Dial-a-Croc

by Mike Dumbleton, Ann James (Illustrator)

Vanessa makes a lot of money when she captures a crocodile in the Australian outback and gets him to work for her until the crocodile becomes homesick

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Mike Dumbleton is a writer and Literacy Consultant. He has worked in South Australian High Schools, New York City Schools and as a Literacy Curriculum Officer for the South Australian Education Department. In addition to children’s books, he has written a range of educational texts.

Part of his interest in writing stems from the fact that his grandfather was a local poet in an Oxfordshire village in England, who regularly recited his poems to the family, with or without requests!

Mike came to Australia with his wife Linda in 1972. He was always interested in writing but a young family and many sporting activities kept him fully occupied until he decided he wasn’t getting any better at basketball and his three children were old enough to allow him some uninterrupted time. He then began writing picture books at the same time as devising educational texts for teachers.

Reviews

[Freddie D]

I didn't like how this boom started, but I liked where it ended. Great to accompany some introductory conversations about animal rights - and maybe also Stockholm Syndrome!

[Alix]

The illustrations are good, but a little old fashioned - not as flashy as some new picture books. I am excited to use this for my preschool storytime though because I can dress up like Vanessa and I think that will add a bit of excitement to the reading of this book!

[Stardust]

A cute, funny, and thought-provoking children's book. I recently read it to some 1st graders and they really loved it.