The Crocodile Who Didn't Like Water

In this wry and loving story, a small crocodile who, unlike his siblings, doesn't like the water discovers his true nature when he sneezes--and breathes fire. Touches of red in the largely green world mark our hero as an outsider. The story involves no bullying; this is just about the joy and relief of finding yourself, with an added bonus for the aquaphobic reader.

The animal-who-doesn't-belong theme takes on sparkling new life in this wry and loving story of a small brother in the crocodile family who doesn't like rain or baths or the swimming pool but finds his true nature as the result of a dramatic sneeze. Every element of the picture book is in play here -- endpapers that foreshadow the big reveal and cheekily suggest an epilogue; touches of red in the largely green world that mark our hero as an outsider (viz. his tiny red rubber boots); page design that makes us feel his loneliness; emotion-steeped characters whose dot eyes convey trepidation, shock, joy, tentativeness, exhilaration; just enough typographical shenanigans; a pared-down text with one perfect neologism. The story involves no meanness, no bullying. The siblings are kind before and after the punch line. This is just about the joy and relief of finding yourself, finding your true element, with an added bonus for the aquaphobic reader. And that punch line? Green, toothy, long tail, crenellations along the spine? Not a crocodile, but a.... This is an exemplary picture book. sarah ellis