DON'T EAT ME, CROCODILE

A misunderstood crocodile only wants lemonade but his sharp teeth keep scaring off the humans who could serve him some in this debut picture book.

All a friendly crocodile wants is some refreshing lemonade. He finds a lemonade stand, but the kids running it are so terrified, they flee in panic Still without lemonade, the crocodile drives to a fancy restaurant, where again he is feared because of his looks. Finally, at a burger joint, he orders lemonade from a distracted cashier. When the crocodile has a chance to save the day, the cashier realizes that there’s something good behind the reptile’s startling appearance. The moral of not judging people (or animals) by how they look is a familiar one, but this tale has an ingenious twist. Crocodiles are dangerous, after all—especially for a thief trying to rob a store serving lemonade. Ripley’s short phrases, consistent scansion and rhymes, and witty repeating phrases invite young readers to join in. The people who run from the reptile “see his pointy teeth / and not the crocodile” and decide that “getting eaten by a crocodile / does not sound very fun.” The author’s illustrations are reminiscent of social commentary cartoons with their exaggerated caricatures, which work well alongside the rhymes. Humans of several ages, sizes, and skin tones are depicted, and a gag about the young cashier who’s glued to his cellphone will make adult readers chuckle.

A clever, new rhyming spin on the old moral about judging individuals by their appearances.