The Great Escape: Or, the Sewer Story.

by Peter Lippman

Captured as babies in Florida and discarded by their owners into the New York sewer system, a group of alligators plan an elaborate escape and return to their sunny homeland.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books

45 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[Teresa TL Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story of an alligator, named Silas by the tourist family who adopted, then discarded him, begins in Florida swamps but soon moves to New York City. There Silas encounters an underground alligator community, and soon assists in the planning, preparation, and migration of The Great Escape from the sewers. I won't give away the alligators' destination, but it will warm your heart!

Delightful illustrations entertain adults as well as children. If you ever encounter a copy in a used book store snatch it up!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books...at about age 4...so much so that I paid $&%*&^@ for one off of ebay for my grandson...

[Michael E. Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightfully anarchic story entertained me as a child with its many asides and jokes. I hope it can be republished one day as Lippman's tale of alligator resistance and escapes needs a bigger s.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the greatest children’s books of all times. I loved it as a child and my children loved it too.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book as a child. Silas, a young alligator kidnapped from the swamps of Florida is sold to a family of tourists who bring him back to their hometown - New York city. Unfortunately, when he starts to get too big for their apartment, they do what any family would - flush him down the toilet. In the underground world of the sewer, he meets other alligators who share his fate, and they plot and execute their escape together.

This book is out of print, but I'd be willing to sell my battered copy for $1,000,000.

[Synchro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as a child.

[Alex Margolies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure genius!