Best Children's Alligator & Crocodile Books

In this Level 1 Scholastic Reader, Alfie learns that the best way to get a delicious cookie is to say please! For kids just starting to read, this cheerful title in the Scholastic Reader series is a combination of very simple sentences and bright, clear, colorful illustrations. He comes up with three funny tricks to get his treat, but it isn't until he asks politely that Mommy gives him what he wants--along with a big hug. For kids just starting to read, this cheerful title in the Scholastic Reader series is a combination of very simple sentences and bright, clear, colorful illustrations.

But the Darlings find themselves caught in the middle of a battle between Peter's gang of orphans, the Lost Boys, and a band of pirates led by the treacherous Captain Hook. Ever fond of children, he left the copyright for Peter Pan to a children's hospital in London to help fund treatments for ailing kids.

Like any swashbuckling young warrior, North seeks treasure and adventure, leading him to the fiercely guarded village of Santoff Claussen, said to be home to the greatest treasure in all the East, and to an even greater wizard, Ombric Shalazar. The Nightmare King and his evil Fearlings are ruling the night, owning the shadows, and sending waves of fear through all of Santoff Clausen. Before he was Santa, Nicholas St. North led an exciting life full of daring adventures. William Joyce interviews the future Mr. Claus about his past, the other Guardians, and what he thinks of the cast of colorful characters that live at the North Pole. Sandman, Man in the Moon, Tooth Fairy, the Egg guy, that Frost kid ... just terrific. The elves just play with the toys as sort of market testing ... to see if they're, you know, fun. The first book in The Guardians series hints at the origins of Santa Claus; here, a thievish rogue named. Nicholas St. North is drawn to the magical Siberian town of Santoff Claussen to defend it against Pitch, the Nightmare King. Though Santoff Claussen is saved, wizard Ombric Shalazar knows the battle with. Pitch and his shadowy Fearlings has just begun; having escaped after 1,000 years of imprisonment, Pitch. seeks to poison the dreams of all of Earth’s children. Ombric, impressed with North’s (repressed). goodness, recruits him for a quest to find five ancient relics that will defeat Pitch. Ombric’s adventurous. ward Katherine; a tiny, spectral boy named Nightlight; and a robot djinni join them. A battle in the. Himalayas ends well, with the band obtaining the first relic, but Pitch’s return is inevitable. Joyce’s. detailed illustrations capture the multitude of fantastical settings, weapons, and creatures populating this. fast-paced tale. Though occasionally sentimental and lacking in tension, especially when the power of. belief easily breaks evil spells and revives beloved dead wizards, the story’s inventiveness wins out. Like any swashbuckling young warrior, North seeks treasure and adventure, leading him to the fiercely guarded village of Santoff Claussen, said to be home to the greatest treasure in all the East, and to an even greater wizard, Ombric Shalazar. But when North arrives, legends of riches have given way to terrors of epic proportions! When our rebellious hero gets sucked into the chaos (literally), the fight becomes very personal. The Nightmare King and his evil Fearlings are ruling the night, owning the shadows, and sending waves of fear through all of Santoff Clausen. Nicholas St. North and The Battle of the Nightmare King is an enchanting story with a rich mythology and is set in a world that's full of legend, adventure and action. This is a story that will appeal to adult readers and engage young readers as they meet mythological creatures, learn about ancient legends and experience the magic of Nicholas St. North's story. It's an exciting read, with beautiful illustrations, and has a bit of a old fashion feel to it. The only compliant I have, and this is the adult reader side of me saying this, I didn't like that it took so long to introduce the the heroine of the story. It's such a fun, action packed, quick read that even a reluctant reader will enjoy it. 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Good triumphs over evil in this epic tale that takes the reader to a fantasy world inhabited by protective moonbeams, learned wizards, a guardian bear, etc. A moonbeam saves Nightlight, a spectral boy, from the Nightmare King who vows to steal the dreams of innocent children and replace them with night terrors. With the help of Nicholas St. North, a notorious thief, and Nightlight a village is able to ward off the Nightmare King. By incorporating icons such as Santa Claus and the Man in the Moon, mentioning the work of familiar artists such as da Vinci, and setting part of the story in old Russia, Joyce and Gerringer draw children into a world of fantasy grounded in reality. William Joyce’s magnificently creative illustrations, rendered in charcoal, graphite, and digital media have an old world feel that extends the text. Gr 4-6–A meteor strikes Earth and from the giant crater it creates, a tree grows. Soon the tree is large enough to house not only Ombirc, but a whole community of curious dreamers who live in harmony with nature and with one another. All is well in Ombirc’s small, idyllic village until Pitch, the Nightmare King, is released from his prison to spread his evil across the land and infiltrate Santoff Claussen. Enter the heroes, Nicholas St. North, a wandering bandit-turned-good-guy, and Young Tsar Lunar, last member of the Lunanoffs and the protector of dreams. Together with Ombric and Katherine, a young resident of Santoff Claussen, these forces defeat The Nightmare King. In fact, there may be so many strange people, places, and things that struggling readers may find themselves distracted from the story. That being said, the authors do a great job of creating excitement and intrigue, and for those who love to wend their way through extraordinary tales, this novel will not disappoint. The illustrations are wonderful charcoal, graphite, and digital renderings that convey all the magic and fear contained within the story. Fans of Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson’s Peter and the Starcatchers (Hyperion, 2004) may want to give this book a try. Streaks of preciousness mar, or at least mark, an “origins” tale framed as a monumental struggle between the King of Nightmares and a Cossack bandit plainly destined for a later career bringing gifts to children on Christmas Eve. Escaping 1,000 years of captivity, Pitch, the Nightmare King, has sent hordes of Fearlings out to darken the dreams of children worldwide and attacked the happy Siberian town of Santoff Claussen. Orchestrated by Tsar Lunar, the Man in the Moon, a small company sets out to gather the first of five ancient relics that will help defeat Pitch. The band is made up of kindly old wizard Ombric Shalazar (last survivor of Atlantis and inventor of “time, gravity, and bouncing balls!”); his ward, the intrepid young orphan Katherine; a mysterious elfin creature; and, last but not least, Nicholas St. North—an exuberant former bandit chieftain turned inventor who is “no longer a thief of treasures but a buccaneer of fun” thanks to Ombric's tutelage in magic and science. With help from an army of yetis led by the Lunar Lamas (who are quaintly described as “inscrutable” and also look identical in the accompanying illustration), Pitch is fended off in a great battle in the Himalayas, the relic is recovered and it's off to further episodes. A quick read, with plenty of rococo weapons, characters and creatures (notably reindeer).

Forget the bunny trail.…In this addition to the groundbreaking series from the legendary William Joyce, Guardian E. Astor Bunnymund is on the warpath. This second book in The Guardians series is about much more than fixing a few rotten eggs—it brings the Guardians one step closer to defeating Pitch! E. ASTER BUNNYMUND AND THE WARRIOR EGGS AT THE EARTH'S CORE. Author: Joyce, William. Illustrator: Joyce, William. A long-eared guardian with a corps of fierce, chocolate warriors helps to rescue the kidnapped children of Santoff Claussen village in this sequel to Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King (2011). When Pitch, the Nightmare King, sweeps all of the village’s children away to his lair at the Earth’s center, Cossack/mage Nicholas and his intrepid sidekick Katherine hie off to (where else?). There they solicit aid in their recovery from Bunnymund, last of the ageless Pookan Brotherhood and keeper of the second of the five Relics that must be gathered to ensure Pitch’s final defeat. Standing tall in designer shades and richly patterned robes, the “very egg-centric” but powerful lagomorph (inventor of Spring, jokes, chocolate and Australia) hops to. As in the previous episode, Joyce mines common European cultural motifs and lays clever twists and resonances on the result, for a tale as stylized and baroque as the occasional illustrations. Gr 4-6–Joyce weaves together imaginary beings, fictional characters, and references to real geographic places to create his fantasy world. He uses milk from an “intergalactic bovine creature that on occasion jumps over the Moon” or another chocolate concoction of “marshmallow made from the whipped eggs of Asian peacocks.” Still another chocolate is made with “cacao leaves that grow in the dark center of the great caves of Calcutta; it contains a pinch of mint from the ice caps of Mars.” Not only can he make delicious treats, but he can also travel through space and help the Guardians as they battle The Nightmare King. William Joyce does a lot of stuff but children’s books are his true bailiwick ( The Numberlys , Rolie Polie Olie , Dinosaur Bob , George Shrinks , and the #1 New York Times bestselling The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore , which is also his Academy Award–winning short film, to name a few).

--Kirkus Reviews "[C]aptivates children with poetry..." --New York Times "[A] tiny one-inch hatchling teaches the world about courage...utterly magnificent..." --San Francisco Chronicle "[B]aby turtle wins hearts everywhere, expect your kids to hug you tightafterthe first read...expect to be asked to read again and again andagain..." --USA Today "[I]'m coming Mama, I'll seeyou soon, Iknow just how, I'll follow the moon...we can't get babyturtle's song out of our heads...you wont be able to either...achinglysweet littlebedtime book for wee ones." --World Wildlife Fund "[S]tephanie Lisa Tara and Canadian illustrator Lee Edward Fodi have teamed uptocreate a lyrical rendition of a green sea turtle's first glimpse oflife. The atmosphere of a quiet but determinedstruggle tobreak free of the egg soon gives way to growing excitementas the turtle mingles with fellow hatchlings and catches his firsttemptingsensations: the smell of salt air, the sight of the moon'sglow, thegentle touch and beckoning sounds of the waves rushing toshore. The turtleis the focal point of all the pictures, with few background detailsadded.Theillustrator has carefully integrated the turtle's actions with Tara's verse which relies heavily on verbs: roll, slide,tumble......crawl, scoop, shove. From his gentle struggles to break free of his egg to his determinationtodig his way out of the sand nest, we follow the baby sea turtle on eachstep of hisinstinctive journey back to his loving mother..." Very highly recommended. "[I]'m coming Mama, I'll seeyou soon, I know just how, I'll follow the moon...we can't get babyturtle's song out of our heads...you wont be able to either...achinglysweet little bedtime book for wee ones." "[H]ats off to this turtle hatchling who has garnered millions of fans acrossthe planet...a tiny activist who is saving his own kind...bravo." "[S]tephanie Lisa Tara and Canadian illustrator Lee Edward Fodi have teamed up tocreate a lyrical rendition of a green sea turtle's first glimpse oflife. Written in simple verse in the first person, the rhythmic text is full of action and sensory detail and loaded with alliteration and onomatopoeia for an enjoyable read-aloud. The atmosphere of a quiet but determined struggle tobreak free of the egg soon gives way to growing excitement as theturtle mingles with fellow hatchlings and catches his first tempting sensations: the smell of salt air, the sight of the moon's glow, thegentle touch and beckoning sounds of the waves rushing to shore. "[F]ramed by endpapers of soft, limitless,undersea green, Fodi'sdelightful illustrations feature an animated and engaging baby emerging from an egg buried in golden sand. With other tiny turtles, he isshown plowing through the damp sand, sampling the salty sea air and marching unerringly toward the moonlight glimmer, his guide to the ocean. The illustrator has carefully integrated the turtle's actionswith Tara's verse which relies heavily on verbs: roll, slide,tumble......crawl, scoop, shove.

But when he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from the wild, he is forced to see their home, and his art, through new eyes. In the tradition of timeless stories like Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little , Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan's unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope. Gr 4–6—Budding fans and die-hard Ivanites alike will appreciate this sumptuous, oversize edition of Applegate's spare yet resonant Newbery Award—winning work, inspired by actual events, about a gorilla put on display at a mall and his journey to freedom. Bonus materials add appeal and context: Applegate's Newbery acceptance speech; a copy of the real Ivan's "autograph" (fingerprint); a letter from Jodi Carrigan, the zookeeper who helped care for Ivan at Zoo Atlanta (where he lived after leaving the mall); and sketches and illustrations that were considered for the original edition.—Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal ★ “Will capture readers’ hearts and never let go. Quite simply, this story is life changing.” (Patricia MacLachlan, Newbery Medal-winning author of Sarah, Plain and Tall).

Celebrate the power of friendship with Frog and Toad—a Caldecott Honor Book! The endearing pair hop along through five enchanting stories, looking for lost buttons, greeting the spring, and waiting for mail. Arnold Lobel's comfortable brown and green illustrations invite and delight every reader, setting the tone for warm, funny stories about friendship. If you need even more of Frog and Toad, don't miss Frog and Toad Together , Frog and Toad All Year , and Days with Frog and Toad .

An all-new storybook featuring Peppa -- a lovable, slightly bossy little piggy!

This classic story of a famished caterpillar who eats his way through a week of various foods makes the perfect addition to your child's digital library, easily available to read again and again. Put 42 pieces together to assemble Eric Carle's much-loved The Very Hungry Caterpillar jigsaw puzzle from Mudpuppy.

Inspired by the true story of a captive gorilla known as Ivan, this illustrated novel is told from the point-of-view of Ivan himself. In the tradition of timeless stories like Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little , Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan's unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope. Gr 4–6—Budding fans and die-hard Ivanites alike will appreciate this sumptuous, oversize edition of Applegate's spare yet resonant Newbery Award—winning work, inspired by actual events, about a gorilla put on display at a mall and his journey to freedom. Bonus materials add appeal and context: Applegate's Newbery acceptance speech; a copy of the real Ivan's "autograph" (fingerprint); a letter from Jodi Carrigan, the zookeeper who helped care for Ivan at Zoo Atlanta (where he lived after leaving the mall); and sketches and illustrations that were considered for the original edition.—Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal ★ “Will capture readers’ hearts and never let go. Quite simply, this story is life changing.” (Patricia MacLachlan, Newbery Medal-winning author of Sarah, Plain and Tall).

Magic Tree House: Adventures with Jack and Annie, perfect for readers who are just beginning chapter books Merlin Missions: More challenging adventures for the experienced reader Super Edition: A longer and more dangerous adventure. Fact Trackers: Nonfiction companions to your favorite Magic Tree House adventures. Amazon Best Books of the Month, January 2011: The first Magic Tree House book was written by Mary Pope Osbourne in 1992, introducing young readers to the clever sibling duo, Jack and Annie, and the magical tree house that transports them on important assignments throughout history. Armed only with their courage and a trove of research books, Jack and Annie have delighted and educated young readers with their heroic adventures in time.

A timeless American classic and one of the most beloved children’s books ever written, Old Yeller is a Newbery Honor Book that explores the poignant and unforgettable bond between a boy and the stray dog who becomes his loyal friend. When his father sets out on a cattle drive toward Kansas for the summer, fourteen-year-old Travis Coates is left to take care of his family and their farm. But can Travis do the same for Old Yeller?

The unlikely duo journeys halfway around the world to piece together an Indian prophecy, find a way to free the man trapped by a centuries-old spell, and discover the path to their true destiny. The last thing teenager Kelsey Hayes thought she'd be doing over the summer was meeting Ren, a mysterious white tiger and cursed Indian prince! The unlikely duo journeys halfway around the world to piece together an Indian prophecy, find a way to free the man trapped by a centuries-old spell, and discover the path to their true destiny. Houck: J.K Rowling ( Harry Potter Series), Chris Paolini ( Eragon Series), Stephenie Meyer ( Twilight Saga), John Steinbeck, Walter Farley, Jules Verne, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Orson Scott Card, and many more! I was fascinated with Chris Paolini’s story and when I found out he was such a young author and carried around his manuscript for four years before getting it published on his own, I was even more impressed with his grit and determination. I recently finished the Percy Jackson/Lightning Thief series which I loved and currently I’m reading The Life of Pi which I originally purchased because of the tiger on the cover, but I also have shelves full of books waiting for my attention. The next books on my list include Scott Westerfield’s Uglies trilogy, Alyson Noel’s Immortals series, and The Guardians of Gahoole by Kathryn Lasky. I originally self-published my first two books through Amazon and the reader comments created enough buzz to attract a film producer and interest from foreign publishers before I even had an agent, which I’ve learned is kind of unheard of! When 18-year-old Kelsey takes a job with a circus, she finds herself oddly attracted to the white tiger she has been hired to feed. Although her book—the first in a proposed series—is sometimes derivative, she tells a good story filled with chaste romance that will keep readers turning pages to the inconclusive ending.

In this classic of children's literature, beloved by generations of readers and listeners, the quiet poetry of the words and the gentle, lulling illustrations combine to make a perfect book for the end of the day. Perhaps the perfect children's bedtime book, Goodnight Moon is a short poem of goodnight wishes from a young rabbit preparing for--or attempting to postpone--his own slumber. In addition, an oversize board book edition of Goodnight Moon makes the great green room larger than ever, allowing readers to trace with ease the tiny mouse that appears in each spread.

Turkey is in trouble. The kind of trouble where it's almost Thanksgiving . He ties a brush on the back of his head and wears a tiny saddle because surely no one would eat a horse for dinner. When he hears Farmer Jake tell his wife that if they can't find the turkey, maybe they should eat the rooster for dinner, the protagonist comes up with the perfect ruse. A first choice for holiday collections.— Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME END "Stuffed with clever wordplay, groanable puns, and easy-to-ham-it-up animal sounds, the chuckle-inducing narrative makes a crowd-pleasing read-aloud.

And every time he got’emus... he'd fall upon his bottomus!” Calamity ensues when an elephant, a centipede, and a rhinoceros try finding a cure for Hippo’s colossal case of hiccups. "...It's hard to say what's better: the whimsical, rhyming text or the beautiful colored-pencil illustrations....with funny results.

It will encourage your children to be helpful, kind and considerate, to think for themselves in face of trouble, and to actively pursue their dreams. Tag along for the ride to four exciting journeys that will inspire your children to be open to different cultures, see new places and explore the world around them.

Beloved children's books author and illustrator Daniel Kirk wonderfully brings to life the story of Sam, a library mouse. Sam read so much that finally one day he decided to write books himself! During the day he sleeps, but at night he reads all kinds of books. This is ready-made to introduce a classroom writing activity, though some of the pictures are too small to be appreciated in a large-group readaloud. Cummins, Julie Daniel Kirk has illustrated a number of popular books for children, among them Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo!, which School Library Journal called “an instant hit with young children.” He has also both written and illustrated books, among them Snow Dude , which Booklist said “[crackles] with excitement and mischief . , which School Library Journal called “a lively trip that’s loaded with fun.” Daniel lives in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, with his wife and three children.