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How to Find Gold
Finding gold isn’t easy. In fact it’s dangerous and difficult. It requires planning. First, Crocodile and Anna practice their secret-keeping faces. Then Anna lifts Crocodile up, to be sure she’s strong enough to carry gold. Together, they draw the whole world, with an X to mark the spot. Now Anna fetches the boat, and off they sail. What will they discover?
32 pages, Hardcover
First published March 8, 2016
3 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
Viviane Schwarz
31 books44 followersViviane Schwarz is the author-illustrator of THERE ARE CATS IN THIS BOOK as well as SHARK AND LOBSTER'S UNDERSEA ADVENTURE. She grew up in Germany and now lives in London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
June 9, 2017
So fun! I read this yesterday with one of my library kid-friends (she was Anna, I was Crocodile) and afterwards we made our own treasure maps!
January 31, 2023
Illustrations are great, story and writing leave a lot to be desired.
May 30, 2020
I'm learning about this book at school😁😀
February 22, 2023
Very sweet and silly
October 11, 2017
Captivating from the cover onwards - tiny red cross on the map, heroine on tip-toe with excitement, the floating eyebrows of our crocodile friend - all tell us this is going to be fun and pure imagination. There is constant light humour; and the artist gives depth and a rich variety of expression to the child's face which provides a focus for every image. Childlike drawing strikes when the plan is hatched and then runs riot when the gold is found. We get up close and personal when they dive deep into the adventure, the two characters enlarged so their faces dominate a double spread, one on each page. We then zoom out as the artist uses the device of multiple images of the same two as they progress across two pages and explore the sea bed, arriving at two double full spreads with no words, classic device, see Sendak "where the wild things are". A sophisticated picture-book - there is lots more to talk about....
April 13, 2016
This book is adorable!! Especially Crocodile's "secret face" - so nobody knows what they are thinking about (gold). I'm a little sad that it's too wordy for my usual storytimes (generally toddlers and younger) crowd, but I'll be keeping it in mind for class visits of older preschoolers/elementary age kids!
Update: It did indeed go over well with the visiting 1st graders, who made adorable secret faces! Very fun.
Update: It did indeed go over well with the visiting 1st graders, who made adorable secret faces! Very fun.
February 25, 2016
Love the humor in this one.
December 20, 2016
How to Find Gold, is a young children’s book full of imagination. It takes you on an adventure with Anna and her friend Crocodile. Anna wants to find some gold, but Crocodile tells her that it will be dangerous and difficult. Good, says Anna, and off on the adventure they go.
However, Anna soon realises how difficult it really is to find gold, and what will she do with the gold if they find it, as there is no point in finding it then spending it, as then you will not have any gold again.
This book will peak the interest of youngsters and could quite possibly have them searching for their own gold, using their homemade map, and their pretend ship.
The illustrations are beautifully drawn, they capture the eye as they are so big, bold and colourful. The characters have a warmth towards one another, and their friendship comes across so sweetly.
An adorable, amusing, children’s book that will have kids eager to find out if Anna and Crocodile really do find the gold they are searching for, whilst at the same time the book subtly gets the message across that anything is possible with imagination.
Reviewed by Stacey at www.whisperingstories.com
However, Anna soon realises how difficult it really is to find gold, and what will she do with the gold if they find it, as there is no point in finding it then spending it, as then you will not have any gold again.
This book will peak the interest of youngsters and could quite possibly have them searching for their own gold, using their homemade map, and their pretend ship.
The illustrations are beautifully drawn, they capture the eye as they are so big, bold and colourful. The characters have a warmth towards one another, and their friendship comes across so sweetly.
An adorable, amusing, children’s book that will have kids eager to find out if Anna and Crocodile really do find the gold they are searching for, whilst at the same time the book subtly gets the message across that anything is possible with imagination.
Reviewed by Stacey at www.whisperingstories.com
March 16, 2017
I was sent a free copy of this book by the publisher. I have the 2017 paperback version.
Anna wants to find gold. Crocodile says it will be dangerous and difficult. "Good" says Anna "Let's go!".
This fun picture book is all about a child's imagination and is a bit shorter and wider than A4 size with thick glossy colourful pages inside. The story is a simple one, Anna wants to find gold and is determined but her friend Crocodile is the one who knows exactly how they should go about finding gold. So the two set plan and then set off on their adventure.
Although the story is about finding gold it also shows the power of a child's imagination and at the start only Anna and Crocodile are colourful in the pictures. Anything that is related to their imagination and their imaginary world is colourful, but the rest of the 'real' world is grey and white. The story is a quick one to read with some great repetition in the text which kids enjoy. As expected the two go on quite an adventure and some of the pages become double page spreads of just colourful scenes with no text.
The illustrations are all fun and the imagined things such as the boat and the world they enter looks like a child's drawing which is very fun and adds to the overall story of this being about Anna's imagination. Although the images are fun, the story does end a bit abruptly and I was left thinking 'Was that it?' and not many picture books have left me with that thought.
Overall I think this is a lovely picture book, especially for adults to read with kids, and really does show a child's imagination and the magic that can come from it, however I don't think children will understand this point, unless an adult explains this, and taken simply as a story for children to read (which is how I try to approach books for kids) it just didn't feel that exciting given the short ending. It really made me feel like a page or two was missing so a four rather than five starts from me.
Anna wants to find gold. Crocodile says it will be dangerous and difficult. "Good" says Anna "Let's go!".
This fun picture book is all about a child's imagination and is a bit shorter and wider than A4 size with thick glossy colourful pages inside. The story is a simple one, Anna wants to find gold and is determined but her friend Crocodile is the one who knows exactly how they should go about finding gold. So the two set plan and then set off on their adventure.
Although the story is about finding gold it also shows the power of a child's imagination and at the start only Anna and Crocodile are colourful in the pictures. Anything that is related to their imagination and their imaginary world is colourful, but the rest of the 'real' world is grey and white. The story is a quick one to read with some great repetition in the text which kids enjoy. As expected the two go on quite an adventure and some of the pages become double page spreads of just colourful scenes with no text.
The illustrations are all fun and the imagined things such as the boat and the world they enter looks like a child's drawing which is very fun and adds to the overall story of this being about Anna's imagination. Although the images are fun, the story does end a bit abruptly and I was left thinking 'Was that it?' and not many picture books have left me with that thought.
Overall I think this is a lovely picture book, especially for adults to read with kids, and really does show a child's imagination and the magic that can come from it, however I don't think children will understand this point, unless an adult explains this, and taken simply as a story for children to read (which is how I try to approach books for kids) it just didn't feel that exciting given the short ending. It really made me feel like a page or two was missing so a four rather than five starts from me.
March 5, 2018
Summary:
Finding gold takes planning, so Anna and Crocodile must plan well if they want to go on their dangerous and difficult adventure to find gold. First, they must practice their secret-keeping faces so no one else will know what they are up to. Then, to test her ability to carry the gold, Anna must lift Crocodile, because gold is probably not heavier than a crocodile. Gold is always hidden, so they must then draw a map of the whole world that has an “X” on it because that is where all the gold is (although not all gold is buried; some is sunken). They complete this planning and set sail to find sunken gold. Indeed, the adventure they have is dangerous and difficult, but they end up finding a load of gold in the middle of a great storm. Now, what will they do with it?
Activity:
Draw your own treasure map with an “X” that tells where the hidden treasure is, and write a short story that includes you, Anna, and Crocodile going on an adventure to find that treasure. You can take a train up into the mountains, travel across the desert, or fly high into the sky—be creative! Make sure you practice your secret-keeping face while planning!
Schwarz, V. (2016). How to find gold. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.
Finding gold takes planning, so Anna and Crocodile must plan well if they want to go on their dangerous and difficult adventure to find gold. First, they must practice their secret-keeping faces so no one else will know what they are up to. Then, to test her ability to carry the gold, Anna must lift Crocodile, because gold is probably not heavier than a crocodile. Gold is always hidden, so they must then draw a map of the whole world that has an “X” on it because that is where all the gold is (although not all gold is buried; some is sunken). They complete this planning and set sail to find sunken gold. Indeed, the adventure they have is dangerous and difficult, but they end up finding a load of gold in the middle of a great storm. Now, what will they do with it?
Activity:
Draw your own treasure map with an “X” that tells where the hidden treasure is, and write a short story that includes you, Anna, and Crocodile going on an adventure to find that treasure. You can take a train up into the mountains, travel across the desert, or fly high into the sky—be creative! Make sure you practice your secret-keeping face while planning!
Schwarz, V. (2016). How to find gold. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.
February 8, 2017
This is a cute book largely comprised of colourful pictures, a crafty crocodile and a curious little girl named Anna. Who seems to be really good friends with the crocodile; and so they set off on an adventure to find Gold.
The crocodile is an entirely friendly guiding hand for Anna on her quest to find treasures - I like the implication that he his keeping her safe, that she listens to him but also that it lets children know that not all predatory animals have to be scary. It's a cool message for young readers.
The story doesn't necessarily make sense exactly - there is a little girl wandering around, swimming in the sea and all sorts (with a crocodile no less) searching for Gold for no apparent reason. But who cares? These kind of picture books should be fuel for the imagination so I love how weird and wonderful this book dares to be.
The language is simple, and very matter of fact, which I enjoyed - this is also easier for newer readers to get their heads around so I was happy for this.
Overall, a really nice product. The pages are sturdy enough and the cover wipes clean fairly easily - not sure it would withstand anything too wet but grubby hands are okay! Definitely a fun read for beginners.
This product was provided to me from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my opinion of the product.
The crocodile is an entirely friendly guiding hand for Anna on her quest to find treasures - I like the implication that he his keeping her safe, that she listens to him but also that it lets children know that not all predatory animals have to be scary. It's a cool message for young readers.
The story doesn't necessarily make sense exactly - there is a little girl wandering around, swimming in the sea and all sorts (with a crocodile no less) searching for Gold for no apparent reason. But who cares? These kind of picture books should be fuel for the imagination so I love how weird and wonderful this book dares to be.
The language is simple, and very matter of fact, which I enjoyed - this is also easier for newer readers to get their heads around so I was happy for this.
Overall, a really nice product. The pages are sturdy enough and the cover wipes clean fairly easily - not sure it would withstand anything too wet but grubby hands are okay! Definitely a fun read for beginners.
This product was provided to me from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my opinion of the product.
March 9, 2020
This book was very informative in explaining how to prepare for a treasure hunt. I felt that the book provides an opportunity for readers to understand the equipment needed to take part in a treasure hunt and the importance of a map. I enjoyed that there was a theme of friendship between Anna and the crocodile, where the crocodile provided ideas to Anna in how to prepare for the treasure hunt, how to think and what to take. The book included the use of the animal as an acquaintance to the lead character, which I enjoyed.
May 22, 2018
Kids enjoyed the book.
The maps in this book were my favorite part - so funny. It could be used to discuss maps with children.
My favorite illustrations are the underwater ones.
There is a lot of text in this book so it is for longer story-times, and for kids who can sit through longer stories.
The maps in this book were my favorite part - so funny. It could be used to discuss maps with children.
My favorite illustrations are the underwater ones.
There is a lot of text in this book so it is for longer story-times, and for kids who can sit through longer stories.
February 16, 2020
I have lukewarm feelings about this book: I like that they go on an adventure to find gold and that they make this more about the journey than the destination, but the story is not memorable enough and I am also concerned about the final message that it might send to children: that they should not eat the cake after they worked hard for it.
October 18, 2017
I really enjoyed the sense of adventure in this book, and the childish joy of making up stories and exploring your imagination. We follow the little girl as she jumps into a drawing, so all of the illustrations have that hand drawn quality. Could definitely pull out lots of ideas from this book.
Plus, great to see a little girl of colour shown as the main character
Plus, great to see a little girl of colour shown as the main character
November 6, 2017
Wasn't crazy about this one. It is a lot of writing and, though I like the art style, more sparse art through the realistic sections. This is probably to create a noticeable juxtaposition between the realism and imagination aspects, but it just didn't really do anything that fantastic to my tastes.
June 11, 2018
A good story about using one's imagination; however I had no sense of how the crocodile and the little girl trusted each other and decided to find gold. The story had no clear opening/set up to make the reader identify with the characters or the premise.
Read
January 6, 2024A lot of text on one side of the page and illustrations on the other. The first part of the book had sparse illustrations but it got much better midway with the finding gold scenes and full page illustrations. Simple story of two friends on a search for gold.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2017
Friendship, adventure, treasure, and some humorous surprises along the way.
July 11, 2017
This would be a fun partner read. Story is entirely composed of dialogue.
-power of imagination
-power of imagination
July 21, 2017
The illustrations were cuter than the actual story about a girl and a dragon who search for gold.
December 27, 2017
Too much text for storytime
March 11, 2018
The illustrations are great! The text and overall story... not so much.
August 15, 2019
Definitely one for KS1. Imaginative and fun read about a girl and a crocodile looking for treasure - even though it's very dangerous! Use the story as a step to making maps.
November 16, 2019
Maps, Gold, searching.
December 17, 2019
A lovely engaging book for children of all ages!
April 5, 2020
good, a little long
February 3, 2022
It's a book about a girl named Anna and her crocodile friend who end up finding gold.
August 5, 2022
I love the dynamic between this girl and her crocodile friend. The lines are so subtly humorous, and it's delightful to see their adventures.
August 29, 2022
Anna and Crocodile go on a search for gold. It's an over-the-top adventure. One assumes they're playing make-believe but that's never stated.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews