If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don't!

Magnolia says DON'T!

by Elise Parsley

Note to self: If your teacher tells you to bring something from nature for show-and-tell, she does not want you to bring an alligator! But nothing will stop Magnolia, who's determined to have the best show-and-tell of all--until her reptilian rapscallion starts getting her into some major trouble. Now it's up to Magnolia to find a way to send this troublemaker home--but what could possibly scare an alligator away?

Genres: Picture Books, School, Humor, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

First published July 7, 2015

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Show and Tell day in Magnolia's classroom. Does she bring something like a hollow stick, a bird's nest, or shiny rocks? Nope. Magnolia brings an alligator. Maybe not the best idea as the alligator is not the most well-behaved animal in the classroom. Will Magnolia get in enough trouble that she is sent to the principal's office? Read this along with one of you favorite kiddos and discover just how much trouble bringing an alligator to school can be.

[Archit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Often people are encouraged to do what they are told not to do or not supposed to do ever, ever.

If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don't! book knows exactly that. That's why it goes through whole process of telling you why why why you shouldn't ever bring an Alligator to School!

Read it to find out, even if you are an adult, you can still bring an Alligator, but please Don't!

[Rashika (is tired) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you mean I am too old to be reading picture books? SHUSHHHHH. I READ WHAT I WANT and what I want to read are cute picture books like this one.

A couple months ago, I decided I wanted to read picture books and it’s been an interesting experience. I read middle grade novels often these days and sometimes my age does become an issue, but it’s even harder to ignore that picture books are written for an audience that is NOT me. It is why it’s even harder to come across picture books that completely win my heart over and cross over from the territory of being enjoyable and cute.

This one did. For starters, all the artwork in the book is GORGEOUS. I am actually flipping through the pages again as I write this review to see the amazing artwork once again. The story is also really cute and features a little girl who decides to bring an Alligator to school for show and tell. As the title already lets you know, it’s not such a great idea and she ends up not having such a great day.

This is the perfect book to read aloud to kids, and to read aloud to yourself (hush, don’t judge). This book not only has my approval, but the approval of one little 6 year old girl who enjoyed it too so you know it’s going to be a great little picture book.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

In our ongoing saga of learning what NOT to do, Neo and I discovered that alligators and school do not mix. It is not necessarily for the presumed reason (picture a cheesy 1970s horror flick), but that the alligator might cause problems and lead to detention or even a trip to the principal's office. Show and Tell would surely be more interesting with an alligator than a hollow stick, but the end result would surely be a pain in the butt. Neo laughed when he saw all the things that alligator did and knew that he, too, would be in trouble if he allowed an alligator into school. Then again, he would likely blame me for it all.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading the first book in the series after reading the second book earlier this month. This one is fine, but not as imaginative and cohesive as the one with the piano at the beach. I have the next two books in the series on hand from the library and am still looking forward to checking them out soon.

[Magpie67 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess some kids would think Alligators are awesome and cool and maybe one could them to school, but poor girl discovers Alligators are nothing but trouble. One could have to stand at the end of the line, miss recess or get their name written on the board. Consequences... Imagine, teaching a child about consequences or how to choose better paths. Using the brain matter for thinking... before acting. We have a world full of adults unaware how to behave this way. One could change the title and rewrite the book for an aggressive child or children.... "If You Ever Wanted to be a Bully in School, Don't"

Great message Elise!!!! Using our noggins for knowledge, good intentions and imagination. Classic!

[Kate Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

K-3. Students are asked to bring in something from nature to share with the class. MOST kids would think of a stick, a shell, a leaf. But what if you thought bringing an alligator to school was a good idea? It isn't!

Fun to discuss with students why some things are okay to bring to school and some aren't. Highlights some of the thinking process --trying to predict consequences before they happen. Are the consequences justified? What could the student have done differently?

Cute illustrations and problem-solving.

[Theresa Grissom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story, I think kids will enjoy this. Anxious to read the other books in this series.

[Steve Holden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the other in Elise Parsley's series I got my hands on. This one is going to be a part of my classroom library and early read aloud! I love it. The story and illustrations are funny, and can be connected to helpful early conversations. Students are asked to bring something of "nature" to share for show and tell. What about an alligator? The story and illustrations fall much in line to the "If you give a mouse a cookie, etc" series and students love simple, silly stories. Give this author and her picture books a look - I think they're a lot of fun for primary grades!

[Relyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Missouri public school librarian, I am reading all the Show Me nominees to my second, third, and fourth grade students. This book was is so much fun! The art is wonderful, the story is funny, and the surprise picture on the back end paper provides the perfect jolt of laughter.

[Art · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little humorous book.

[Sahel.hn · Rating 4 out of 5]

مجموعه‌ی خیلی بانمکی بود به خصوص این یکیش 🫶🏻

[Azin · Rating 3 out of 5]

وقتی معلم بهت میگه از طبیعت چیزی سر کلاس بیار و راجع بهش صحبت کن
منظورش چوب تو خالی، لانه ی پرنده یا سنگ و…ست،
یه وقت با خودت تمساح سر کلاس نبری!!!!! :)))))

این جلد، راجع به بردن وسایل مرتبط با درس و کلاس، به مدرسه بود!

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The concept itself is hilarious (because what kid wouldn't want to bring an animal, let ALONE a reptile, for show-and-tell!), but the actual events that unfold coupled with the bold, lined illustrations make this story a must-read (preferably aloud).

I especially love the specific details within the illustrations: Marigold's chalk drawing of her teacher (3 people = the size of an alligator) includes the paper airplane stuck in her teacher's hair, the kid who lost the chunk of hair (via alligator bite) is holding it whilst waiting in line for the principal's office, etc.

[Rian *fire and books* · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can just imagine going around a room, stomping and yelling for this book.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely the best out of the three.

[Isaac Solberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book on the importance of not bringing an alligator to school.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

An alligator sounds like a slam dunk idea for nature Show and Tell, but this little girl is here to remind you of some consequences to bringing an alligator to school.

Why I started this book: Found this book from if you like this and then read that list...

Why I finished it: My library's Overdrive had this as a read along. Darling and perfect. I loved the origami, the lunch disaster and the crayon incident. I'll have to purchase hard copies for my library.

[Andy Nordvall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hey, what could go wrong? Plenty, actually, but what I love about Ms. Parsley's books is she never takes the obvious route. There's just a little alligator almost eating children, but it turns out alligators are kind of jerks in general (who knew?) with poor protagonist Magnolia taking the brunt of the blame. Don't worry, though, she gets her sweet, sweet revenge. This is part of a series. They're all fun reads.

[Astrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Irreverent, funny, and so fun to read out loud. It has the gift of being fun for adults and at a different level for children. One little girl's attempt to bring an alligator to school for show n tell ends in mayhem and chaos. They really can't be trusted and you really, really, really don't want to follow in her footsteps.

[Aliza Werner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laugh out loud story of a girl who brings an alligator for show and tell. She's clearly setting her show and tell goals high and interested in science/nature. Reads a bit like "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie" with and "if, then" sequence. Hilarious story and illustrations.

[Dee Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Magnolia decides to bring an alligator to school for show and tell, the day is filled with chaos and mayhem.

I loved this book! It's funny, has amazing illustrations and would make a really good read-aloud!

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure what to pick for the edition. I actually have this book with the Moonlite app and projector. I love it! The book itself is cute and I love the alligator. The projector and sound effects make this reading experience extra special.

[Yelda Basar Moers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very cute and clever and reminds me of the children's picture book Argus!

[Josianne Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super fun to read aloud.

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Similar to Never Take a Shark to the Dentist.

[Jo]

Preparing for 1st graders. Cute book, seriously guys do not bring an alligator to school! If you still feel like you want to bring one, read this book FIRST!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute, story about a child's love for a alligator, then the knowing they no longer wanted a real alligator at school.

[BunTheDestroyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty funny! Apparently it’s a series. Reminds me of If You Give A Mouse...in a way

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't find it funny, but my kids liked saying "If you ever want to... don't" for the rest of the afternoon, which was very funny.
The art has a recognizably unique style and looks very polished, especially for a debut author-illustrator. I appreciate that the alligator is the conventionally cute character, compared to the human kid. The human kids are all wildness and expressive faces, with Ramona Quimby energy, not so much cute as endearing to look at.