I, Crocodile - Softcover

Marcellino, Fred

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0060088591 ISBN 13: 9780060088590

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2002

Synopsis

While robbing Egypt's mummies, sphinxes, and palm trees, Napoleon can't resist bringing home a souvenir crocodile as well.

All Paris is enchanted with this exotic creature. But for a crocodile with an appetite as big as his ego, being the toast of the town has its downside, too. What's a crocodile who's used to a dinner of flamingo, snake, or mongoose to make of chocolate mousse? Oh, to return to his beloved Nile! But fickle Napoleon has other plans for our hero... Inspired by an obscure nineteenth–century French satire, I, Crocodile is the first book Fred Marcellino has written as well as illustrated.

Ages 4–8

About this title

Review:

Ah, the contented life of a Nile crocodile, direct descendant of the ancient Pharaoh-worshiped Egyptian crocs. Delectable fish for dinner, exquisite pink flamingo for dessert. Life is good... until Napoleon shows up, that is. This greedy emperor wants one of everything in sight--mummies, obelisks, and yes, a crocodile for a Parisian fountain display. The nerve. But, well, life isn't all bad in Paris. Soon our hero is the "Toast of the Tuileries! The Darling of the Empire!" Life is good again... until that fickle emperor gets a hankering for Crocodile pie with Egyptian onions. It's time for this rascally reptile to make a quick getaway.

Inspired by an obscure 19th-century French satire, I, Crocodile is Fred Marcellino's first hilarious effort at both writing and illustrating a picture book. His previous illustrations for children's books, including Puss in Boots, have garnered numerous awards, among them the Caldecott Honor and an ALA Notable Children's Book award. Marcellino's witty pictures and text, portraying Napoleon as a prima donna potentate and the crocodile as a not-so-innocent victim, have a sly sense of humor that will keep historians and young readers rolling in the aisles. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter

About the Author:

Fred Marcellino's picture books include Puss in Boots, a Caldecott Honor Book; The Steadfast Tin Soldier, an ALA Booklist Children's Editors' Choice; and The Pelican Chorus, one of School Library Journal's Best Books of the Year.

His most recent books, The Story of Little Babaji and Ouch! are both ALA Notable Children's Books.

Dancing By the Light of the Moon: The Art of Fred Marcellino will open on November 9, 2002 and run through January 26, 2003 at The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. This is a comprehensive show of more than 150 pieces highlighting his children's book career, and the first museum retrospective honoring the artistic accomplishments of this remarkable artist. For more information visit, The Norman Rockwell Museum website.

Fred Marcellino's picture books include Puss in Boots, a Caldecott Honor Book; The Steadfast Tin Soldier, an ALA Booklist Children's Editors' Choice; and The Pelican Chorus, one of School Library Journal's Best Books of the Year.

His most recent books, The Story of Little Babaji and Ouch! are both ALA Notable Children's Books.

Dancing By the Light of the Moon: The Art of Fred Marcellino will open on November 9, 2002 and run through January 26, 2003 at The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. This is a comprehensive show of more than 150 pieces highlighting his children's book career, and the first museum retrospective honoring the artistic accomplishments of this remarkable artist. For more information visit, The Norman Rockwell Museum website.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0060088591
• ISBN 13: 9780060088590
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Marcellino Fred