Children's Books
Picture Book Review: Arrivederci, Crocodile or See You Later Alligator
We got a lot of good giggles out of this, and I have no doubts this will be a favorite for a long time.
We received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review Date: September 20th, 2019
Begun By: Fred Marcellino
Completed By: Eric Puybaret
Cover Copy
Can a hungry crocodile trick—and eat!—his way through Italian high society? Pack away your pasta—Crocodile is heading to Italy in this long-awaited sequel to Fred Marcellino’s award-winning I, Crocodile.
First that dastardly Napoleon kidnapped Crocodile from his beloved Egypt, then he dragged him to Paris to be gawked at, and THEN he tried to eat him! Luckily our dear croc escaped, but while Parisian life may be glamorous, life in Paris’s sewers is not. If only Napoleon had taken Crocodile to a more aquatic reptile–friendly city. Perhaps one with an excess of canals and better food…
“NAPOLEON TO TOUR ITALY: FIRST STOP, VENICE”
Surely Napoleon wouldn’t mind if Crocodile hitched a ride out of Paris…
Will our crocodile find his perfect home amongst Italian high-society? Or will he be revealed as an impasta? Pack away your pasta—Crocodile is heading to Italy in this long-awaited sequel to Fred Marcellino’s award-winning I, Crocodile.
Review
I now need to own the first book. I didn’t know there was a first book until I got to the end of this one and discovered what was basically on the cover: the original author/illustrator died before completing this book and they got the help of an illustrator who admired his work to complete it. Something about that story just makes the book extra special.
But even without that, this book is silly and adorable and I love it. The illustrations are gorgeous and the story itself is just fantastic enough while still somehow managing to be realistic. Like you could maybe actually believe that a crocodile who spoke and thought like this one could get away with attending a masked ball. We got a lot of good giggles out of this, and I have no doubts this will be a favorite for a long time.
Kid Ratings
- Font Readability: 10/10
- Kid Engagement: 10/10
- Mommy Engagement: 10/10
