I Got a Crocodile by Nicola Killen

I Got a Crocodile by Nicola Killen
Buy I Got a Crocodile by Nicola Killen at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
Category: For Sharing
Reviewer: Louise Jones
Summary: A child wishes for a sibling, but ends up with a crocodile instead.
Buy? Maybe	Borrow? Yes
Pages: 32	Date: February 2013
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Childrens Books
External links: Author's website
ISBN: 978-0857075789
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A lonely child wishes for a little brother or sister to play with, but ends up with a crocodile instead. The crocodile is messy and intrusive and soon starts making a nuisance of himself, causing trouble at teatime, bathtime and bedtime. Can the crocodile and the child get over their differences and become friends in the end?

I Got a Crocodile is a rather unusual little story about what happens when a friend does not meet your expectations. The story shows young children that by embracing differences and learning to find ways to play together and cooperate, bonds of friendship can grow between the most unlikely playmates.

The artwork is charming, playful and simple, with subdued colours. The pictures have a childlike quality, with the ‘colouring in’ often intentionally going over the lines. This gives the drawings a slightly messy, blurry appearance which kids will be able to identify with. Seeing the huge crocodile trying to master human activities, such as riding a scooter and eating spaghetti is sure to raise a giggle from young readers.

My young son had a bit of a problem with the plot of the book. The opening line is:

I always wanted a brother or sister....but instead I got a crocodile.

My little boy couldn’t understand why the child in the book had a crocodile instead of a brother or sister! It really seemed to bother him and he kept asking me over and over again about how the crocodile got there.

As kid’s books go, I found this one quite average. The plot was not very exciting and the premise a little confusing for young children. The artwork was sweet, however, and the book contains a worthwhile message about friendship that could be a useful way of teaching kids how to get along with one another.

If you enjoyed I Got a Crocodile, you may wish to read Nicola Killen's first book, Not Me!

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