The Crocodile's True Colors

by Eva Montanari

In answering the young African animals questions about the ferocious crocodile living in the nearby river, Master Elephant also teaches them about various forms of artistic expression.

Genres: Art

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2002

Reviews

[Tatiana Gomes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Achei interessante abordar as varias correntes de pintura: expressionismo, dadaismo, abstracionismo, cubismo de forma ludica. gostei.

[Lindsey Mineweaser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about a group of young animals who attend school in Africa. Their schoolroom overlooks a river below where a crocodile lives. Master Elephant asks the students to draw a picture of the crocodile from down below. Each student draws a different picture and no one can agree what the crocodile looks like. After they are done with their pictures, Little Monkey gets frustrated and throws the pains out the window and into the river. The crocodile gets covered in paint and leaves the river. Then the crocodile draws each of the animals as well.

This book has a very meaningful message. Each student draws a completely different image of the crocodile. The other students laugh at each other because they think only their own drawing is correct. However, Master Elephant explains that it is okay to have different perceptions. Master Elephant encourages all of the students to continue drawing what they think is correct. It is important for children to understand that there are multiple ways to do things. Likewise, it is important for teachers to tell children that as well.

Many things can be learned from this book. While there are lessons and messages, there are also facts in this book. Each student draws a completely different picture of the crocodile and Master Elephant explains what each one means. Then Master Crocodile goes into depth about the details of that form of art. Some of the forms of art that are shown in this story are expressionism, cubism, futurism, abstractionism, and dada.

The majority of the text in this story is black with the same font. However, there is only one repeated phrase that is different. The phrase, “Ha ha!” is much larger than the rest of the text. In addition, it is bolded. This phrase occurs every time the students are laughing at each other. The animals are making fun of their peer’s works. There is an emphasis on this phrase on each page because it is larger and bolded.

[Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

This marvelous book combines a fun story with an introduction to some of the schools of art: Expressionism, Cubism, Futurism, Abtractionism, and Dada. Though some of these schools wouldn't have been my first choice to introduce to students, the book is still fun in how it introduces the concept of different schools of art.