Crocodile Crocodile Book Review

Book Review

Crocodile Crocodile
Written by Peter Nicki
Illustrated by Binette Schroeder
Translated by Ebbitt Cutler
Published by Crocodile Books in 1989

Why we chose this book:
Crocodile Books provided a review copy of this with a book we had requested. We have enjoyed it so much that I'm looking for it in German (original language)!

Mom's Review

A crocodile eats a shopkeeper when he discovers that her store is filled with crocodile products.

Omar the crocodile, who lives along the Nile, hears about a crocodile store from two ladies strolling past. He is thrilled that there is a store especially for him, until he enters it and sees countless products mades from crocodile. In his anger, he consumes the shopkeeper - she "can wear crocodile from head to toe." With a reversal of roles, the crocodiles stroll up and down the Nile wearing clothes without causing harm to anyone.

T, his dad, and I all agree that the rhymes are superb; vocabulary, meter - Crocodile Crocodile is a lesson in what a well rhymed picture book should be. Add Schroeder's beautiful illustrations. Top it off with a satisfying end to an unsustainable practice. And you have a picture book that is satisfying all around. And it has a touch of lighthearted fun at the end with crocodiles wearing clothes.

Son's Review
(Final review as a 3 year old!)

While reading:
Mom: How do you think he's feeling here?

Son: I think he's feeling happy.

Mom: I definitely think he's feeling happy.

Son: But later on he doesn't like what's going on, like with the store owner.

Mom: He doesn't? How do you know that?

Son: Because I've read it a bunch of times.

Mom: Oh. You have? This is the first time I'm reading it.

Dad, from the other room: He and I have read it twice. I like it. I think it's rhymed well and the story's really funny.

After reading:
Mom: I liked it. I agree with Daddy. The rhymes are really good. What did you think? What did you think about him eating the lady? Why?

Son: I think he didn't like what the lady was doing...I think it was bad. If crocodiles eat you that would be bad.

Mom: Do you think it was good at all that he ate her?

Son: Yeah because he didn't want to be made into a crocodile thing.

Mom: What did you like about Crocodile Crocodile?

Son: What I liked about it was I just liked the rhymes.

Mom: What was your favorite part and how did it make you feel?

Son: My favorite part was the ending, and how it made me feel was I really liked it.

Mom: Why was that your favorite part?

Son: Why my favorite part was my favorite part is because at they end they're dressed in pinks.

Mom: What is the best thing about about the story?

Son: The best thing about the story is this: It is that the rhymes are the best.

Mom: And is there anything else you want to tell me?

Son: I really like crocodiles.

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