Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
The Crocodile Blues
Novelty Wordless Picture Book
For ages 5 to 7
Candlewick, 2007 ISBN: 978-0763635435
The day is coming to a close and a man is walking home with his basket of shopping. His pet parrot is sitting on his head singing away when the man sees a sign advertising eggs for sale. He goes in the direction that the sign indicates and finds an egg dispensing machine. He puts in some money and an egg comes out. As the man is walking away the machine then disappears.
The man and his pet go home, put the egg in the fridge, have a bath, and then climb into bed. They are fast asleep when a loud cracking sound rouses them. They go downstairs to investigate, see that the fridge door is slightly open, and notice that some eggshells are lying on the floor next to the fridge. When the fridge door opens fully the man discovers that there is a very large crocodile inside.
Wasting no time the man and the parrot zoom upstairs and hide under the bed. The crocodile follows them. Not taking the time to dress or pack, the man and bird flee the house. What else can they do when a crocodile moves in!
This funny book, with its minimal art and fold-out pages, shows to great effect how art can tell a story all on its own, without the benefit of words. Young readers will be delighted when they see how the story unfolds. The tale has an ending that no one could have predicted.
