If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don't! (Magnolia Says Don't! #1)

A shaggy-haired, moon-faced girl named Magnolia morphs from smug to seething in Parsley's debut, a cautionary tale about the risks of bringing an alligator to school. In second-person narration a la If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, Magnolia explains how to defuse an unhappy teacher ("You'll tell her that it's okay and that you know all about alligators. The alligator will be good and quiet and he won't eat anyone--cross your heart"), but the gator's mischievous tendencies test the girl's patience and threaten to land her in the principal's office. (Eventually, Magnolia's name ends up written on the classroom chalkboard with three checkmarks next to it "and an underline"!) Parsley's digitally created illustrations brim with energy and just-edgy-enough humor (during math, a classmate is blissfully unaware how close he is to becoming the alligator's next meal), and the well-chosen school-day details in both the artwork and text ("By now, of course, you'll wish you brought a hollow stick or a bird's nest or some sparkly rocks for show-and-tell") deliver a steady stream of laughs. Ages 3-6. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (July)

K-Gr 2--Is Magnolia a rebel or natural leader? Readers will need to decide when this young avant-garde student brings an alligator to school for show and tell. In second person narration, readers are warned against bringing an alligator to school, as the text and illustrations use Magnolia and her mischievious alligator as examples of the havoc that such a creature can bring to a classroom setting. After the alligator chews gum in class, tries to eat a student, and shows funny pictures during the teacher's lesson, he is finally introduced during show and tell. When Magnolia reveals a surprising fact about alligators (they are only afraid of other alligators--and humans!), the troublesome creature makes a run for it. Magnolia, could be the sister of David, from David Shannon's picture book series, with her large round head, wide mouth, and wiry hair. Magnolia is as busy as the alligator and just as prone to tomfoolery. The endpapers continue the goofy fun. VERDICT This is an engaging debut picture book written in free verse will appeal to a wide age range. Here's hoping for more adventures with Magnolia!--Gwen Collier, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, NY