Crocodile Hungry

by Eija Sumner (Author) John Martz (Illustrator)

Reading Level: K − 1st Grade

A hilarious story about a hungry and hapless crocodile, for fans of How to Give Your Cat a Bath and I Want My Hat Back.

Crocodile hungry. What can crocodile eat? Canned ham? Too hard to open. Beef jerky? Gets stuck in teeth. Eggs? Bite shell, get toothache. Crocodile must find food. But where?

Though crocodile is surrounded by food, he doesn't know it. He's used to food coming in packages and boxes and in handy tins. Will the hungry crocodile figure it out?

Readers big and little will laugh out loud at the simple but hysterical text and illustrations by debut author Eija Sumner and cartoonist (and now resident crocodile expert) John Martz.

Select format:
Hardcover
$18.99

School Library Journal

PreS-K--This deceptively simple book will delight readers of all ages. It succeeds so well because the author creates a character and story line that run counter to all expectations. The main character is a hungry crocodile, and readers will expect him to be ruthless to satisfy his hunger. They won't expect a crocodile who is completely clueless. When the crocodile sets off in search of food at a nearby refrigerator, a farmer's market, and a community garden, he has no idea that his very presence will lead to panic. He is shocked that he ruins the farmer's market, and everyone leaves screaming. He can't fathom why his "acrobatic feat" to reach the grocery store cart is met with screams rather than applause. Young readers will giggle each time the crocodile fails to get something he wants to eat. The bright green and pink illustrations, which will remind readers of the loose-lined cartoons of Sandra Boynton, are a perfect match for the text, capturing the crocodile's emotions through adjustments to the eyes and eyebrows and alterations in just how many of crocodile's gleaming, deadly teeth are showing. Like the text, the illustrations keep readers guessing as to what the crocodile will actually eat until the final page. VERDICT Giggles guaranteed in this hilarious easy reader; a nice piece of overturned expectations, sure to delight.--Sally James

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

With its tongue-in-cheek humour, short action statements, and bright illustrations, this book is sure to appeal to children of all ages. . . a quick but satisfying read with a conclusion that most Canadians will appreciate. —CM: Canadian Review of Materials

A surprisingly endearing character, with a wry text and expressive pictures that appeal to both children and adults. —Imaginary Elevators
Eija Sumner
EIJA SUMNER has an MFA from Hamline University in writing for children and young adults. While a student at Hamline, Eija received the T.A. Barron Fellowship for Excellence in Fantasy Writing, the Anne Tews Schwab Award for Excellence in Critical Writing and the Frances and Kermit Rudolf Scholarship Award. She lives in Idaho with her husband, three children, two cats and one red-eyed bunny (but no crocodiles).

JOHN MARTZ is an illustrator, cartoonist and designer. He is the author and illustrator of Evie and the Truth About Witches, Burt's Way Home, A Cat Named Tim and Other Stories and the illustrator of Who's on First? and Crocodile Hungry. His work has also appeared in MAD Magazine and The Nib. He lives in Toronto and has never eaten a flamingo.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780735267879
Lexile Measure
380
Guided Reading Level
F
Publisher
Tundra Books (NY)
Publication date
February 20, 2022
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV039200 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Manners & Etiquette
JUV002010 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Alligators & Crocodiles
Library of Congress categories
Picture books
Food
Humorous fiction
Crocodiles
Hunger

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