The children were enthralled. Would Little Croc, in his determination to act with integrity, make it past mean Murdock? The cad wanted to steal the purse that Little Croc was turning in to the police station! And how about those lovely red boots–on special no less–and a cool glass of lemonade on a hot day? Surely he could borrow from the rightful owner . . . or could he? Then there was the panhandler . . . .
I loved reading this book to the children age five and up at our local day care. And perhaps they were as moved as I was near the end of the story when Little Croc gave Murdock his first present ever.
This story lends itself to dramatic reading, and the illustrations are a wonder. With just a few strokes, Lizzie Finlay portrays curiosity, pleasure, menace, effort–and the joy of a well made choice.