The Quiet Crocodile

August 21, 2017
Fossil is a crocodile who “loves the quiet.” And although the narrator claims that Fossil has “a few friends,” he in fact has around two dozen of them—they’re lined up along the book’s endpapers, each one with a name and color-coordinated dot to help readers keep track. As Fossil sits perfectly still, members of this menagerie turn him into a version of a family room sofa: Ryan the lion and Sonny the bunny play cards on his back, while Fippo the hippo alternatively sunbathes and dances on Fossil’s snout. Scaly real estate becomes increasingly scarce, and the animals pile up on each other precariously. But what’s wrong with that? Fossil would never think of eating his friends—or would he? Readers have plenty to pore over as Renon’s precisely drawn and imaginatively dressed animals accumulate and invent new and often acrobatic antics to perform on their stoic friend’s back. Andriamirado assures readers that Fossil’s intentions are always honorable, though she leaves a sly bit of wiggle room on the final page. Ages 2–4.

August 1, 2017
In this French import, a natty group of animal friends congregates on the back of Fossil the crocodile, engaging in everyday activities while piling on top of one another in various configurations. Fossil, a long, light-green crocodile wearing a checked shirt, striped pants, and black-and-white spectator shoes, poses peacefully in the first double-page spread. Readers are told that he "loves the quiet." His tranquility is short-lived, however, as his friends traipse toward him in a slow parade. From Fippo the hippo all the way to Otto the octopus, all of the animals are named and pictured on the endpapers, except for one who shows up on the copyright page. They advance from the left and climb up on Fossil and one another. Meanwhile, the slyly humorous text continues to describe Fossil's preference for "be[ing] alone. / Away from all the racket and hubbub." Given the limited, albeit ironically amusing, text and relatively static illustrations, apparently created in pen and ink and colored pencil, the book's appeal relies on close examination of the pictures' quirky details. Colors are mostly muted, but pattern abounds, adding interest. The revelation that "Crocodiles are "quick...[and] fierce...even in books!" may inspire a frisson of suspense, but Fossil's friends (and readers) are quickly reassured. Tongue-in-cheek humor and stylized illustrations should make this appealing to sophisticated young listeners. (Picture book. 3-7)

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