My Crocodile Does Not Bite

February 4, 2013
Absurdity abounds in Kulka’s tale of a clever boy who knows that telling the truth—just not the whole truth—can be pretty entertaining. Ernest is excited for the school pet show, but when he tries to board the bus with his enormous pet crocodile, Gustave, heads turn and apprehension rises. “My crocodile does not bite! He’s very well trained,” Ernest assures
everyone. After Ernest finally arrives at school—via Gustave, not via bus—the boy puts his pet through his paces and upstages the other students and their animals (at one point, Gustave juggles tennis balls while riding a unicycle and playing the harmonica), much to the chagrin of persnickety Cindy Lou and her puff of a puppy, Fifi. Although the characters’ poses often come across as wooden, Kulka (Wolf’s Coming) creates a quintessentially grumpy foil in sour-faced Cindy Lou, who’s decked out in pigtails and a pink dress that matches the color of her poodle. While Kulka doesn’t do much to create a sense of tension as the story progresses, the wicked twist of an ending should catch most readers by surprise. Ages 5–9.

December 15, 2012
Cindy Lou and her miniature poodle Fifi become just desserts at the school pet show. Kulka introduces readers to Ernest as Ernest is introducing his pet crocodile, Gustave, to his friends while they get ready for the school pet show. Cindy Lou, a sniffy brat, says that Gustave should be banned. "What a stupid pet....He'll bite everybody!" His crocodile doesn't bite, says Ernest. He is well-behaved and does tricks, like juggle and ride a unicycle. But Cindy Lou keeps up her barrage of insults--and dastardly deeds like tripping Gustave--her face screwed into a rictus of disdain. She is such a nasty, sneering piece of work that it comes as a pleasure when she accidentally bounces a ball into Gustave's maw. Cindy Lou and Fifi enter in pursuit, and well, it turns out that Gustave may not bite, but he has a great capacity to swallow. Au revoir, Cindy Lou, ma chere. Kulka softens the story at the very end, though it still packs a surprising punch. There is a pillowy softness to Gustave, though the rest of the characters have a crisp gaiety, all but you-know-who--Kulka draws Cindy Lou very broadly; still, into every life a Cindy Lou will fall. An amusing twist that will make readers wonder about the meaning of a really well-trained crocodile. (Picture book. 5-9)

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March 1, 2013

PreS-Gr 2-It's time for the annual pet show, and snotty Cindy Lou brags that her poodle is going to win. Ernest enters his gigantic crocodile. Despite Cindy Lou's protests that Gustave will bite everyone, Ernest repeatedly explains that his pet does not bite. The plot unfolds with comical, unexpected twists. When Gustave will not fit on the school bus, Ernest rides him to school. There the other students and even the principal take a liking to the huge, well-trained croc. Then a jealous Cindy Lou trips Gustave as he juggles, plays the harmonica, and rides a unicycle. During the fall, the croc swallows the harmonica, so Ernest reaches into his mouth and retrieves it. Wanting to show off Fifi's talents, Cindy Lou tosses a tennis ball, which rolls into Gustave's mouth with Fifi chasing after it. Cindy Lou crawls in to rescue her dog and is swallowed. The ending reveals Ernest winning the prize while the concluding illustration depicts Gustave riding the unicycle as he juggles Cindy Lou and Fifi. This fun read-aloud will keep listeners and readers chuckling. Kulka's spirited acrylic artwork gives personality to the characters and adds to the humor.-Lynn Vanca, Freelance Librarian, Akron, OH

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2013
Grades K-2 It's the day of the annual pet show at school. When Ernest shows up with his gigantic but harmless-looking crocodile, prissy classmate Cindy Lou immediately begins to harp that everyone will get bitten, to which Ernest protests, My crocodile does not bite. As Ernest shows off the many talents of his crocodile (juggling, unicycling), he is a big hit with everyoneexcept Cindy Lou. The jealous girl's behavior escalates to the point where it seems inevitable that something bad will happen. Still, it does come as a bit of a surprise when the crocodile swallows both Cindy Lou and her pink poodle, to which Ernest exclaims See? My crocodile does not bite . . . He swallows his food whole. Brightly colored, cartoon illustrations depict an expressive, goofy-looking crocodile cavorting about and stealing the show. Readers who appreciate Cindy Lou's comeuppance may or may not welcome her unexplained reappearance on the final page.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)