My Crocodile Does Not Bite - Hardcover

Kulka, Joe

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0761389377 ISBN 13: 9780761389378

Publisher: Carolrhoda Books ®, 2013

Synopsis

Ernest's crocodile does not bite! It's very well trained. But when Ernest brings the crocodile to the school's pet show, his rival Cindy Lou gets very rude.

Cindy Lou is sure her poodle Fifi will win best in show. She doesn't think Ernest's croc should be allowed to compete. But Ernest and his friend have some tricks prepared. They're going to prove that when a crocodile's not busy biting, it can really put on a show!

About this title

About the Author

Joe Kulka has written and illustrated My Crocodile Does Not Bite, Vacation's Over! Return of the Dinosaurs, and the award-winning book Wolf's Coming!. Joe lives in Quakertown, Pennsylvania.

Joe Kulka has written and illustrated My Crocodile Does Not Bite, Vacation's Over! Return of the Dinosaurs, and the award-winning book Wolf's Coming!. Joe lives in Quakertown, Pennsylvania.

Review

"Absurdity abounds in Kulka's tale of a clever boy who knows that telling the truth--just not the whole truth--can be pretty entertaining. Ernest is excited for the school pet show, but when he tries to board the bus with his enormous pet crocodile, Gustave, heads turn and apprehension rises. 'My crocodile does not bite! He's very well trained,' Ernest assures everyone. After Ernest finally arrives at school--via Gustave, not via bus--the boy puts his pet through his paces and upstages the other students and their animals (at one point, Gustave juggles tennis balls while riding a unicycle and playing the harmonica), much to the chagrin of persnickety Cindy Lou and her puff of a puppy, Fifi. Although the characters' poses often come across as wooden, Kulka (Wolf’s Coming) creates a quintessentially grumpy foil in sour-faced Cindy Lou, who's decked out in pigtails and a pink dress that matches the color of her poodle. While Kulka doesn't do much to create a sense of tension as the story progresses, the wicked twist of an ending should catch most readers by surprise." ―Publishers Weekly

(Journal)

"It's the day of the annual pet show at school. When Ernest shows up with his gigantic but harmless-looking crocodile, prissy classmate Cindy Lou immediately begins to harp that everyone will get bitten, to which Ernest protests, 'My crocodile does not bite.' As Ernest shows off the many talents of his crocodile (juggling, unicycling), he is a big hit with everyone―except Cindy Lou. The jealous girl's behavior escalates to the point where it seems inevitable that something bad will happen. Still, it does come as a bit of a surprise when the crocodile swallows both Cindy Lou and her pink poodle, to which Ernest exclaims 'See? My crocodile does not bite . . . He swallows his food whole.' Brightly colored, cartoon illustrations depict an expressive, goofy-looking crocodile cavorting about and stealing the show. Readers who appreciate Cindy Lou's comeuppance may or may not welcome her unexplained reappearance on the final page." ―Booklist

(Journal)

"It's time for the annual pet show, and snotty Cindy Lou brags that her poodle is going to win. Ernest enters his gigantic crocodile. Despite Cindy Lou's protests that Gustave will bite everyone, Ernest repeatedly explains that his pet does not bite. The plot unfolds with comical, unexpected twists. When Gustave will not fit on the school bus, Ernest rides him to school. There the other students and even the principal take a liking to the huge, well-trained croc. Then a jealous Cindy Lou trips Gustave as he juggles, plays the harmonica, and rides a unicycle. During the fall, the croc swallows the harmonica, so Ernest reaches into his mouth and retrieves it. Wanting to show off Fifi's talents, Cindy Lou tosses a tennis ball, which rolls into Gustave's mouth with Fifi chasing after it. Cindy Lou crawls in to rescue her dog and is swallowed. The ending reveals Ernest winning the prize while the concluding illustration depicts Gustave riding the unicycle as he juggles Cindy Lou and Fifi. This fun read-aloud will keep listeners and readers chuckling. Kulka's spirited acrylic artwork gives personality to the characters and adds to the humor." ―School Library Journal

(Journal)

About this edition

• Publisher: Carolrhoda Books ®
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0761389377
• ISBN 13: 9780761389378
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Kulka Joe