Crocodaddy

by Kim Norman

Celebrate the imagination—and the love between father and son—with a fun, rhyming, and totally original picture book. On a hot summer’s day, a young boy playfully sets out on a “crocodaddy hunt” in the lake. Following the creature’s shadow, dark and wet, he’s soon taking a wild ride on the grinning croc’s back. And when they leave the water, something wonderful happens: Crocodaddy transforms into…just DADDY. Bright, energetic illustrations (complete with wily crocodile in Dad’s swim trunks) highlight the story’s humor and warmth.  

 

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Family, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 5, 2009

About the author

Kim Norman is the author of more than a dozen children’s books published by Sterling, Scholastic and two Penguin imprints. Titles include Ten on the Sled, (Sterling) which spent weeks on Barnes and Noble’s Top Ten bestseller list and has been released in Korean and German editions as well as appearing in Scholastic Book Fairs in schools around North America. I Know a Wee Piggy, was reviewed in the New York Times, and is listed on the Texas “2x2 Reading List,” as well being offered by Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Kim has a long history of theater & musical performing, which she enjoys including in her school visits and presentations. Songs and videos on her website, kimnormanbooks.com

Reviews

[Edward Sojuwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crocodaddy is a unique blend of Seuss-esque rhyming style and Steve Irwin's croc-obsessed wit and humor. A small boy plays Crocodile Hunter with his best bud, a totally BYOOTIFUL ANIMAL he calls Crocodaddy. CRIKEY WHAT A GORE-GEOUS CREATURE to have fun with, to ride on like a water polo board, to tickle the kneecaps, to even give a hug to!!! This book leaves the reader in awe....AWWW THIS IS CUTE!!! So buttery with love, you could call it.. COUNTRY CROC SPREAD? Cos this is the real croc o' butter, not fake margarine! You will love the croc daddy of all mack daddies!!! Surpassing even Lyle--how CRIKEY can that be!
Four stars
A croc-with-kissy-lips NOW!!!

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute! I liked the foreshadowing with the duo's reflections on the first page of the story - it helped me be less confused by everything. I definitely played variations of this game with my mum when I was little!

[Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute. Even cuter when my husband read it to our son.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrgh it does not scaaaaaaaaaan!

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't recommend this book. I wouldn't want any child to get the mistaken idea that's it's a good idea to hunt and tackle crocodiles.

[K.G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute read with a great rhythm. My little one all but bobs along to it.

[Paige Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was fairly confused the entire time I read this book. The story starts off super cute about a boy and his dad going swimming, then next thing I know the boy is playing with a crocodile then back to his dad. I am still a little unsure how I totally feel about this piece.

[Shel]

Norman, K. (2009). Crocodaddy. New York: Sterling.



9781402744600



Through rhyming couplets, Crocodaddy shares the story who, while visiting a pond hunts and plays with the huge Crocodaddy that lurks in the water. This is a first-time partnership between author Kim Norman and illustrator David Walker. They co-created this light and imaginative story well.



Because of the pleasant and happy expressions on both the young boy and Crocodaddy’s faces, readers know for certain that there is no danger involved. The boy is safe and having fun tussling with the huge Crocodaddy. The illustrations overall are light and fun with good use of color. They also include subtle hints about the identity of the crocodaddy.



This picturebook could also be presented as a slight mystery. Who is that Crocodaddy that the boy must wrestle? But more than that, it’s a good father-son bonding book (although daughters would enjoy it too!) that shows the importance of imagination.





Activities to do with the book:



Crocodaddy would be wonderful for toddlers and as a read aloud for the youngest of children learning to read.



While I’m not certain I’d share this with young kids right before they dive into a pond, this book could be good to help encourage kids to get ready for bath time or a pool party.





Favorite Quotes:



“Down in the pond by a mossy rock,

something slithers past the dock.

Minnows dart with startled jerks—

This is where the Crocodaddy lurks!”



“Fearlessly, I step in front,

captain of the Crocodaddy hunt!”



For more of my reviews, visit sjkessel.blogspot.com.

[Teacher. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crocodaddy by Kim Norman and illustrated by David Walker is one of those books that we fell in love with at my house. A rhyming story about a young boy whose imagination makes him believe that his father is a crocodile, this story is charming and sweet. The illustrations are beautifully done to show a father and son playing in the water, but cleverly showing a croc’s body (sometimes with dad’s swim trunks and shadow). The rhymes are perfect with splashes and roars punctuating a rhythmic day at a good old swimming spot.

There is just a lot to love about this book. It may not win awards or get on any best seller list, but it’s a treasure to read, especially if you are a father reading to your son. My Lil Guy loves to laugh about this one with his dad. There is something about the book that makes the reader feel like they are in on a secret, which is fun and gives a sense of confidence to the youngest “readers”. Maybe it’s also the beautiful pictures of a young boy spending quality time with his dad that also make this book appealing. Either way, I recommend Crocodaddy to fathers and sons, families who value quality time, reading books, and sharing a laugh.


Reviewed here @ my Blog: Teacher.Mother.Reader

[Amydeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My four year old went nuts over this book! I mean really crazy over it. Of course what boy doesn’t like crocodiles right? Especially when they include daddy!

We talked about crocodiles all day after! My three year old finally grabbed the book and it hidden in her room (of course I know where it is!) Even my one year old thinks the book is great!

We loved the illustrations in the book! It was captivating and creative. I love the way Walker hid the crocodaddy in there, and the fact that my son figured it out really showed me that this was a good book! We love the rhythmic words that keep them bouncing to it while we read it. We love the fact that it shows a fun and adventurous relationship between daddy and child (since EVERYONE lovvvvvvvveeeeessss daddy! )

I think Crocodaddy is a fantastic book for young children — We’ve read it several days in a row now, and I think it will be going strong for a while!

[Dawn Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorable story by Kim Norman reminds us of the great adventures many of us had withour dads. I remember as a little girls swimming in Lake Erie with my dad. Who didn’t love to pretend their dad was a crocodile or a shark swimming under the water. I can still remember my heart pounding as I fell deep into that make-believe world and he’d swim around circling me from under neath the water. I remember watching my husband play the same game with my daughters when they were young as well.
It amazes me that no one teaches fathers to play this game. They just seem to know that the adventure and excitement of it is something all children love.

I love the way this book takes the little boy’s imagination and brings it into a story that all children can enjoy. -

I used the book in "Bilbe Lessons Using Children's Literature" Read more at:
http://dawnstephensbooks.com/2009/10/...

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little boy and his dad go to the lake to swim and the boy is determined to find and tame the crocodaddy. He rides on the back of the crocodaddy and finally in the end he catches him!! As they walk back kids see that the dad is actually the crocodaddy.

I loved this story!! The dad and the son are so endearing! There is a lot of rhyming and descriptive verbs and adjectives. The illustrator is right on with the story as well! Teachers can incorporate the rhyming and descriptive words into their lesson plans.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. A good one to have on hand for my Father's Day theme. The rhyming flows well enough. Illustrations are cute. I think the kids will enjoy it, especially the idea of dads being crocodiles.

6/11/14: I should have pointed out the dad's crocodile shadow at the beginning. They didn't catch on that daddy was the crocodaddy until I pointed it out at the end. The late revelation took away the fun and comprehension of the book for them, I think. That and perhaps they weren't sold on my theme. Poor Dads. Oh well. They LOVED the tie-snake craft.

[Moira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a charming story and perfect for younger children. Dads will love it too because it's a wonderful celebration of the father-son relationship. The story is rhythmic and lyrical and the illustrations are lush and magical. The best part [SPOILER ALERT:] is that the revelation that daddy is the crocodile is subtle and makes it great fun when the child figures it out! Really a brilliant piece!

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A boy and his father visit a pond for swimming. The little boy begins to imagine his father as the "crocodaddy." He sees the crocodaddy's shadow in the water, creeping up on him. He takes a ride on the crocodaddy's back.

Well-done illustrations deserve close examination and the illustrator has cleverly drawn in a few tricks for readers' eyes.

[Drew Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a boy and his dad go swimming at the pond, the saga of the hunter and the crocodaddy begins.

I always like a book that features the daddy, and this one was fun and imaginative, especially when it's able to make a crocodile in the swamp something not to be terrified of. There's a great rhythm and rhyme to the text and the illustrations are really appealing.

[Dianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those books that is great as a picture book, but I'm not sure why they made it into a board book. The concept of Daddy as a crocodile is cute, but a little abstract for the board book audience. My 19-month-old was excited about it because it had "daddy" in the title, but disappointed because he couldn't see the daddy on every page.

[8feetahead · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute read about a boy playing crocodile hunter with his dad. My son is quick to pick up any book with a crocodile in it but this one didn't really hold his attention. He is 5 and I think it was just a bit too simplistic for him. He probably would have loved it a year or two ago.

[Misty · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute read about a boy playing crocodile hunter with his dad. My son is quick to pick up any book with a crocodile in it but this one didn't really hold his attention. He is 5 and I think it was just a bit too simplistic for him. He probably would have loved it a year or two ago.

[Jessica Vu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun book with an imaginative tale of a boy who rangles a crocodile! You could read this and ask children to write their own imaginitive story.
This is a great book to read during the summer.
A must read for Rhyming!

[Jessica Chambliss · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book could be confusing for children but helpful for rhyming. The book is constantly rhyming and children can use their imagination to understand what their experience with animals. This book has lots of colors and teaches children to have no fear.

[Alexis Levine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crocodaddy is an imaginative and fun story. The story rhymes throughout in a creative fashion. The illustrations are extremely cute and captivating. I just loved this story all around for playful reading.

[Gala · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book about a boy and his imaginary crocodile was a fun story. Children can learn sounds of words with the rhymes in this story. This book can be used for reading, writing, and blending words. Age four and five.

[Thu Nguyen]

I would choose this book to read on Father's day, but Father's day is in summer :( Then I would use this book in Family theme and talk about relationship between children and dadddy. This book could open a discussion about what activity children like to play with their parents.

[Chinasa Izeogu · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kid had a great imagination. He's out swimming in the lake with his dad that he sees as a crocodile. I can just hear the noises and personification the dad takes on to help his soon see him as a croc.

I would use this book for a crocodile or father's day storytime.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun story of a boy who is wrestling a crocodaddy and telling you how to catch one. Very cute fun book about playing with daddy. Ages 3+

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great rhythm and rhyme! This would be fun book for a theme or Alligators and Crocodiles or Dads!

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute, I guess, but it didn't do much for me...

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a sweet story with a great rhyming text and nice illustrations. Sure to be a fave among some kids.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute rhyming story. Would work for younger (1 1/2 yrs maybe and up). My 3 1/2 yr old liked it.