Crocodile and Hen: A Bakongo Folktale (I Can Read Level 1)

Crocodile is determined to eat fat and juicy-looking Hen!

But when he opens his mouth wide to swallow her, Hen calmly says, "My brother, don′t eat me," and Crocodile just can′t do it. What does Hen mean? How can Crocodile be her brother? Does Hen know something Crocodile doesn′t?

Clever Hen outwits the confused and hungry Crocodile in this comic folktale from the Bakongo people of Africa.

Ages 4-6

Joan Lexau is the author of many picture books for children including the My First I Can Read Book Go Away, Dog, written under the pen name, Joan Nodset, and illustrated by Paul Meisel. Ms. Lexau lives in Otisville, NY.

Doug Cushman is the creator of many favorite mystery stories for young readers featuring such memorable heroes as the intrepid Aunt Eater, the grasshopper gumshoe Inspector Hopper, and the ace reporter Dirk Bones. He has also illustrated many books written by other authors, including Jack Prelutsky's What a Day It Was at School! He lives in Paris, France.