirky — this track feels like nourishment, much like Yukie Mizobata’s presence in the community. It carries that Japanese pop warmth that makes everyday emotions feel vibrant.
5. Only Time – Enya
   Timeless, ethereal, and reflective. This mirrors the way the novel asks big questions about who we are and how we heal, but always in a gentle, non-pressuring way. It’s also a great sonic parallel for Kazuhiko’s story of patience and letting go.
6. Hoppípolla – Sigur Rós
   An iconic track for wonder and innocence rediscovered. Its childlike optimism and soaring build matches Yuya’s story, where rediscovering joy in something simple (like play, not competition) is transformative.
7. Better Together – Jack Johnson
   Sweet, simple, and rooted in companionship. This captures how relationships (friendships, families, marriages) are gently repaired or deepened in the novel. Its acoustic softness echoes the “warm hug” vibe of the book.
8. For Lovers – Lamp
   Melancholy but tender, Lamp’s jazzy tones embody the reflective stillness of the book. It resonates with the emotional intimacy of characters learning to be vulnerable.
9. When We Were Young – Adele
   A perfect reflection on memory, nostalgia, and loss — themes woven into multiple stories. It mirrors the bittersweetness of revisiting the past and learning to move forward, especially in Theresa’s eyes (and Kazuhiko’s, too).
10. Lemon – Kenshi Yonezu
    One of Japan’s most moving modern ballads, deeply tied to themes of grief and memory. It beautifully complements the book’s undercurrent of healing through loss, giving it a culturally resonant anchor.

Title: The Healing Hippo of Hinode Park
Author: Michiko Aoyama
Translator: Takami Nieda
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Edition Publication Date: 2025

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