My Baby Crocodile

K-Gr 3—A spirited tale of love, loss, and the endurance of friendship. Alone and "asleep" in a swampy jungle, a young knight is discovered by a grown-up crocodile. The crocodile thinks the armored knight is a baby croc, and his nurturing instincts kick in. He tries to care for the wee one by offering food, warm baths, and protection, but nothing goes quite right. He also attempts to teach the small crocodile survival techniques, but they often go awry. After a few misadventures, the young knight sheds his armor and the two rediscover and redefine their relationship. Can a young boy and a grown-up crocodile really be friends, or is it just too dangerous for each of them? Told from two perspectives, this unique picture book explores the connections that bind us. From the beginning, readers are drawn in by the crocodile's story, but just at the climax, when the boy reveals who he really is, a new point of view is added, creating interest and complexity. The push and pull dynamic of the two characters is highlighted by the text color and size assigned to each of them. The illustrations are drawn in jewel tones, with copiously detailed pen strokes. Children will find the story funny, full of adventure, and maybe even a little sad. The various emotions evoked by the tale will spark a wealth of meaningful conversation about friendship and trust.