Κρόκο

by Azul López, Χριστίνα Φιλήμονος (Translator)

Ο Κρόκο είναι ένας κροκόδειλος
που κολυμπάει σαν κροκόδειλος,
περπατάει σαν κροκόδειλος
και τρώει όπως τρώει κάθε κροκόδειλος…
… ή τουλάχιστον το προσπαθεί.

Όταν ο Κρόκο παγιδεύεται σε έναν σκοτεινό λάκκο, πολλά ζώα προσπαθούν να τον βοηθήσουν να βγει… Τρεις μαϊμούδες, δύο πουλιά, ένα φίδι κι άλλοι κάτοικοι της ζούγκλας θέλουν να τον συμβουλέψουν πώς να τα καταφέρει, μα εκείνος δεν μπορεί να βρει τον τρόπο κι αρχίζει να κλαίει…

Η Ασούλ Λόπες στήνει μια παιδική ιστορία, με πρωταγωνιστές τα συναισθήματα, τη σημασία που έχει να τα εκφράζουμε, όπως και την αξία της βοήθειας και της φιλίας. Σε ένα βιβλίο που δεν θα διαβαστεί όπως τα άλλα, η Μεξικανή εικονογράφος και συγγραφέας παίζει με τον χώρο του βιβλίου, δημιουργώντας μια νοητή σκηνή, για να αφηγηθεί την ιστορία του Κρόκο, την πτώση του, που παίρνει φυσικό βάθος σε αυτή την κάθετη μορφή ανάγνωσης, και κυρίως τη θλίψη του.

Στις πολύχρωμες σελίδες του βιβλίου, που ανοιγοκλείνουν σαν το στόμα ενός κροκόδειλου, μπερδεύονται ακουαρέλες, παστέλ, λάδια, κλαδιά, χώμα, χρωματιστά μολύβια, ψαλίδι, χαρτί και κομμάτια πλαστικού, για να μας μεταφέρουν σε έναν κόσμο που άλλοτε προκαλεί γέλιο κι άλλοτε συγκίνηση.

Άλλωστε τα παιδιά, όπως λέει η εικονογράφος και συγγραφέας, είναι «ελεύθερα και σκανταλιάρικα, δεν καταλαβαίνουν ακόμη την υπακοή, ούτε νιώθουν την ανάγκη να ευχαριστούν τους άλλους», γι’ αυτό και εκφράζονται πάντα με έναν αναπάντεχο τρόπο στα ερεθίσματα που δέχονται, όπως και στο συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο της.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Storytime

40 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2025

Reviews

[Brandi Rae Fong]

Oh I really wish the trim size of this book was bigger, it would have made a great option for storytime! (Also to note, the book opens vertically not horizontally, though it works/makes sense for the story). I did delight in looking at the shifting details of the tiny insects, possum, frogs, ect that were just hanging out in the trees above the crocodile. Best for 1 on 1 reading.

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming! Target audience is probably ages3-5.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so so so cute. I read the translated version. Croco has my whole heart. I love him so much. I loved the illustrations, the unique opening, the plot line of him just crying. Very sweet, very original.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Croco is a bright red crocodile who falls into a hole. His friends give him advice on how to get out, but their ideas, while well-meaning, rely on traits - like feathers - the crocodile does not possess. Finally Croco, upset and frustrated, begins to cry. These are not “crocodile tears” though, but real ones, and they are profuse. Finally all the water generated by his tears allows him to rise to the top of the hole.

The book is top bound, so readers must flip up the pages to see what comes next. This vertical design emphasizes the seemingly insurmountable distance between the crocodile - trapped in the bottom of the deep hole - and his concerned friends, looking down on him from the page above.

López, the illustrator as well as the designer of the book’s unique layout, uses a vibrant palette of greens to evoke dense jungle foliage, punctuated by the stark white bark of the trees. Against that background, the fiery orange, yellow, and red of jungle inhabitants stand out and focus the viewer’s eye on the drama of the rescue attempts.

As an aside, if you grew up reading Doctor Dolittle, you'll love how the animal art brings Hugh Lofting's original illustrations to mind.

Evaluation: Though Croco might seem like a scary creature, the other inhabitants of the jungle don’t hesitate to try to help rescue him. Teachers can help children learn that this is not just “fiction”; prosocial altruistic behaviors are common not just in humans but occur in a broad range of animals, especially in emergency situations. Perhaps kids can think of occasions when they have seen neighbors who don’t ordinarily interact came to each other’s aid in times of need, like being stuck in a snow storm, or breaking a leg.

It should also cheer young readers that Croco managed to escape his predicament even after the lack of success by the others trying to help him. This can suggest to them that just when things look the most hopeless, there might be a way out after all.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Croco is an “ordinary” crocodile who lives in the jungle. He may be a bit clumsy, because he falls into a deep hole and cannot extricate himself, even though he tries “all fifty ways that crocodiles know.” He tries to follow advice given to him by a snake, a pair of birds and a bunch of monkeys, but none of their ideas work. Dejected and afraid, Croco starts to cry. He cries A LOT. Maybe you can guess how he gets out.

A familiar picture book scenario is enlivened by the vertiginous book orientation: the 6 x 9″ book is read vertically (even the publisher information!) The trees appear very high and the hole appears really deep. The artwork, which appears to be manual acrylic paint, set an almost claustrophobic scene, but still make Croco seem more hapless than pathetic. The deep, textured, opaque colors feel like you’re right there with him. Observant readers can discern lots of little critters in the trees besides the snake, birds and monkeys. I think little ones will identify with the utter hopelessness of being stuck without recourse, and it’s a sweet reward that one’s own tears can be the saving grace. The last two spreads are wordless, allowing readers to imagine Croco’s feelings and providing space to imagine what comes next.

[Logan Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cute story about a crocodile, Croco, who falls down into a hole and cannot escape. Croco seeks help from other animals to get out, but nothing seems to work, By the end of the story, Croco figures out a way to escape the hole all on his own. The author used Croco's frequent attempts and determination to find a way out of the hole in order to engage the reader, such as myself. I really enjoyed the story because of how it used Croco's sticky situation in order to emphasize the themes of perseverance and trusting yourself during tough situations. Students can learn that sometimes getting advice from others is helpful, but it is also important to rely on your own solutions to different situations. Overall, this is a really sweet story that I think would be great for young readers to experience.

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was so sweet. Croco is a crocodile who one day falls into a hole. The hole is so deep that he cannot crawl out. Several animals offer up suggestions on how to get out of the hole and he tries those, but it’s no use! How will Croco ever get back to his normal life outside the hole?

Honestly, I think this book is a brilliant take on how sometimes bad things in life can be huge, unscalable holes. And your friends might try to help you out of them, but you know in your heart that you are the one who needs to figure out a way to climb out (sometimes with help). I loved the illustrations and the unique way this book presented (it is read up and down). You really feel like you’re down in the hole with Croco and you can’t get out. A+

Mia’s 2nd Year of Books: Day 340

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a Crocodile falls down a deep hole, the animal friends try to give advice on getting out, but a crocodile isn't like a snake, a bird, or monkeys, and their advice won't work.

Croco is an unusually sized book which is sure to get lost on the library shelf, however, that said, I can see the reasoning behind the format. The book is held sideways so that the pages appear to be looking at a cross section of a hole, allowing the reader to see in the hole as well as the animal friends in the trees and on the ground above. The story was clever, and didn't resolve as I anticipated, so that was fun. Originally published in Mexico.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

The spine is at the top of this book which is about the size of an early reader. The pages turn upward and show a jungle scene that doesn’t change much from start to finish. Croco gets trapped in a hole, illustrated on the bottom half of each spread. His animal friends, illustrated on the top half sitting in the white branches of a couple of trees in front of thick jungle foliage, try to help by giving advice and then by lending helping hands, all to no avail. So Croco starts crying. Over three spreads, his crocodile tears slowly fill up the hole until he is able to climb out. Sometimes sitting w a sad friend who is stuck is all we can do.

[Carisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this picture book and I appreciate books that creatively use format/layout for storytelling. This book is read vertically. I read the Spanish language version. The illustrations are charming. The story is somehow simultaneously simple and profound. I found multiple social emotional messages that resonated with me related to problem solving and individuality. Small children would enjoy the animal characters and Croco’s challenge but the message could be meaningful to older kids, teens, and adults like me.

[Yesica Mendez-Sandoval]

Something I like about this book was how the animals were trying to help Croco get out to the hole, they were all willing to help and each different animal though of a solution to help him out. even though it didn't work they still stay by his side, until Croco cried enough to fill the hole up with his tears that he was able to get out of it. This book is a little remind that what works best for you may not for other people.

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars (I really liked it)

This was cute. The book is orientated vertically instead of horizontally. Croco gets stuck in a hole and all the other animals tell him how easy it is to get out (snakes say to just curl around a trunk, birds say to fly, etc.) but nothing works for Croco. Eventually he cries because of his situation and gets out. I feel like you could just enjoy the book as is or read into it more about mental health struggles. But both ways I liked it.

[Debrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good and justified use of the vertical format, and the small size of the book makes that manageable. An enjoyable small cast of characters to get to know. Works fine even if the readers is unfamiliar with the concept of "crocodile tears." Not a particularly novel storyline (Alice in Wonderland's pool of tears and Aesop's The Crow and the Pitcher come to mind), but may be new and fresh to a young reader. Illustrations feel thick and green and jungly.

[Shelby Hensley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated story uses simple language and rich imagery to explore themes of identity, belonging, and self-acceptance. Croco’s journey feels gentle yet meaningful, making it especially engaging for young readers. It’s a great choice for classroom discussions about emotions and understanding differences.

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

You've heard of the expression, "crying crocodile tears"? This concept figures in the conclusion of this picture book fable where various animals encourage Croco to do what they would do to get out of the hole he is trapped in. Cooperation and resilience are featured aspects of the story, but the conclusion involving a flood of crocodile tears is surpriising and cute and original.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this naturally funny story and the funky jungle illustrations. My only complaint is that it is sometimes hard to read the text because it doesn't contrast very well against the illustrations.

[Elaine Fultz, retired librarian (38 years serving youth) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read aloud. Stop and ask the kids for their ideas about how to get Croco out of the hole he's fallen into after the advice from the birds, snake, and monkey do not work out. Would be great if the publisher would re-issue in a bigger size.

[Amber Wessies Owrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The translation doesn't give it the rhythm and flow I assume it has in Spanish, but it is still a cute story with interesting and vibrant illustrations. I liked that the book opened vertically as well

[Katie Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super charming little book! I’m not surprised this won the Batchelder. The illustrations and how they changed over time particularly delighted me, seeing all the animals appear and shift. Opens vertically and the font size is kind of small.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Croco has fallen into a deep hole and cannot get out. Animals in the jungle come by to give advice, but none of it works. Just wait until the end when readers discover how Croco manages! It will be a funny read-aloud!

[Bibliobibuli-Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! I did not see the end coming.

[Kelly Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful art, cool sideways layout, lovely story. Great length for storytime but small text and pages might make it hard to present to a group.

[Gabriel Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple, powerful story that reminds you that sometimes you have to let yourself feel the feelings. You can only be yourself.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming picture book about a crocodile who gets stuck in a hole and can't figure out how to get it. It's an interesting look at friendship, community, and how life can just be overwhelming.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coco does it their way.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unsure of the message here - cry about your problems and maybe that will solve them?

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun format.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Batchelder Winner 2026

Great little story, and book is bound in unusual way to match the story.

[Jody Kyburz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Award winning, beautifully illustrated, simplistic yet thoughtful, classic, translated from Spanish...a lovely little picture book for children of all ages!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute book. I loved the illustrations, and I really felt true sadness for Croco. I'm glad everything worked out in the end.