When Crocs Fly

Gr 3–7—This is the fourth book in the series, and the gang are back for more crazy adventures. Arrogant Rat continues to make dim Pig the butt of all his jokes, the hilariously maladroit Crocs endlessly hunt uncooperative Zebra, and rational Goat tries to stay out of the crossfire. Fans of Pastis's "Timmy Failure" books are sure to laugh out loud at all the snarky and irreverent commentary and will gleefully absorb the quirky life lessons sprinkled throughout ("The only real happiness is found inside us…. Because that's where the french fries go."). The artwork is childlike, with chubby bodies and stick arms and legs, and the bright, full-color panels are spare, with very little movement; what action there is often takes place behind a table or hedge or in a bare room. This simplistic approach only enhances the character interactions by highlighting the dialogue, making the silly puns and punch lines funny and unexpected.