So begins the Crocodaddy hunt--a wild and dangerous adventure into the depths of the murky neighborhood pond. Well...perhaps not all that dangerous. After all, this gnarly old Crocodaddy character smiles and winks. He looks happy--almost like he's playing a game.
What do I love about this book? Mostly, I love that it's fun to read aloud. When you have to read picture books again and again it's a great boon when they are fun to read. When you can sneak and peek and roar and laugh and tickle as you read, and when the rhythm encourages playfulness, it really helps.
I love that it pokes a little fun at the fearless hunter. He's trash-talking that crocodaddy through the whole book--I mean Ali, floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee, has nothing on this kid. "Crocodaddy, crocodaddy, swim away fast. This day's swim could be your last." The kid sings a taunting refrain throughout the book. Until the croc dumps him in and the drink and he learns a little humility. "Spitting water, now I see. Hunting crocs is hard on me!" Hmmm, he seems to think, I'm getting the worst end of the deal here. What gives? But, of course, he gets up and goes for another round, trying a new technique. Baiting the croc with a submarine sandwich. (A submarine sandwich. Being lowered into the water. I thought that was a nice touch.)
And that brings me to the illustrations.
This book is about joy. It is bursting with vim and vigor. Action splashes across page after page as croc and kid cavort. We see the kid with his arms and legs flung wildly about as he rides the beast and the wily old croc writhing and wriggling and always with that crafty smile on his face. This book just oozes fun.
There's also a little bird who shows up in many of the pictures. He watches curiously to see what the boy is doing. Very cute and it always amazes me that good artists can express so much emotion through characters who have only dots for eyes. Mr. Walker clearly understands the joys of childhood and knows how to bring that emotion to the page in uncluttered and totally endearing pictures. The illustrations are delightful.
Weaknesses? I can't find anything to complain about with this one. Sorry. I've read it several times looking for something, but I love everything about this book.
