Veronica, a hippopotamus who wants to stand out from the herd and be famous, travels to the big city where she indeed does stand out. Causing traffic jams, blocking sidewalks, and devouring a pushcart vendor's vegetables in one big gulp, Veronia is arrested and jailed. How she discovers that there is no place like home is told with warm humor and sublimely mirthful illustrations that are great fun to share with a young child.

Roger Duvoisin was born in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1904 and came to the United States in 1925. Among his more than 40 children's books, he is best known for those featuring Veronica the conspicuous hippopotamus, and Petunia the silly goose. He received the Caldecott Medal in 1947 for White Snow, Bright Snow, and a Caldecott Honor in 1966. He died in 1980.