Celebrating differences with “The Crocodile Who Didn't Like Water”
The Crocodile Who Didn’t Like Water by Gemma Merino(Macmillan Children’s Books, 2013)Good to Read for:Developing empathyDeveloping visual literacyCelebrating differences Many great picture books celebrate the individual: unique qualities and interests that make someone stand out from the crowd. Examples include Olivia by Ian Falconer, Only You Can Be You! What Makes You Different Makes You Great! by Nathan and Sally Clarkson (illustrated by myself), Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems and How To Be A Lion by Ed Vere.
My Story Worth Sharing today – The Crocodile Who Didn’t Like Water by Gemma Merino (Macmillan Children’s Books, 2013) – fits neatly alongside. It’s a delightful picture book, perfect for sharing with your little ones. Not only is it a fun read, but, as we’ll see, it’s also a great way to spark meaningful conversations with your kids and reassure them in their own interests and hobbies.
The story begins, as so many good tales do, with ‘Once upon a time’:
Once upon a time, there was a little crocodile.
And this little crocodile didn’t like water.
The illustration for the first double spread sets the tone for the story—it’s a quirky and fun scene (a rambunctious group of little crocs splash and play in their bath with a beach ball) with a hint of melancholy (one little croc looks on from the sidelines).
He longed to play with his brothers and sisters.
But they were far too busy with swim club.
And this little crocodile didn’t like swim club.
Instead, he loves climbing trees!
But nobody else did.
It was lonely having no one to play with.
The little crocodile is depicted in a brighter shade of green than his brothers and sisters. He also wears a pair of red boots (to avoid getting his feet wet, I presume). They are simple and subtle ways of differentiating him, and marking him as different. I love this scene of the baby crocodiles tucked up in bed! Even though he’s surrounded by his siblings, Merino cleverly highlights the little crocodile’s sense of isolation and ‘apartness’ by depicting him – eyes wide – among his sleeping siblings. (Those red boots, set among a row of identical slippers at the foot of the bed, further reinforce that he is the odd one out.) (Kids will enjoy spotting the extra touches: a train of snails on the bedhead and a rubber duckie.)
Here’s the problem, though. The lonely little croc doesn’t want to be different. He wants to fit in! So he decides to use money he’s saved up from the tooth fairy to buy something that will help him in the water: a rubber ring.
Unfortunately, his rubber ring makes it harder to join in and only adds to his problems.
But he didn’t want to be alone.
So he decided to try, one last time…
The double spread that follows uses sequential panels to show our little croc diving into the water, sinking under and surfacing with a ‘GLUG’ and a cry for ‘HELP!’
Cold, wet and embarrassed, our little crocodile sits apart from the others.
‘But then something strange happened.’ A tickle in his nose grows and grows until he can no longer contain it. As a great, fiery sneeze blasts from his nostrils, the little ‘crocodile’ and his family discover why he dislikes water so much: He wasn’t a crocodile at all!
He was a dragon.
And this little dragon wasn’t born to swim.
He was born to breathe fire.
This adorable twist comes as quite a surprise! No wonder the little guy didn’t like water! Dragons are born to breathe fire – they are also born to fly. So, in the last few spreads, we see his wings sprout and grow until finally, he's big enough to carry his crocodile siblings as he a flies through the sky.
The Crocodile Who Didn’t Like Water is a lovely way to show kids that we all have unique interests, talents and qualities. Perhaps most importantly, it teaches them to embrace those differences – in others, as well as ourselves.
Remember, the joy of picture books like this one is in the shared experience. Use my tips beow to enjoy The Crocodile Who Didn’t Like Water together. It's more than just a story - it's a chance to spend quality time together and celebrate your unique child!
Tips for sharing The Crocodile Who Didn’t Like Water Spot the differences: After reading, go through the book again and play a little game. Can your child spot the subtle differences between the main character and his crocodile siblings? How about those eggs in the basket? (One’s a different colour.) It’s a fun way to develop their observation skills a.k.a. visual literacy!
Chat about uniqueness: Use the story as a springboard to discuss what makes your child special. Ask them what they think their unique talents or interests are. Use the opportunity to show them how much you value their individuality.
Discuss emotions: Throughout the book, our little dragon friend experiences various feelings - loneliness, determination, and eventually joy. Talk with your child about these emotions and share times when you’ve felt similar.
The Crocodile Who Didn’t Like Water by Gemma Merino(Macmillan Children’s Books, 2013)Good to Read for:Developing empathyDeveloping visual literacyCelebrating differences Copyright © 2013 Gemma Merino (Text & Illustrations)From THE CROCODILE WHO DIDN’T LIKE WATER by Gemma Merino(Macmillan Children’s Books) GOOD TO READBest picture books featuring lumpy-bumpy things
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