Night Buddies and the Pineapple Cheesecake Scare

Gr 3–4—One night John can't sleep. As he lies in bed thinking about the pineapple cheesecake he had for dessert, a red crocodile climbs out from under his bed. Crosley becomes John's Night Buddy and they are soon off on to solve the mystery of the disappearing dessert. The story is bogged down by a heavy use of dialect, which reads more like poor grammar than colorful vernacular (especially since there is no indication of the locale). During one exchange, John questions Crosley about his continual use of the word "ain't," saying his parents have told him he shouldn't use it. Crosley's response, "They're exackly right….But ya see, with us crocodiles it's a little different situation. We got some special words that we have t' use just because we're crocodiles." The mystery is often lost in unnecessary interludes about drooling over pineapple cheesecake or why it's okay to not have a middle name. Crosley continually refers to the Night Buddy "program," but it's not explained until the final chapter in what feels like an afterthought. With a slight plot filled in with random details and amateurish illustrations scattered throughout, this title is one to skip.—Laura Stanfield, Campbell County Public Library, Ft. Thomas, KY