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Zack's Alligator

Zack's Alligator

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When Bridget the alligator arrives in the mail, she's only the size of a key chain. But after Zack soaks her in water, she grows into a real live alligator!

Bridget wrestles the garden hose and swings from the monkey bars. And what other alligator can do cartwheels?

Bridget the alligator is the silly, sassy star of this funny Level Two I Can Read, geared toward kids who can read on their own but still need a little help.

64 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 1989

245 people are currently reading
365 people want to read

About the author

Shirley Mozelle

13 books2 followers

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5 stars
427 (46%)
4 stars
253 (27%)
3 stars
181 (19%)
2 stars
36 (3%)
1 star
16 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
Profile Image for Tanu Gill.
575 reviews266 followers
February 17, 2017
It was very short and really funny. I had a short while to pass the time, and I borrowed it from a little girl and read it. A sweet one to keep you entertained. ;)
Profile Image for Francessca.
5 reviews
July 9, 2014
I adore this book. My mother used to read this book every night to me when I was a child. It's about a boy named Zack who gets a tiny alligator keychain in the mail. The alligator's name is Bridget when she gets wet she grows into a life size alligator. It's a really cute book for kids. With great colorful illustrations.
Profile Image for J.
3,937 reviews34 followers
December 23, 2019
A re-read from my childhood but one that has stayed with me even though the book itself doesn't seem to be such a keeper.

What probably gets me when it comes to this story though is its sweetness and fun. I am not sure how many people enjoyed imaginary friends when growing up or wanting a pet when they weren't allowed but this is what happens when both are combined together. But then isn't Bridget actually real since everyone has seen her but Zack's parents?

Just in flipping through the book on this re-read I am actually surprised I didn't notice Zack's whole family leans toward being red-headed including the orange tabby cat. Really strange. But otherwise the colorful pictures do a great job in giving the sassy alligator such a cute and cuddly persona that makes you just want to keep her yourself. And bonus keep an eye out for the cat's expressions.

A definite enjoyable read for children and one that I would love to add back to my own library whenever I get a chance.
Profile Image for Anthony.
7,251 reviews31 followers
January 12, 2019
Zack's uncle Jim sends him an alligator from the Florida Everglades the size of a key chain, and reminds Zack to water Bridget. After Zack waters Bridget that's when the fun begins. Life is much different now that Zack has Bridget, and Bridget has Zack.
Profile Image for Cam.
1,217 reviews2 followers
February 3, 2020
My son and I read this book together. I like this step 2 reading book for kids. This is the beginning stages for going into chapter books. This book is about a Zak who receives a package from her uncle. Inside contains a alligator that comes to life.
Profile Image for Andrew.
232 reviews5 followers
December 30, 2015
Zack is a lucky kid. I wish I had my own alligator that was semi-well behaved like Bridget.
Profile Image for The Celtic Rebel (Richard).
598 reviews5 followers
August 3, 2020
Wonderful book that encourages children to read and enjoy doing it at the same time. Very cute, whimsical and funny adventure for Zach and Bridget.
Profile Image for Rose Rosetree.
Author 15 books474 followers
April 3, 2024
This alligator-themed romp into fantasy is highly entertaining. Although "Zack's Alligator" reads like a book, it feels like a cartoon -- a good one.

For starters, you know you're reading a fantasy when Bridget the alligator arrives... in the mail. Originally she's about the size of Thumbellina. But Zack knows what to do. He HYDRATES her. Soon Bridget expands into a full-sized alligator!

Pretty athletic for an alligator. Unlike other alligators you have personally known, perhaps, Bridget has fun by swinging from monkey bars. And doing cartwheels....

RATING THIS BOOK

Go for it, readers. Suspend all disbelief and have a really fun time. Maybe imagine that you're riding the merry-go-round along with Zack and Bridget.

FIVE STARS of fabulous reading entertainment (and encouragement).
Profile Image for Cynthia  Gutzwiller.
1,778 reviews24 followers
October 22, 2019
A big box came in the mail for Zack from his Uncle Jim in Florida. He looked through and found a key chain with a note that said he should put water in the alligator keychain. The more water he put on it, the bigger the alligator grew. He told Zack he was hungry and went and lounged on the couch. Zack made him his Meat Loaf Special. Then they went for a walk. All the wonderful sites they saw I leave for you to uncover as you read.
This is a great Level 2 reader that has Engaging stories with longer sentences. Which means this story will keep them turning page after page and they won't even realize how much they have read. At they end they and you will be proud of the team read or the self read. Good luck.
Profile Image for Kristen.
526 reviews12 followers
November 17, 2017
I picked this book up at the library because I was looking for alligator themed books for a Blog Project (http://momquesttoteach.blogspot.com/p...).

It turned out to be a lot cuter than I originally thought it was going to be and for that I am glad. I can't wait to see if Zack's Alligator Goes to School is just as cute.


Spoilers?
Spoilers
Spoilers

Maybe I am reading too much into the children's book, but I wonder if the entire adventure was imaginary as Bridget returned to key-chain size when she dried out.
Profile Image for Toni.
319 reviews6 followers
May 19, 2020
Wow, Fantastic Read

Talk about using your imagination with this story. A boy gets a gift from his uncle, and then the adventure begins. This story is really a classic and one that could really be enjoyed every day. The illustrations literally bring it all to life. A very enjoyable read. I definitely recommend this book for you to read and or read to others.
Profile Image for T.
247 reviews14 followers
December 30, 2023
This is a book given us by an old friend that’s now been read and read for years, with lots of laughs each reading. One that will stick with you (esp for kiddos who are allergic or can’t/dont have a pet) for its endearing and smart alligator, an alligator you just might wish you had for a pet too. So fun! Reread it tonight and I made a point to finally do a review.
Profile Image for Kate M. Colby.
Author 19 books76 followers
June 4, 2025
Jack received this book secondhand from the Engel family. He picked it off the shelf and asked me to read it before bed. Of course, he wanted to look at the numbers, but he actually sat in my lap and listened to the whole story. He thought the alligator and her shenanigans were silly. I was, once again, impressed with his growing attention span.
Profile Image for Kathryn Atreides.
246 reviews7 followers
February 21, 2024
One of my favorite books when I was small and learning how to read. The librarians found this book about two minutes after I gave a very vague description. Love getting to share my favorites with kiddo.
Profile Image for Laura DeGrave.
237 reviews8 followers
October 15, 2024
Quite the creative tale about a young boy receiving a neat gift, alligator keychain from his uncle in Florida.
Following his uncle's instructions to water the alligator, it grows in to a full-sized lizard--yikes!
There on out, the adventures begin and Zack has a new found friend to play with.
Profile Image for Blue.
550 reviews27 followers
September 22, 2017
I found the book cute and whimsical, especially reading it to a Newfoundland puppy who prefers to always be wet. The illustrations added humour to the story.
1 review
July 16, 2019
Love this book!

I won this book when I was 5 and now I’m 26 and reading it to my 3 kids,how awesome is that
Profile Image for Moopies.
241 reviews1 follower
November 29, 2019
I haven't read this since I was a single digit babychild, but I loved reading it then. So funny and outrageous!
1 review
December 16, 2019
Funny book

I liked the idea of the alligator growing and shrinking. It was just challenging enough without giving me too much trouble. I can’t wait to read the next one.
(Nico, 8)
Profile Image for Craig Redmond.
2 reviews
March 31, 2020
Kids enjoyed

This book was funny and kept the kids interested. The Alligator was cute said on the kids. Enjoy this book.
1 review
April 12, 2020
Awesome Sauce

It was very fun I enjoyed reading it I thought the whole thing was just an imagination. I love reptiles.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews

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