Crocodaddy by Kim Norman, Illustrated by David Walker
As soon as my little boy saw Crocodaddy by Kim Norman and illustrated by David Walker he said “Oooooh . . . alligator!” And then he ran off. What can I say? He was playing in the backyard at the time and frankly, the call of the outdoors won out over a new book in the house. But since then I have caught him more than once quietly sitting and reading this picture book to himself. By reading, I mean to say, making up whatever story he wants. The other day he was supposed to be napping but he crawled into my bed instead. When I went upstairs to shoo him out he was under my covers with this book wide open. I stopped and listened as he narrated the book, got to the end and proclaimed “All done!” (And then he got shooed into his own bed).
To tell you the truth, I actually haven’t sat down to try to read this book aloud to him yet. His interest has been high enough without me and that’s a good thing. And like my son, I have to agree that the illustrations by David Walker are worth poring over. They really make the book come alive and give it that extra special “umph!” The only complaint that I would have is that the Daddy looks more like he’s a little boy himself. I’d put him around age ten, which I found a little odd. He needs to look like a Daddy. But what I would change to make that so, I’m not really sure. That said, I do think that the illustrations are the strength of this picture book.
Crocodaddy is a fun, rhyming book about a young boy who goes on a crocodaddy hunt on a hot summer’s day in the lake. He splishes and he splashes and even gets a ride on the crock’s back as he tries to tame him. Can he tame the wild beast? Don’t fear. Crocodaddy is all fun and games because after all he’s no crock, he’s just . . . Daddy.
Down in the pond by a mossy rock,
something slithers past the dock.
Minnows dart with startled jerks -
this is where the Crocodaddy lurks!
Crocodaddy would be a fun book to read before heading out to the pool on a hot summer day and inspire Daddies to play a new game with their kids. I’m sure they’d get a thrill out of hunting their own Crocodaddy.
Stay tuned for a great author interview with Kim Norman tomorrow!
Links of interest: Kim Norman, David Walker.
Genre: Picture book, ages 4-8 (I would put it more like ages 3-6 though)
Publisher: Sterling. May 5, 2009
Hardcover, 32 pages. ISBN 978-1402744600
Crocodaddy by Kim Norman is available from your local independent bookstore, Powell’s, Barnes and Noble and Amazon.
Check out what other bloggers are saying on the Kidz Book Buzz tour: A Christian Worldview of Fiction, A Mom Speaks, A Patchwork of Books, All About Children’s Books, Becky’s Book Reviews, Booking Mama,Cafe of Dreams, Dolce Bellezza, Elizabeth O. Dulemba, Fireside Musings, KidzBookBuzz.com, Looking Glass Reviews, Maw Books Blog, Never Jam Today, Olive Tree, Our Big Earth, Reading is My Superpower, SMS Book Reviews, The 160 Acrewoods, Through a Child’s Eyes
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Category: Book Reviews, Fiction, Picture & Board Books
Tags: A-D Title, blog tour, Kidz Book Buzz, M-P Author, published 2009, review copy
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My dad and my grandpa would have qualified as Crocodaddies, sometimes with multiple children riding them. What a fun book. If I still had little ones, I’d get this in a heartbeat!
on May 12th, 2009 at 8:36 amI had to grab my copy up and look again at the dad to see if he looked like he was ten.
And then I laughed. He looked a young dad, to me. Twenties. But I realized that as I’ve gotten older, all the young dads look like they are ten to me. Wait until you’re my age, Natasha, that daddy will just look like all the other young daddies. And like all the young doctors and editors and agents…ARGGHHHH it’s so intimidating getting old! heh heh
on May 12th, 2009 at 12:13 pmOh Natasha, I am so jealous that you got to hear your little boy make up his own story for Crocodaddy. I really miss those little eavesdropping sessions with my sons. (They would NOT appreciate it now! Ha!)
Thanks for a glimpse at one young Croc fan.
Kim Norman
on May 12th, 2009 at 12:15 pmFun to hear how your little one narrated the book! It’s those little moments I miss from teaching kindergarten. Thanks for the review.
on May 12th, 2009 at 8:07 pmFeeling nostalgic for those made-up stories here, too. Ben used to do it with The House at Pooh Corner. So sweet!
on May 13th, 2009 at 9:55 pmSandy – The best kinds of dads are the ones who give lots of rides.
Sally – Ha, ha, ha!
KIm – Thank you for letting me read and review your book. I do enjoy “listening” in on my little boy.
Shelly – Kindergarten. I bet that was a fun but tiring job!
Ali – We’ve never gotten into Pooh Bear around here. I think I tried once, but it wasn’t one that interested him.
on May 16th, 2009 at 11:44 pmReminds me of CRUNCH THE CROCODILE by Josehine Croser. I just loved that book as a kid!
on May 19th, 2009 at 11:53 pm[...] by Kim Norman [MY REVIEW & AUTHOR [...]
on November 16th, 2009 at 2:51 am