{{short description|2002 children's storybook by Sandra Fretwell}} {{italic title}} '''''The Pink Pippos of Portland''''' is a 2002 British [[Children's literature|children's storybook]] written by [[Sandra Fretwell]]. The book was adapted for the stage by Sandra’s daughter, Sophie Fretwell in 2020, and performed at the Royal Manor Theatre, Fortuneswell in July 2021, before going on tour from August to October 2022.
== Plot == The [[eponym]]ous Pink Pippos are fictional pink, hippo-like mammals, closely related to their cousins, the African [[hippopotamus|hippos]]. They live under the waters of [[Lyme Bay|Lyme Bay, Dorset]], United Kingdom, where they contribute to the world-famous [[Chesil Beach]], which extends from [[West Bay (England)|West-Bay]] to [[Portland Harbour]]. The beach forms part of the [[Jurassic Coast]], a [[World Heritage Site]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/143/|title=World Heritage Committee Inscribes 31 New Sites on the World Heritage List|publisher=UNESCO|language=English|date=14 December 2001|accessdate=9 September 2016}}</ref>
A particular feature of the beach is the unusual natural phenomenon, pertaining to the carefully graded size of the pebbles from which it is composed. These pebbles are no bigger than shingle at the West Bay end, and gradually increase in size to that of a baked-potato, at its Southernmost end, on the Isle of Portland.
This grading is commonly attributed to [[longshore drift]], but is in fact a result of the diligent labours of the Pippos. Living in "pods" of three or more, along its length, they work nocturnally to grade the pebbles, and thus maintain the integrity of the beach. Without their efforts there would most certainly be extensive flooding through the beach, leading to the Isle of Portland being cut off from the mainland.
== Reception == The book was distributed "among every nursery, infant and primary school" in [[Devon]] according to ''Dorset Echo''.<ref name="DorsetEcho">{{cite web |last1=Davis |first1=Joanna |title=Page-turner is a family affair |url=https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/1768414.Page-turner_is_a_family_affair/ |website=Dorset Echo |language=en |date=18 October 2007}}</ref> Bridport News said the book had become "a favourite" in the region.<ref name="BridportandLymeRegisNews">{{cite web |title=Pupils go mad for stories of Pippos |url=https://www.bridportnews.co.uk/news/5381514.Pupils_go_mad_for_stories_of_Pippos/ |website=Bridport and Lyme Regis News |language=en |date=22 February 2003}}</ref> A sequel was released in 2012.<ref name="ViewFromWeymouth">{{cite news|title=Museum 'pop-up' exhibition |website=View from Weymouth |url=https://archive.org/stream/view-from-weymouth-2012-12-19/view-from-weymouth-2012-12-19_djvu.txt |date=19 December 2012}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
== Further reading == *{{cite book | title = Pink Pippos of Portland | first = Sandra | last = Fretwell | authorlink = Sandra Fretwell | year = 2002 | publisher = Sandra Fretwell | isbn = 0-9543606-0-5}}
== External links == *[https://web.archive.org/web/20050912224819/http://www.pinkpipposofportland.co.uk/ Official website] {{Portal |Children's literature}}
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[[Category:2002 children's books]] [[Category:British picture books]] [[Category:Hippopotamuses in popular culture]] [[Category:Isle of Portland]] [[Category:Children's books set in Dorset]]