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The Crocodile Under the Bed: The classic illustrated children’s book from the author of The Tiger Who Came To Tea
A magical new classic in the making from the creator of the beloved favourite, The Tiger Who Came to Tea. Once there was a little boy called Matty, and he was very sad… From the creator of the iconic picture books The Tiger Who Came to Tea and Mog the Forgetful Cat, comes a brand new story about joy, parties… and crocodiles! Matty is sick, and very sad because he’s too sick to go to the Queen’s birthday party! But when he gets an unexpected visitor, it seems that Matty might not miss out after all… Judith Kerr's book 'The Tiger Who Came to Tea' was a Sunday Times bestseller w/c 10-07-2023.
32 pages, Paperback
First published September 25, 2014
10 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Judith Kerr
117 books379 followersJudith Kerr was a German-born British writer and illustrator who has created both enduring picture books such as the Mog series and The Tiger Who Came To Tea and acclaimed novels for older children such as the autobiographical When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit which give a child's-eye view of the Second World War.
Kerr was born in Berlin but left Germany with her parents and her brother, Michael, in 1933, soon after the Nazis first came to power. They were forced to leave as her father, noted drama critic, journalist and screenwriter Alfred Kerr, had openly criticised the Nazis,who burned his books shortly after the family had fled Germany. They travelled first to Switzerland and then on into France, before finally settling in Britain, where Kerr has lived ever since. She subsequently became a naturalised British citizen.
Kerr was born in Berlin but left Germany with her parents and her brother, Michael, in 1933, soon after the Nazis first came to power. They were forced to leave as her father, noted drama critic, journalist and screenwriter Alfred Kerr, had openly criticised the Nazis,who burned his books shortly after the family had fled Germany. They travelled first to Switzerland and then on into France, before finally settling in Britain, where Kerr has lived ever since. She subsequently became a naturalised British citizen.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 29, 2019
A little boy is too unwell to go to a party so he stays in bed with grandad downstairs whilst the rest of the family goes. He is fed up he is missing out on the fun until he discovers a crocodile under the bed and they have some fun of their own.
This was a nice enough story but didn't feel anywhere near as exciting as a tiger turning up at your house for tea would.
This was a nice enough story but didn't feel anywhere near as exciting as a tiger turning up at your house for tea would.
August 10, 2019
When Matty is too ill to attend the Queen's birthday party with his family, the young boy is inconsolable, refusing to be comforted by any of his parents' suggestions for things he can do while home with his grandfather. Then a flying crocodile appears and escorts him to the birthday party of the leonine king of the beasts. Here he enjoys cake, and numerous fun rides provided by the animal guests...
This recent stand-alone picture-book from the prolific British children's author and artist Judith Kerr, creator of the wonderful stories about Mog the forgetful cat, as well as the autobiographical novel, When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit , displays a number of themes common in its creator's work. A somewhat surreal sensibility, the use of a fantastical dream (or non-dream) sequence to facilitate the adventure, appealing watercolor artwork - all these are present here, as they are in so many of Kerr's books. Recommended to fans of the author/artist, and to anyone looking for children's stories about being ill, and having to forego an anticipated treat.
This recent stand-alone picture-book from the prolific British children's author and artist Judith Kerr, creator of the wonderful stories about Mog the forgetful cat, as well as the autobiographical novel, When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit , displays a number of themes common in its creator's work. A somewhat surreal sensibility, the use of a fantastical dream (or non-dream) sequence to facilitate the adventure, appealing watercolor artwork - all these are present here, as they are in so many of Kerr's books. Recommended to fans of the author/artist, and to anyone looking for children's stories about being ill, and having to forego an anticipated treat.
September 1, 2015
The crocodile under the bed is the story of a little boy called Matty who is not allowed to get out of bed and go to a party celebrating the Queen’s birthday because he is too ill. Matty is not very happy about this because he thinks that he is going to miss out on cake and a big slide. Matty’s mother has called Grandpa over to babysit Matty and says that she will bring him back some birthday cake, Matty tries to argue with his Mother by coming up with possible conundrums, “What if I need to go to the loo?” or “What if there’s a great big enormous crocodile hiding under my bed?”
Matty’s family leaves and on that note a big green crocodile asks Matty if he would like to go to a special party. The crocodile fly’s Matty to meet other animals, all-celebrating the (Lion) King and (Lioness) Queen’s birthday in the jungle. Matty gets to eat cake and ride on the different animals including sliding down a giant snake. The crocodile quickly comes back to pick Matty up and to take him home because his family are on their way back from their party and they must find Matty in bed where they left him. Matty’s parents come home drenched and offer him some wet cake and condolences that the party was not very good, it rained and there was no slide and he didn’t miss out on much. Matty agrees with this and feeds his wet cake to the crocodile under his bed with a smirk.
This book was written by the author who wrote, ‘The Tiger Who Came To Tea” and it has the same style of beautiful illustrations depicting each page imaginatively.
The book is aimed at early years for class/group reading or key stage 1 guided independent reading. There is a fair bit of repetition in the book, “Grandpa will see to it,” which is good for building up confidence when reading and there is also the use of alliteration which again is good for phonics practice.
The story is imaginative and teaches about different animal characteristics, the chimp that jumps and the snake who slides. This would be a great book to start an animal project on; describing characteristics of different animals.
Finally the book tells the moral; just because you don’t always get your own way, it doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on your own fun, everyone needs a little alone time.
Matty’s family leaves and on that note a big green crocodile asks Matty if he would like to go to a special party. The crocodile fly’s Matty to meet other animals, all-celebrating the (Lion) King and (Lioness) Queen’s birthday in the jungle. Matty gets to eat cake and ride on the different animals including sliding down a giant snake. The crocodile quickly comes back to pick Matty up and to take him home because his family are on their way back from their party and they must find Matty in bed where they left him. Matty’s parents come home drenched and offer him some wet cake and condolences that the party was not very good, it rained and there was no slide and he didn’t miss out on much. Matty agrees with this and feeds his wet cake to the crocodile under his bed with a smirk.
This book was written by the author who wrote, ‘The Tiger Who Came To Tea” and it has the same style of beautiful illustrations depicting each page imaginatively.
The book is aimed at early years for class/group reading or key stage 1 guided independent reading. There is a fair bit of repetition in the book, “Grandpa will see to it,” which is good for building up confidence when reading and there is also the use of alliteration which again is good for phonics practice.
The story is imaginative and teaches about different animal characteristics, the chimp that jumps and the snake who slides. This would be a great book to start an animal project on; describing characteristics of different animals.
Finally the book tells the moral; just because you don’t always get your own way, it doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on your own fun, everyone needs a little alone time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2019
In this story Matty is sick and can't go to a very special party. Suddenly he hears the voice of a crocodile under his bed who flies him off to his own very special party. The story doesn't explicitly state whether this really happened or whether the boy was imagining and this can prompt interesting discussions about reality vs fantasy and the power of imagination. The story is full of amazing imagery, brought to life by wonderful illustrations. This can be used as a creative writing prompt as children use the ideas to come up with their own and explore how language can be used to create images in the readers mind.
This book reminded me of some aspects of "Where The Wild Things Are" and could be used as an interesting compare and contrast activity.
This book is suitable for KS1.
This book reminded me of some aspects of "Where The Wild Things Are" and could be used as an interesting compare and contrast activity.
This book is suitable for KS1.
June 4, 2020
Suitable for key stage 1/ lower key stage 2 - This is a story about a little boy who is too unwell to go to the Queen’s birthday party with his family. The boy gets very upset until he suddenly hears the voice of a crocodile under his bed. They fly off together to their own special party, where they meet lots of other animals and eat tons of good cake. The wonderful illustrations are brought to life with the use of great imagery and alliteration. Students can think of how language can be used to build the reader's imagination and the story can be used as a creative writing prompt.
November 15, 2020
Matty is too unwell to attend a big party for the Queen's birthday and this makes him mad and sad but when he is left with Grandpa a crocodile appears and takes him on a magical journey full of colourful animal characters.
Judith Kerr has once again created and illustrated a book to promote imagination and enjoyment around reading.
Judith Kerr has once again created and illustrated a book to promote imagination and enjoyment around reading.
July 23, 2022
ANIMALS
It's an understandable theme that Kerr has some fun with -- a kid misses a party because he's sick, but the crocodile takes him to a BETTER party. Imagination trumps reality! The illustrations are a little too delicate for me, but they do a good job at showing the boy's delight at all the rides, which are provided by animals. Which I guess is why this is in the animals section.
It's an understandable theme that Kerr has some fun with -- a kid misses a party because he's sick, but the crocodile takes him to a BETTER party. Imagination trumps reality! The illustrations are a little too delicate for me, but they do a good job at showing the boy's delight at all the rides, which are provided by animals. Which I guess is why this is in the animals section.
March 20, 2018
As my partner said, this book is a bit of a trip, but it completed enchanted SH, who sat still the while book and stared avidly at the pictures. Great stuff!
May 5, 2019
2yo loves it
October 15, 2019
not an easy book to read allowed.
March 25, 2021
A lovely story about a boy who was sick and couldn't join his family for the queen's birthday.
A wonderful story full of imagination and beautiful illustrations.
A wonderful story full of imagination and beautiful illustrations.
September 29, 2015
Judith Kerr's ability to tap into children's imagination is delightful. As we were reading this book, my students were horrified at first that the boy couldn't go to a birthday party. Truly unfair! They felt sad for him and you could see it in their faces. Then when the crocodile was under his bed they were a little bit scared. Those are dangerous animals. Then the crocodile took him to an even better party - of course! They loved the fun things that happened at the party. It seemed totally logical that a kid would end up at the King's party! In the end they all agreed that even though crocodiles are dangerous, they'd definitely keep this one!
November 10, 2015
Loved the story. Less than enthused about the illustrations.
January 9, 2016
Nice story but the illustrator can't draw people very well
January 9, 2016
Cute little adventure story. Fun for when a child is bored of being stuck at home sick. You can always have adventures!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews