The Christmas Crocodile

by Bonny Becker, David Small (Illustrator)

Alice Jayne finds a crocodile under the tree on Christmas Eve. The Christmas Crocodile doesn't mean to be bad, but soon he is eating everything in the house, even the Christmas tree. Alice Jayne's family can't agree on what to do with the Christmas Crocodile, but Alice Jayne wants to give him a home. Will their Christmas survive if she does?

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Holiday, Childrens, Humor, Fiction, Animals

31 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Bonny Becker is the author of a number of award-winning picture books and middle-grade novels. She lives in Seattle.

Reviews

[Jan]

When you wanted a hippopotamus for Christmas, but you got a crocodile instead.

[Suzy Davies]

This story is original, and of course, we know that real crocodiles are dangerous, but this one is imaginary! The whole concept of the book captures the spirit of Christmas and how we might deal with a difficult, unusual or unwanted guest. The author makes the crocodile endearing by stating that he does not mean to be naughty. The crocodile's antics and the lengths folks go to to try to make him comforable make the story a good laugh. The cartoon-style illustrations are very good.

[Charlie]

I feel like a kid again after reading this book. AND sure glad I won this book thru Goodreads.com.
The illustrations and the story were just right for readers of all ages.
A nice book to have even though I had to read it on the ole computer.

[Rebecca]

Pretty hilarious. My son quoted it all the next day. It was fun to read as an adult, too!

It felt like they didn't know how to end it and just figured out a simple conclusion. But it didn't negatively impact the experience.

[Karol]

The illustrations are great. The story not so much.

[Diana Parker]

My students loved the illustrations in this book as the crocodile ate through everything in the house! Great read aloud and surprise ending!

[Samuel]

I liked it!

[RachelAnne]

Alice Jayne found the Christmas Crocodile under the tree on Christmas Eve. “He wore a red bow around his neck. It was lovely. Except he ate it.” Each member of this Victorian family has a different idea about what to do with the crocodile—who didn’t mean to be bad, not really—who is making havoc of the house. In the end, it appears to have been a case of the wrong address—but something has been left behind! Try this for a crocodile storytime or an out-of-the ordinary Christmas storytime. Ages 4-9

[Kathryn]

I really enjoyed some aspects of this book (the setting and era, the humorous cast of characters, the sensitivity ultimately shown by the family) but some I did not like so much--the ending made me a bit sad and uncomfortable I think the crocodile is supposed to be happy to go to the petting zoo but I just felt very bad for it, especially since the beginning of the book shows it being taken from its native home in the swamp

[Dolly]

This is a humorous story about a most unfortuate Christmas present. The family is at times charmed by, frustrated with and attached to a Crocodile who is discovered under the Christmas tree. The story is lively and the illustrations are hilarious.

We really enjoyed reading this story together and we loved searching for the cute little dog that can be found on almost every page.

[superawesomekt]

This children's book is so unique in the heavily merchandised twaddle that is most of the children's Christmas book market. The illustrations are superb and the story is simple enough to engage a young reader and sophisticated enough to entertain adults. A delightful read.

[Cathy]

The_Christmas_Crocodile? by Bonny Becker illustrated by David Small
AliceV Jayne found a crocodile under the tree. He ate the wreath, and the Christmas dinner roast, a big one. All the family said, To to the spare room with you, until know what to do" He ate through the door and gobbled up their treats, even Santa's cookies! He crawled to the next floor and found one cracked open and he saw, ten pink toes and he took a little bite and "AAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhh!!!" What a noise, Aunt Figgy screamed, there was one tiny drop of blood. Crocodile was banished to the basement, but he wasn't alone long. Alice Jayne shared her blanket and a linty candy cane. The rest of the family came down, they were all so kindhearted, they brought a robe, a hot water bottle and a fluffy comforter, he was almost asleep. The family dozed off and crocodile ate the basement and ate all his presents, he looked quite round. Alice Jayne opened a present and it had a letter in it and it said, "I hope you like your crocodile. Love, Uncle Carbuncle." But they had no Uncle Carbuncle!?! The doorbell rang and two men came inside and took the Crocodile out to their van and guess what was printed on the outside??? You'll have to read the book to find out!?! I loved this book anyone would get a kick out of the Christmas Crocodile didn't mean to be bad, not really???

[Kris Dersch]

I can't understand the draw of the book.
Here's a synopsis: family finds crocodile under their tree on Christmas Eve. They all want to get rid of him but youngest child says, hey, give him a chance. So they do and he eats their stuff.
Then they lock him up, but it's Christmas Eve so they feel sorry for him and bundle him all up and get all cuddly and you think you're in for a happy Christmasy ending...but nope, he just eats their stuff again. Then they find out they aren't supposed to have him so he goes away.
Am I missing something? My kid was totally confused...he was just like, mama, where's all their presents and Santa's cookies? I have no idea. Not a satisfying holiday read. Maybe I'm missing something.

[Roben]

It's Christmas Eve! And what should Alice Jayne find under the tree but -- a crocodile!? Who really truly doesn't mean to eat everything in her path... but does - even the cookies left out for Santa! And how did she get there, anyway? Ah - but that's all part of the surprise! Quite delightful with a lovely introduction by Nancy Pearl explaining her "crush". Thank you for shining a light on this one!

[Angela Lambkin]

WOW! What an unusual Christmas story!

I liked this unusual story and the illustrations but the print size could have been a bit bigger making it easier on the reader's eyes, don't you think so too. But because I thought was quite unique this is why I chose to rate this as a five star ebook. Thus, I wish to recommend this for kids ages 4-8 and or in grades P-2nd. I received this ebook for free by using KU and in return, here's my honest review. Great job Bonny! By Sunny.

[Elizabeth Edwards]

i read this cover book and it was a kindle version. very good. i mean this was so fun. i love crocodiles ... well not real ones, those need to stay away from me ... safe and sound but when they are illustrated ...it is just so fun to see them ... how the illustrator will draw them and what colors??!! well done. very cool. i would say please add it to your book collection. will make you smile every time. great any ole' time ... no matter the season.

[Julia Walker]

With delightful illustrations and witty writing, the reader is captured quickly and placed into the chaos brought on when a live crocodile is found under the Christmas Tree on Christmas Eve. This fast-paced, clever book will bring giggles and grins from all that participate. It is a terrific read-aloud story. What do you do with a crocodile in the house? How much will it need to eat before it falls asleep? For a limited time this is free on Kindle Unlimited but be prepared to buy a copy because you will want to read it over and over each Christmas!

[Emily]

This was a weird book that made me a bit frustrated, which is why I gave it 2 stars. It is about a family who finds a crocodile in their house and it eats all their Christmas gifts and other household stuff. They try and try to get rid of it and control it, but nothing works. It turns out that the crocodile was sent to the wrong place. This teaches responsibility in a weird way. Grades 3-5.

[Kristina Phelps]

Fiction
Grade Level: K-2
This book is one of my favorite Christmas stories and a family favorite in our house. It tells the hilarious tale of The Christmas Crocodile and a little girl named Alice Jayne who always gives him the benefit of the doubt. While this book doesn’t have the usual Christmas characters one might expect, it still creates the same nostalgic holiday feelings.

[Laura Bone]

This is my favorite children's Christmas book. I loved it as a kid and still love it now. The illustrations pair perfectly with the silly story. I'm so glad it was "rediscovered" and put back into print. I bought myself an updated hardback version as a Christmas gift this year. I look forward to reading it (and putting it on display) during Christmas for years to come! 🎄🎁🐊

[Kelley Perrigin]

Too cute!

My 3 year old niece loved this book. When we finished we discussed what the crocodile would eat if if came to her house. Instead of hiding under the bed it was going to eat the bed and she would help him.

[Nancy]

It is of course absurd to have a crocodile in a home. The little girl keeps saying the crocodile doesn't mean to do bad things, just like a child might feel about the things she does. The story is funny, and the adult responses are silly. Cute book.

[Lynn Davidson]

A crocodile was delivered to Alice Jayne and her family for Christmas. He didn't mean to be bad, really ... but, oh my! was he hungry!
This is an adorable story; funny, witty, wonderfully and hilariously illustrated.

[Elizabeth]

The Christmas Crocodile (Nancy Pearl's Book Crush Rediscoveries) by Bonny Becker – This is on kindle unlimited. A mis-delivered Christmas Crocodile gives this family a run for its money! Happy Holiday Reading!

[Erin]

This book felt all over the place to me. I was not willing to suspend my disbelief for this one. I liked how it played out in the end, but it felt a little ponderous getting there. I guess I'm not a fan of books where there are a bunch of adults acting stupid.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams]

I love the repeated line from this book "The Christmas Crocodile didn't mean to be bad, not really." It's a good book to read to remind us to refrain from judgment - to help plant the thought that people really don't mean to be bad.

[Clwseattle]

Very cute! A bit of a different Christmas story but great in its heartwarming absurdity! I loved the vintage style illustrations.

[Jeani]

A bit of a riot! We belly laughed more than once reading this. Pretty cute. I could see this being adapted into a funny little skit for kids.

[Kelly]

A crocodile shows up one Christmas and starts eating the family out of house and home!

[Bonnie Grover]

Such a fun story for Christmas. We used it for sketchnoting and thinking strategies.