LURIE, Morris (author). Richard SAWERS (illustrator). The Twenty-Seventh Annual African Hippopotamus Race. London; Collins. 1969

Slim 4to.; original textured white pictorial boards blocked in colours to both covers, double-page pictorial endpapers in colours, in repeat dustwrapper, pp. [56]; illustrated throughout, largely in full colour, including double-page plates, with some smaller illustrations in blue; externally and internally fine save a small early bookplate to front blank, in a remarkably fresh and clean, price-clipped dustwrapper with minimal rubbing at spine ends but otherwise extremely good.

First U.K. edition of this funny and energetic bestselling children’s book which was voted by schoolchildren in Victoria as their favourite Australian children’s book.  An eyewitness account, by the author, of this fabulous annual swimming race, when eighty-four champion hippopotamuses enter the Zamboola River for the greatest marathon event of all time, and the 8 year old Hippo Edward vows to win.