Richest Crocodile in the World FROM THE PUBLISHER
Wealthy and comfortable, crocodile has everything he could possibly want… or so he thinks, until he discovers the riches of friendship.
There were only a very few rich animals in the world, and the richest by far was a crocodile. He lived in a crumbly old mansion in Africa and had everything his heart desired—a movie theater, a beautiful garden, loads of cars and airplanes, a library stuffed with books, a loyal servant. But still, there seemed to be something missing. Then one day, as he looks out at the African plains, he sees a group of animals in a watering hole having loads of fun. It’s then that the crocodile begins to realize what’s missing… Packed with exotic animals and vibrant artwork, this is a wonderfully entertaining tale about friendship and the adventure of living.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
"There were only a very few rich animals in the world, and the richest by far was a crocodile," Postgate (Captain Hogg) begins, introducing his nattily attired (silk dressing gown, red fez, gold-topped walking stick) reptile hero. The crocodile cocks a toothy satisfied smile at readers, but in truth, he isn't happy-not like the animals he spies through his telescope. "Jenkins," crocodile tells his giraffe retainer, "Take me to the waterhole. I want to play with others." His new friends teach him that while money can offer a buffer against the uncertainties of life (a swimming pool never dries up, but a waterhole can), community and kinship with nature are more important. The story occasionally hits a speed bump when Postgate attacks his moral head-on ("Life isn't always easy, but that is what makes it so good. For us, every day is an adventure," says the elephant). But the childlike themes (when they play hide-and-seek, "Jenkins wasn't any good at hiding but he was very good at seeking"; he can look over tree limbs to spot the elephant and underwater where hippo sits on the pool's floor), urbane cartooning and comic chemistry between the crocodile and the beleaguered Jenkins quickly set the book back on course. The message that "Money can't buy happiness" may be old as the hills, but Postgate makes it bloom anew. Ages 4-7. (July) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Children's Literature - Mindy Hardwick
Meet the richest crocodile in the world! This crocodile has everything, from a mansion which includes his very own cinema to loads of cars and planes! Yet, the crocodile is not happy. He is lonely. One day, he sees the animals of the forest playing in the waterhole, and the crocodile decides he would like to have fun like them. So he tries to have fun, in his very own swimming pool. But the crocodile is still not happy. He doesn't have the other animals to play with him. So the richest crocodile gets busy and invites the animals to his house for a party. They have a great time and the richest crocodile asks the other animals to live with him. But this they can not do, as the elephant explains. They like living in the wild, where everyday is an adventure. So crocodile invents a game of hide and seek, and the other animals find him, swimming in their waterhole, away from his riches and jewels, just like the other animals. The playful language gives an added twist to the story and readers will be thrilled as they encounter fun, words such as mucked and splooshed. Readers will be delighted with the story and the alligator's decision to return to his true nature in the wild. 2003, Harper Collins, Ages 3 to 7.
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