> Skip to content
  • Published: 1 June 1989
  • ISBN: 9780140342970
  • Imprint: Puffin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 112
  • RRP: $14.99

The Twenty-seventh Annual African Hippopotamus Race



This funny, exciting and best-selling story takes you behind the scenes as eight-year-old Edward trains for the greatest swimming marathon of all!

  • Published: 1 June 1989
  • ISBN: 9780140342970
  • Imprint: Puffin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 112
  • RRP: $14.99

About the author

Morris Lurie

Morris Lurie was born in Melbourne in 1938. After years of living abroad in England, Denmark, Morocco and Greece, he returned to Melbourne in 1973. He has written more than two dozen books, including The Twenty-Seventh Annual African Hippopotamus Race, which was voted by the schoolchildren of Victoria as their favourite young storybook by an Australian author, and the award winning adult books Flying Home (1978), Whole Life (1978) and The Night We ate the Sparrow (1985).

Awards & recognition

YABBA Children's Choice Awards

Winner  •  1986  •  Prize for Writing for Young Adults

KOALA Children's Choice Awards

Shortlisted  •  1994  •  Prize for Writing for Young Adults

penguin pop image
penguin pop image