The Christmas Crocodile (Nancy Pearl's Book Crush Rediscoveries)

This book is for the silly at heart. When a child reads this book (or has the book read to him or her), they go on this imaginary adventure of what if with the crocodile. Funny things happen. Definitely a wonderful book.From some other reviews, I can tell there is an adult perspective and not a child perspective. Obviously a real crocodile under a Christmas tree would be a bad thing, but a friendly imaginary crocodile would be a harmless, funny thing. Enjoy the freedom of being a child.The seller was excellent as the heavy storms caused damage to the book and it was replaced immediately.

This book is a hoot. I think I was more excited to receive it and read it than the kids were. That said, it quickly became a family favorite, and I can see us reading this every year for the holidays. It works on multiple levels: younger readers will be mostly amused by the antics of the titular character, while older kids will appreciate the "twist" ending, and the adults the allusions to the Victorian/Edwardian period from which the book's visuals draw inspiration (hint: Uncle Theodore certainly resembles an avid nature lover who became president in the early 20th century).

The book description and cover made it sound it was aimed at a younger audience. The "humor" went way over my 3 year olds head. We didn't find it funny. We found it depressing. The crocodile eats all of the Christmas things and ruined things. It's like the Lemony Snickets Christmas holiday. Debating saving it for when she's older or passing it along.

This was a great addition to our Christmas book collection. My 4 and 7 year olds really enjoy it, but I could see it being enjoyed by older children as well. The repetitive line " The Christmas Crocodile didn't mean to be bad, not really" has become part of our family's lexicon. It's currently being read multiple times a day.

What would you do if you found a Crocodile under your Christmas tree....laugh out loud and enjoy reading about it. I enjoyed the pictures and laughed at each family member idea on what to do with the destructive crocodile. I have to say that my nephew and any new little member of our family will receive this book from me at Christmas. Great job Bonny Becker!

My grandmother use to read this to us every Christmas EveAfter she passed away I looked for her copy but it was gone and so was a childhood memoryBut now I have my own copy and my own granddaughtersThey love it as much as I didThank you so much

We purchased several of these to send to cousins for Christmas and to keep at our own home—our children (2, 3 years old) loved it as did older cousins (9 and 10 years old). It is a very silly book, but our kids are used to those at our house :) The illustrations are delightful!

I love this book, I bought it for my kids and for my nieces! The funny gift is only compounded by the family's silly reactions to his hungry antics. At Christmas they had me read this book EVERY day, in the case of my daughter again and again and again...

My son's love books with plenty of naughtiness and mischief and this book is just packed with both. Alice Jayne finds a most unusual gift under the Christmas tree, a crocodile with a bright red bow wrapped around it's neck. From that point on it's one mishap after another, but the book always tell us "The Christmas Crocodile didn't mean to be bad, not really". And I don't think he does mean to be bad - it is just in his nature.However, things go from bad to worse. The Christmas Crocodile eats his lovely red bow, then the presents, the wreath and the Christmas roast. He takes things too far when he decides to have just a smallish bite of Aunt Figgy's toes while she is sleeping and is locked away in the cellar for the night. But that isn't the end of things - oh no, the Christmas Crocodile is only getting warmed up - but of course "he doesn't mean to be bad - not really".This is an absolutely delightful book. It is quite large and perfectly illustrated and certain to have any child in giggles at story time. Children of course relate to a creature that doesn't mean to be bad. After all most children don't really mean to get into trouble either. But the crocodile gets up to mischief on a scale most children could never dream of - and even if they could dream of it, eating the Christmas tree is just out of the question. Even a real crocodile would be hard pressed to eat many of the items in this story. Both of my sons, ages 4 & 7 love this book.My favourite part of the story is Alice Jayne - she truly loves the crocodile - warts and all. No matter how many mistakes he makes, and how much trouble he gets into, she loves him just the same. This book is now so much a part of our family life that when one of my sons really misbehaves I'll say, "But of course you didn't mean to be bad - not really", and perhaps mention that sometimes crocodiles and little boys just can't resist. And of course like Alice Jayne - I love them just as much no matter what. Everyone needs an Alice Jayne in their life, someone who loves and accepts them, just as they are.Another nice aspect of this book is that it very subtly draws attention to the fact that Christmas is not just a tree, gifts and a fancy meal. Thoese things are only trimmings. Christmas is about family and love and kindness to each other, and even without all the trimmings, it is Christmas just the same. Of course we love our tree and decorations, our presents and sweets, but this book offers a gentle reminder that Christmas is more than all that. It is so easy to get wrapped up in all the material aspects - we forget what is really important.

We adore this book and read it every Christmas for years.....it is our all time favourite Christmas book :)