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CROCODILES NEED FRIENDS, TOO!

Name: CROCODILES NEED FRIENDS, TOO!
Author: Tom Toro
ISBN: 9780316471879

by Tom Toro ; illustrated by Tom Toro ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 20, 2025

Meaningful storytelling through a deft marriage of text and illustration.

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A creative, friendly crocodile just wants a chance to show the world who she is deep down.

Croc’s life underwater is rich with hobbies and interests: dancing ballet, playing the guitar, and knitting. But when she tries to befriend the other animals, they flee in terror; all they see is an ominous pair of eyes peeking above the water. That is, until a fire forces them to the water’s edge. The crocodile knits them a bridge to safety and, along the way, shows off her hidden talents and finds friends at last. Toro’s cartoon illustrations pair beautifully with his text. Unlike the frightened giraffes, antelopes, and monkeys, readers see what’s happening both above and below the surface—an inspired choice that will help them empathize with both the sweetly oblivious crocodile and the animals giving her a wide berth. The entire setting is well realized, with fantastic details such as Croc’s mother sporting a pink tank top while exercising with other reptilians and Croc’s father reading a newspaper (the Savanna Sentinel) while soaking in a mud bath. At the heart of this clever tale is a vital message: Don’t be so quick to judge, and take a cue from Croc’s friends, who learn a great deal when they look beneath the surface.

Meaningful storytelling through a deft marriage of text and illustration. (Picture book. 4-7)

Pub Date: May 20, 2025

ISBN: 9780316471879

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Little, Brown

Review Posted Online: March 8, 2025

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2025

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

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BACK TO SCHOOL, BACKPACK!
by Simon Rich ; illustrated by Tom Toro

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I'M TERRIFIED OF BATH TIME
by Simon Rich ; illustrated by Tom Toro

- BOOK REVIEW
HOW TO POTTY TRAIN YOUR PORCUPINE
by Tom Toro ; illustrated by Tom Toro

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THE MOST MAGNIFICENT THING

by Ashley Spires ; illustrated by Ashley Spires ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2014

Spires’ understanding of the fragility and power of the artistic impulse mixes with expert pacing and subtle...

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Making things is difficult work. Readers will recognize the stages of this young heroine’s experience as she struggles to realize her vision.

First comes anticipation. The artist/engineer is spotted jauntily pulling a wagonload of junkyard treasures. Accompanied by her trusty canine companion, she begins drawing plans and building an assemblage. The narration has a breezy tone: “[S]he makes things all the time. Easy-peasy!” The colorful caricatures and creations contrast with the digital black outlines on a white background that depict an urban neighborhood. Intermittent blue-gray panels break up the white expanses on selected pages showing sequential actions. When the first piece doesn’t turn out as desired, the protagonist tries again, hoping to achieve magnificence. A model of persistence, she tries many adjustments; the vocabulary alone offers constructive behaviors: she “tinkers,” “wrenches,” “fiddles,” “examines,” “stares” and “tweaks.” Such hard work, however, combines with disappointing results, eventually leading to frustration, anger and injury. Explosive emotions are followed by defeat, portrayed with a small font and scaled-down figures. When the dog, whose expressions have humorously mirrored his owner’s through each phase, retrieves his leash, the resulting stroll serves them well. A fresh perspective brings renewed enthusiasm and—spoiler alert—a most magnificent scooter sidecar for a loyal assistant.

Spires’ understanding of the fragility and power of the artistic impulse mixes with expert pacing and subtle characterization for maximum delight. (Picture book. 4-7)

Pub Date: April 1, 2014

ISBN: 978-1-55453-704-4

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Kids Can

Review Posted Online: Feb. 25, 2014

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2014

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
BYE BYE, BUTTERFLY
developed by Ashley Spires ; adapted by Naseem Hrab ; illustrated by Mike Shiell

- BOOK REVIEW
NO MOUSIE LEFT BEHIND
developed by Ashley Spires ; adapted by Naseem Hrab ; illustrated by Mike Shiell

- BOOK REVIEW
THE MOST MAGNIFICENT MAKER'S A TO Z
by Ashley Spires ; illustrated by Ashley Spires

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ON THE FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN

by Tish Rabe ; illustrated by Laura Hughes ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 21, 2016

While this is a fairly bland treatment compared to Deborah Lee Rose and Carey Armstrong-Ellis’ The Twelve Days of...

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Rabe follows a young girl through her first 12 days of kindergarten in this book based on the familiar Christmas carol.

The typical firsts of school are here: riding the bus, making friends, sliding on the playground slide, counting, sorting shapes, laughing at lunch, painting, singing, reading, running, jumping rope, and going on a field trip. While the days are given ordinal numbers, the song skips the cardinal numbers in the verses, and the rhythm is sometimes off: “On the second day of kindergarten / I thought it was so cool / making lots of friends / and riding the bus to my school!” The narrator is a white brunette who wears either a tunic or a dress each day, making her pretty easy to differentiate from her classmates, a nice mix in terms of race; two students even sport glasses. The children in the ink, paint, and collage digital spreads show a variety of emotions, but most are happy to be at school, and the surroundings will be familiar to those who have made an orientation visit to their own schools.

While this is a fairly bland treatment compared to Deborah Lee Rose and Carey Armstrong-Ellis’ The Twelve Days of Kindergarten (2003), it basically gets the job done. (Picture book. 4-7)