Mr. Crocodile has carefully planned out his day – he even wrote out a schedule – but everything goes awry when the mischievous monkeys arrive. Everywhere he goes, the monkeys follow and all Mr. Crocodile wants is to rid himself of the annoying creatures. That is, until he has a change of heart, decides to make friends and enjoy all their antics.

What Time is it, Mr. Crocodile? is the perfect volume to introduce young children to the concept of time. Each spread begins with the line “What Time is it, Mr. Crocodile?” (a line children will quickly begin shouting for you) and the artwork features a large, clear image of the clock with the time corresponding to Mr. Crocodile’s schedule.

Children will delight in the impish monkeys and the trouble they find while adults will enjoy the pacing on the answers and will quickly adopt a sing-songy tone:

“Time to capture my meal
as I sit at the wheel
of my marvelous
monkey-collecting mobile.”

Doug Cushman has hidden treats for adults in his illustrations; a copy of “Newton and the Law of Gravity” being dropped on the crocodile’s head and images which conjure memories of the rhyme “Five little monkeys bouncing on the bed, one fell off and bumped his head.”

The most delightful aspect of What Time is it, Mr. Crocodile? is Cushman’s illustrations. His vivid images bring the impish monkeys and grumpy crocodile to life and their vitality almost leaps off the page. Don’t be surprised if your little ones respond by wiggling and bouncing along with the monkeys.

Read the review at Armchair Interviews.

ISBN10: 0152058508
ISBN13: 9780152058500

Paperback
32 Pages
Publisher: Voyager Books
Publication Date: May 1, 2007

tags: books children’s book reviews picture book Judy Sierra Doug Cushman