Sunday, January 8, 2023

8. Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile


Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile. Bernard Waber. 1965. 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: This is the house. The house on East 88th Street. Mr. and Mrs. Primm and their son Joshua live in the house on East 88th Street. So does Lyle. Listen: Swish, swash, splash, swoosh! That's Lyle... Lyle the Crocodile.

Premise/plot: Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is the second book in the picture book series by Bernard Waber. Lyle's adventures and misadventures continue. The main 'story' of this one is the one-sided conflict with their neighbors--Mr. Grump and his cat Loretta. It is a BIG conflict. No matter how much Lyle wants to make friends, well, these two aren't having it. Mr. Grump even manages to have Lyle taken away to the zoo!!!! Will Lyle ever be reunited with his family????

My thoughts: I love and adore this one!!!! I do. It is such an AWESOME read. I enjoyed the first book. I did. But this one had me at hello. It was packed with action and adventure. The plot shares some similarities with the recent movie, however, it has some major differences as well. [Perhaps the powers that be thought it was too melodramatic how Lyle is finally able to make friends with the Grumps.] 

I highly recommend this one. It's never too late to go back and read picture books you may have missed out on. And of course, if you grew up with Lyle the Crocodile, it may be time to revisit these.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

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