Book Review: I, Crocodile, by Fred Marcellino

     "And a crocodile," he bellowed. "I must have a crocodile."

     Suddenly some bozos with funny hats and a big net were all over me.

Summary:

This is the story of a particular Nile crocodile, told by the crocodile himself. He lives a contented life in Egypt, a life of crocodilian leisure, until one day a famous stranger arrives, and his idyllic life is uprooted. He finds himself one of the objects Napoleon wishes to take back home to France. Once there, he lives a new life of leisure, with some celebrity thrown in, and he comes to love this life as well. But when Napoleon's interest wanes, the crocodile is in danger of being dinner, instead of eating dinner. What is a captive crocodile to do? How will he possibly escape this culinary fate?

With pictures that complement the text perfectly and add even further detail to the story, the reader gets a very sharp picture both of the crocodile's personality and feelings, and of the unusual situations he finds himself in.

For Teachers and Librarians:

I, Crocodile is so much fun. Your students will delight in either hearing or reading this story, with the crocodile's humorously narcissistic ways, its love of eating, and its smug, self-satisfied mannerisms. But, beyond a funny story, it is also an excellent teaching tool for you. From the history angle, there is Napoleon and his famous conquests and collections, and his invasion of Egypt. You could delve into a bit of basic anthropology: the ancient Egyptian's propensity for crocodile worship, and ancient Egyptian treasures such as the Spynx, obelisk, and temples. How about some earth science, discussing the Egyptian landscapes and plant and animal life?Science can fit in with some discussion of the crocodilian diet and habitat needs. Or how about travel methods in the late 1700's: ocean ship voyage, horse-drawn coach, and horseback? You can even touch on a bit of French history at that time: Paris, fountains, Napoleon and his collections and exploits, French Fashion, food, etc. You can even talk about how this book pokes fun at that old, persistent rumor of crocodiles living in the sewers. So. Fun and educational! How can you possibly resist?

Scroll down to "Wrapping Up" in this post, for a link to a video you can use for your own edification, as well as share with your kids.

For Parents, Grandparents and Caregivers:

You and your kiddos will thoroughly enjoy I, Crocodile. The crocodile tells his own story. He is at times smug, at times narcissistic, at times sentimental, but always funny. There's even a bit of poetic justice thrown in at the end, which will have both of you giggling, for sure. If you read the teacher section above, you've already noted the educational aspects - which might spur a trip to the library to get some books on the subject, or a fact-finding mission online. Definitely a book you'll be glad you shared with them!

For the Kids:

Can you imagine a crocodile sitting down to tell you a story? That is exactly what happens in I, Crocodile, but don't worry - he doesn't want to eat you. He just wants to tell you all about what happened to him when his perfect crocodile life was totally turned upside down when a little man on a big white horse decided he wanted to take the crocodile home. All the way from Egypt to France! For a while, the croc is doing great - until the little man (Napoleon) decides the crocodile isn't so great anymore, and our crocodile friend is in danger of becoming dinner! Does he escape this awful fate? What happens next? Better go find this book, so you can find out.

For Everyone Else:

I, Crocodile is a work of art, both in picture and in story. Pay close attention to the pictures, as they tell even more of the story and may even provoke a few giggles at the situations presented. A fun diversion for adults, even if you don't usually read books for the little guys.

Wrapping Up:

I, Crocodile isn't your typical picture book - it has a bit of a twist in both story and picture. To see and hear the story come to life, as well as hear the late author discuss the book, click this link: Pulcinella Press. Scroll down to the end, and you'll see a video near the right hand side of the page which you can click to view (it opens into a new, small window). There are links in the last of the text on the page, as well, where you can choose to watch it in either QuickTime format, or Windows Media format. Well worth the 7+ minutes it will take to view! And kids can watch it, too.

Title: I, Crocodile

Author and Illustrator: Fred Marcellino

Pages: 40

Reading Level: Ages 4-8

Publisher and Date: HarperCollins, September 8, 1999

Edition: 1st Edition, Third Printing

Language: English

Published In: United States

Price: $15.95

ISBN-10: 0062051687

ISBN-13: 978-0062051684

Author Spotlight: Fred Marcellino

Fred Marcellino's career included abstract impressionist painting, designing, album cover art, book cover art, children's book illustration, and children's book illustration and writing - in that order. 

He was born October 25, 1939, in Brooklyn, New York. At age 13, he and his family moved to Bayside, in Queens, New York, where he graduated from Bayside High.

He began his art career as an abstract expressionist painter. After earning degrees from Cooper Union and Yale, and studying abroad in Venice in 1963 under a Fulbright Scholarship, Mr. Marcellino returned to the United States and became a designer and illustrator. His main focus was LP cover art, and by 1969 he was creating album covers for Capitol, Decca and Polygram.

In 1975, he entered the book publishing world, producing 40 book jackets per year for the next 15 years - winning many awards for his work along the way. But it wasn't until the mid-1980's that he turned to the children's book field to focus on picture book illustration. He won a 1991 Caldecott Honor for Puss in Boots - his first full-color picture book - and received many other honors for his children's book illustrations. On the subject of narrative illustration, Mr. Marcellino once said,

"...each picture is a link in a chain, and they all exist in counterpoint with the text. And although you want each picture to have impact, just like a jacket, the book illustration can also be more subtle. It can be pondered and savored over a period of time. It's a very different discipline from what I was used to, but I must say it was love at first sight."

He extended his career into writing with the publication in 1999 of I, Crocodile, the first book he both wrote and illustrated. It was a huge critical and commercial success, garnering many awards and honors.

Fred Marcellino was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1998. At the time of his death on July 12, 2001, he was working on an I, Crocodile sequel: Arrivederci, Crocodile, or See You Later, Alligator. Sadly, it remained unfinished.

Sources:

Fred Marcellino - Wikipedia

Pulcinella Press -  About Fred Marcellino

Authors and Illustrators: Fred Marcellino

An Interview With Fred Marcellino

It's Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day!

This totally fun day comes around every January 28th (or 26th, depending on the source). Now, in case this caught you unaware, and therefore unprepared with your very own sheet of bubble wrap, I found this awesome solution: click on the link below, and pop away! Though it's virtual, it's almost as much fun as the real deal (trust me - I downloaded the Bubble Wrap app to my cell phone, and I love it!):

The Original Virtual Bubble Wrap

Not only can you pop virtual bubble wrap on this site, but you can also:

• E-shop for some cool merchandise to proclaim your love of bubble wrap to the world
• Learn some methods and styles for popping bubble wrap
• Discover how to identify the different types of bubbles on your real-world bubble wrap sheet
• Find out about Bubble Wrap Etiquette 
  
• Download some bubble wrap desktop wallpaper
• Read "some interesting information about Bubble Wrap"

What are you waiting for? Whether virtual or real-world, go on! Get popping!

They Make a Bra for Cars, So Why Not?

Life used to be so simple. When I was a little girl, I knew bras were for the support of that part of me that seemed destined to be forever flat, which therefore rendered bras unnecessary. And I was cool with that. But nature eventually kicked in, and I had to face the fact that a bra was indeed necessary. I lived in this blissfully simple one-purpose-and-one-purpose-only-for-a-bra world...until I got my first car. 

It was a sports car (not extravagant, but it was my baby), with a front spoiler, and so that the paint wouldn't chip, I asked the parts guy at the dealership for a car cover for the spoiler. He stifled a grin and said, "Oh, you need a bra." My face turned 52 shades of red and, thinking he had somehow misunderstood, I repeated my request. S-l-o-w-l-y. But I got the same answer: "You. Need. A. Bra." Before I could tell him exactly what I thought of his cheek (because I was wearing one, thankyouverymuch), he held up one finger and then went back to the shelves. When he reappeared, he was holding the black leather cover I envisioned for the front of my car. I grabbed it, and looked it over. The packaging said clearly, "car bra."

Well. Color me confused. And red. Very very red. (Not to mention excruciatingly aware of being the only woman in the parts department.) So, after Parts Guy accompanied me out to my car and showed me how to put on my "bra," I zipped out of there as fast as I lawfully could, and tried to put things into perspective. OK, so a bra was for my own support up top, but, like, a bra was also a front spoiler protector for my car? Hmmm. That was where the headlights were. Did that mean my car was a girl?  

So, life got a little more complicated, but I handled it. And it all was cool. Weird, but cool.

But now here I am, mumble-mumble years later, and my slightly modified world view has been rocked again. All this time, I thought bras had two purposes: mammary support, and car protection. But, no. There is another...

...derriere support.

You read that right. They call it the Butt Bra. AKA "bottom enhancer." AKA "padded panty." And, just like the original bra worn up north, they come in different varieties, too. One type looks like a little set of seat belts - one wrapped around the waist, and two others wrapped around each cheek. (Just strap yourself in.) Another looks like a girdle, but with a significant, umm, breezeway built in around back. (Not sure how that one works.) Still others look like girdles, but have padding sewn in back (with model names that are nothing if not creative: "Buttilicious," "Bootyfull," and "Unbuttlievable" to name a few). 

But wait! There's more: if you don't want to go the support route, preferring to be unencumbered by straps or constriction, you can just get yourself some squishy silicone "butt pads." Yep. Peel and stick 'em, just like you do with their cousins for up north. Yes, really. 

So, a bra for the usual. A bra for your car. And a bra for your bum. Yeesh. I hope this is the last of 'em. My life is complicated enough.

Book Review: Pete & Pickles, by Berkeley Breathed

Pete was a perfectly predictable pig.

He was also a perfectly practical pig.

And a perfectly uncomplicated pig.

Being all those perfect things, Pete might have run for the hills if he had known what was coming that night.

Summary:

Pete is a very orderly pig. He likes to have things just so, and bristles when things get out of whack. But he also harbors a sadness in his heart, and suffers nightmares on stormy nights. One such night, Pete is startled from his usual nightmare by a late-night visitor: a fugitive elephant from the circus, named Pickles. When a clown comes looking, Pete rats her out, and the clown leads Pickles away. The next day, Pete is cleaning up and finds a dandelion - a gift left behind by Pickles. "Ridiculous," he muttered. He goes about his usual day, until that afternoon. While on his usual short walk, clutching Pickle's dandelion, he sees a circus tent. And then, Pete's life begins to change.

 

For Teachers and Librarians:

Pete & Pickles is a sweet story that will hold your little people's attention, and their hearts. When reading it aloud, be sure they all have a good view of the book, as the words and pictures work inextricably to tell the whole story. Pete is a pig who lives alone, grieving his deceased wife and moving through life by simply going through the motions. But then Pickles comes into his life, turning his orderly existence upside down. It is a story about friendship, and love, and big changes. And though Pete goes through trials and scary moments, he comes to find that big changes can bring much happiness. 

You could easily use this book as a springboard into a friendship unit: things friends do for each other, stuff friends do with each other, how friends feel about each other - from happy to sad to mad and lots of other feelings in between. Use it as a step to soothe children facing a big change in their life that they're unsure of, to show that it might be hard, and scary, but that change can be good. And of course, use it as a lovely story for a simple read aloud. There are lots of possibilities, here. Which will you choose?

For Parents, Grandparents and Caregivers:

Your little guys will love Pete & Pickles. It will remind you somewhat of The Odd Couple in that Pete the pig and Pickles the elephant are such opposites: Pete is small, Pickles is big. Pete is orderly, while Pickles is not. Pete likes routine, but Pickles craves excitement and new adventures. But, it is ultimately a story about love, and friendship, and change, and the very big things a friend will do for a friend in need. When you read this, be sure your kiddos have a good view of the pictures, and be prepared for them to break into your reading as they notice all the little things nestled into the illustrations, and how the illustrations tell even more of the story that the words don't say. It is a story they will cherish long after they're not so little anymore. And so will you.

For the Kids:

Have you ever heard of a pig and an elephant being friends? If you read Pete & Pickles, then you will find out! Pete the pig meets Pickles the elephant when she hides in his house in the middle of the night, escaped from the circus. (She tries to hide under Pete's couch! Can you believe it?) The circus sends a clown to come get her, and Pete is glad. But, the next day, Pete finds himself searching for Pickles, and then they have lots of adventures together, until one day they argue. And then something happens, and Pickles finds herself in quite a pickle. What happens to her? Will she be saved? And what happens to Pete? Better go get the book and find out.

For Everyone Else:

Pete & Pickles is one of those books. You know, a kids' book that you'd swear was sending a message to all the adults out there, too. And it is. But the great thing is, this book can touch you no matter how old you are. It is a story that will pull you in, remind you of similar times in your own life, make you sad, make you smile, make you hope, make you laugh, make you worry, and flood you with relief. And then, it will make you smile all over again. Find it. Borrow it. Pretend you're buying it for a kid you know (instead of yourself), if it will make you feel better. But get it. Read it. You won't regret it.

Wrapping Up:

Pete & Pickles is a story of love, friendship, change, fun, discovery, and caring. Pete the pig and Pickles the elephant will find their way into your heart, and set up camp there for a long time to come. From Breathed's carefully chosen words, to his evocative and detailed illustrations, Pete & Pickles is a book that you will definitely want gracing your own personal bookshelf. No matter how old (or young) you are.

Title: Pete & Pickles

Author and Illustrator: Berkeley Breathed

Pages: 48

Reading Level: Ages 4-8

Publisher and Date: Philomel, October 16, 2008

Edition: 1st

Language: English

Published In: United States

Price: $17.99

ISBN-10: 0399250824

ISBN-13: 978-0399250828

Author Spotlight: Berkeley Breathed

Berkeley Breathed's career has taken a long and artistic path: cartoonist, director, screenwriter, and children's book author/illustrator.

Mr. Breathed is probably best known by teens and adults for his cartooning and comics career - and especially as the artist behind the beloved character Opus. He also inked what he has called "the comic strip that never was:" the cartoon art (titled "Walter and Jasmine") for the film Secondhand Lions. He has also written for several publications including Life, Boating, and Travel and Leisure. But kids know him best for his seven children's books - some of which feature Opus.

Born June 21, 1957 in Encino, California, and raised in Houston, Texas, Berkeley Breathed lives with his wife and children in Southern California.

Sources:

Berkeley Breathed Official Site

Berkeley Breathed - Wikipedia

The Interview: "Opus's" Berkeley Breathed

Berkeley Breathed - Answers.com

Funniest Thing I've Seen All Week

Have you seen this? Ellen is talking to Gladys Hardy. Well worth the 6+ minutes: