AAAlligator!

by Judith Henderson, Andrea Stegmaier (Illustrator)

When a hungry alligator moves to their town, the residents want him out . . . until they get to know him (and learn what he’s actually hungry for!). A timely tale about empathy, acceptance and a community’s response to injustice.

Though he’s scared at first, a boy who encounters an alligator in the woods soon realizes that all the alligator wants is companionship – and leftovers – and the two become good friends. But the mayor of the boy’s town simply won’t allow it. He even makes an official proclamation, “NO ALLIGATORS! Blah, blah, blah.” The townspeople agree with the mayor. At first. But once they see how kind and helpful the alligator is (and how nice it is to have someone to eat all their leftovers!), they decide the alligator should be allowed to stay. They help the alligator avoid the mayor, for a while. But it’s becoming harder to find a place for him to hide. Can they all come together and find a way to keep the alligator in their town?

Judith Henderson’s funny, whimsical and heartwarming picture book tale offers a playful way to engage children with issues of injustice and civil disobedience. In this timely story, a boy and then an entire community move beyond their fear of the “other” and respond with acceptance; then they movingly take it a step further to make change. It highlights the positive character education attributes of empathy, kindness, caring and courage. Andrea Stegmaier’s illustrations include loads of charming details that are not in the text, making them a perfect complement to the story’s warm and quirky style. This is a terrific book for lessons on communities and social justice.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Friendship, Humor, Canada, Food

40 pages, Hardcover

First published October 6, 2020

About the author

Judith Henderson does a lot of stuff. She is an Emmy Award–winning composer, author, illustrator and TV producer. She wrote the Big Words Small Stories series, which was green-lit as an animated TV show. Her other books include Dee and Apostrofee, This Is a Dog Book! and AAAlligator! She lives in Montreal, Quebec.

Reviews

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is it okay for me as an adult to love this book forever?!

I am so much in love with this book!!! It gives me the good graphic novel vibes and heck, this is a children's picture-story book for godsakes!

This book come out to me as a huge surprise! The cover doesn't do justice at all I tell you.
The story is awesome, the illustration is just too good (it gives me the vision of seeing this book with a special collector's edition with hardcovers and all!). The content is just mind-blowing!

Everything about this book is too good to be true. Ok, I know I am going super crazy as a result of being super impressed by a children's book. But even if there's no kid to read this book to, this is the kind of book I would buy for myself to pick up anytime whenever I feel like having some TLC like when I feel fed up of just everything in real life.
I love the characters so much! At the moment I am so emotionally invested in them. I love Theodor, the alligator, so much!

I just love everything about this book.
Did I say that before?
Never mind.

This is the kind of book I want my kids to read to me.

I love this book so damn much!

Thank you #NetGalley for this book!

[La Coccinelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here's yet another book that minimizes the dangers of wild animals. It might be appropriate for kids in northern latitudes, but it could be problematic for kids in alligator country.

A boy encounters an alligator in the woods, saves it, and eventually befriends it. But the mayor decrees that no alligators are allowed. The townspeople disobey the orders, feed the alligator their leftovers, and everyone is happy. (Except for the mayor; the text implies that he gets eaten, although the pictures suggest something else.)

I don't find books like this funny. I worry that kids will get the wrong idea about wild animals, especially in cases like this where the animal isn't anthropomorphized very much. The townspeople weren't being bigots when they worried about an alligator in their village; they were simply being logical.

The illustrations are okay, and the text is well written. Some kids will probably enjoy this one. But I don't think I'd recommend it to anyone who lives in a place where there's even a remote chance of an alligator turning up in the backyard; the consequences of a child thinking an alligator is a friendly pet could be disastrous.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for providing a digital ARC.

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

This is a fun picture book about a boy who finds an alligator one day when he goes out for a walk. The alligator has its foot caught and is very hungry. The boy feeds him and frees him and they become good friends.
People in the town are scared of the alligator until the boy explains he is just hungry and lonely. The town work together to feed the alligator food but the mayor wants him gone.

This is a good resource for children to be taught about empathy and compassion towards others but I think that at the end there should be a message to not try to pet or feed a real alligator as they are dangerous animals.

[Tamar...playing hooky for a few hours today · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a real treat; the story is delightful, and the illustrations are magnificent. But more than that, there are at least a half dozen subjects that beg discussing with the young reader. A young boy finds an alligator trapped near the local small lake (big enough only for a small whale). Alligator’s legs are entangled by vines and it can’t break loose. Boy, recognizing that the Alligator is trapped and also hungry, tosses over his tuna sandwich and begins to sing a lullaby (variation of 🎵 Go to sleep, go to sleep…… 🎵). While Alligator is sleeping Boy releases the Alligator by cutting the vines. Boy basically adopts Alligator making sure to ask him at several junctions, not to eat him, or not to eat his stuffy, or not to eat the townspeople. Everything seems to be going fine although a moose did go missing. However, soon comes the pointy teethed Mayor (dressed menacingly in a black and grey pinstripe suit with black top-hat and three day stubble shadow on his grimacing chin). The mayor issues a proclamation banning alligators although the boy convinces the townspeople that alligator is really a good guy (useful) who will eat all their leftovers. Townspeople ignore proclamation and bring all their leftovers…Mayor will not budge on proclamation…townspeople help Alligator hide and make a whale costume before dropping him into the lake….Mayor disappears. New mayor is elected….you can relax, moose is found…but author is silent on the whereabouts of 1st mayor!

Do you see where I’m going here? Mayor makes a proclamation, no discussion. People break the law. People take matters into their own hands and hide a fugitive.

OK OK this is a children’s book but there are certainly subjects worthy of discussion. Dangers of chilling with alligators is only the most obvious (maybe the Mayor had a point). I don’t know if analogy of tolerance to alligators is the equivalent to tolerance for “the other” in this allegory. There are also lessons in democracy, law and order and more to be found - all hidden in this beautiful little story.

Thank you Edelweiss and Hatchett Book Group, for the opportunity to read AAAligator!, by Judith Henderson, Andrea Stegmaier (Illustrated by), in exchange for my own, honest opinion.

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was actually pretty cute. The illustrations were awesome IMO. They reminded me of more classic children books like Strega Nona. The story was simple and easy to follow. The little boy in the story was very clever and actively worked to solve the multiple problems that arose, like finding a hungry alligator, how to set it free, making sure he wasnt lonely and hiding him from the not so nice mayor. Overall just a really cute read.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Andrea Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely fell in love with this book and by the end I felt like a kid again reading one of my favorite books that I kept as an adult. I must have this to read to my girls and see if one of them will keep it in their save boxes! While the story started out a bit dark and then has quite a strong moral story that suits our day and age, by the end I was happy and wanting to turn around and read it all over again.

[Emmie Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute book about friendships, helping others and first impressions!

One day, when the boy was walking in the forest surrounding his house, he found an alligator.
At first he's scared but then he notices that the animal is hungry, lonely and stuck.
And this is the start of a cute and funny friendship!

The book is great, the illustrations are wonderful and the story is warm and delightful.

My sister loved it but I must admit that I loved more, haha!

Perfect for the little ones' sleeping time!

Thanks Netgalley!!

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Every year, too many dopes get too close to the wildlife and get mauled by a bear, gored by a bison, or trampled by a herd of elk while trying to feed or photograph these wild creatures. This boy will grow up to be one of those dopes and maybe even get elected mayor of a whole town of dopes who ignore common sense laws that outlaw feeding wildlife and making pets of wild animals—vilifying wise former mayors who enforced “proclamations” to protect dopey people from themselves and animals from the deadly consequences of human ignorance. A second star for the interesting illustrations of the alligator, its inappropriate habitat, and its ill-advised interactions with the boy and the denizens of Dopeville.

[Amanda Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had such a good experience reading this book to my students. They were totally engaged in the story from the start - as soon as we saw there was a whale in the lake we were curious about where the books would take us. I did my best to improvise the singing part and they giggle-cringed and wished the music teacher were reading instead. Some students even covered their ears! After reading, I invited them to use paper and pencil or web-based music apps to create their own compositions. In the end, when I commented on the Washington Children's Choice Award about our experience *since it's a nominee* the author got a hold of me and sent me the read aloud with music - so now I can play the book to the students and they can listen to her sing it! They will be so pleased!

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy and his alligator. No names in this childhood story about friendship. It takes understanding and acceptance to be friends with a big green alligator. With bravery and courage, boy shows what friendship is all about. He also goes against the mayor of his village and shows the rest of the village that living in fear of others does no one any good.

Being friends with an alligator is over the top and extreme but it gives a good lesson on those that are different than we are. A great tool for parents and children to show empathy and compassion for others.

A special thank you to Kids Can Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review

[Radwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story reminds me of the dragon film where a kid befriends a dragon and works hard to make the whole accept him and stop them from trying to kill him. It's the same but with an alligator. and it was fun and sweet.


I thank Netgalley and Kids Can Press for the digital ARC.

[Marzia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for providing me a free copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

This is such a beautiful book about acceptance, friendship and first impressions.
The story is lovely, illustrations are great and I also love all the characters.

Such a pity my doughter cannot read English. I'll translate this book for her because I'm sure she will like it very much.

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’ve enjoyed this funny book for months now. A splendid way of child(ren) helping an alligator and the friendship that ensues is endearing. Highly recommend.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun and lovely illustrated story book.

It's really about teaching children that you shouldn't judge people by their appearance.

Recommended book.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for the ARC

[Nicci · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was a big hit in our house! The adults - aka me - loved it and when the little dude (who is nine) saw me reading it he wanted to read it, and he loved it too!

The story is that of a little boy and an alligator. It's a tale of friendship, of overcoming preconceived notions/prejudices and coming together as a community.

It's clever, fun and completely engaging. The illustrations are wonderful and the themes are painfully relevant to what's going on in the world today. I highly recommend it! Kids of all ages would be able to find something to love about this story but it's probably targeted at those who are 6/7 or younger.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book rules. A child and town befriend a lonely alligator in opposition to the mayor's proclamation against alligators. The townspeople aid the alligator, who eventually eats the autocratic mayor thus creating a power vacuum to be filled by a new, pro-alligator, pro-democratic mayor. It is a good thing when children's books depict community revolt. <3

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review copy provided by NetGalley

This was a cute story, one that children would enjoy in a read-aloud situation. The boy who befriends an alligator has to convince the townspeople that having an alligator is not as dangerous as it seems and could even have its benefits. Unfortunately, even after getting the rest of the town on the alligator's side, he still can't convince the grumpy mayor. This was an amusing story, and the town's solution to the problematic mayor's resistance is whimsically unexpected and laughably clever. Clever!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is super cute and educational for children! Even at 22 years old I enjoyed reading it right before bed. I would love to read this to a classroom of kids. Definitely keep up the good work!

[Rainbow Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

AAAlligator by Judith Henderson tells the story of a boy who finds an alligator in need of help in the woods near his home. The boy decides to feed the alligator, so naturally, they become good friends. When the boy takes the alligator into town, the Mayor declares there can be no alligators. The boy explains that the alligator is hungry and he could eat the townspeople’s leftovers, but the mayor is adamant. However, the community comes to their own conclusions. I don’t want to give away the ending, but I will say that our story has a happy one (well, for almost everyone anyway).

Paired with amazing illustrations by Andrea Stegmaier, this book gives us the perfect opportunity to discuss civil disobedience, which can be an extremely effective way to address injustices in our communities. I don’t know about you, but I intend for my child to question the rules around him. Asking questions is the key to critical thinking, and critical thinking is an invaluable life skill. I plan to encourage it very early.

I want to teach him to question before he decides where he stands on an issue. Does this rule exist to keep the town safe? Or is it someone’s bias written into a proclamation? If this community can come together to feed an alligator AND eliminate their food waste, why shouldn’t they?

However, because it is Thanksgiving week in the US and we are currently living in the midst of a global pandemic, I will address the elephant (or alligator) in the room. I couldn’t help but think of COVID deniers and anti-maskers during my second reading.

While I wholeheartedly believe that civil disobedience is a necessity for positive change in our world, I believe we have a duty to participate responsibly. I really appreciate books like this one because it gives us the opportunity to encourage our children (and ourselves) to ask the difficult questions. Are we defending someone’s humanity? Are we making our community a better place? Are we fighting for the little guy? Are we being responsible? Or are we upset because we have to miss a holiday and wear cloth on our faces to keep our communities safe? Are we willing to put aside the health of our neighbors, friends, and family members so we don’t have to follow rules we don’t agree with?

I highly recommend AAAlligator if you would like to start these conversations with your children.

I would also like to thank Kids Can Press and the Hachette Book Group for providing me with a review copy of this book. I have a feeling it will spark plenty of conversations with the young readers in my life.

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[Jamie Bee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for Kids in Gator Country

The first thing that struck me as odd about this book is that it partially takes place in a standard forest—one with pine trees and evergreens. Yes, there is a lake, but it looks like a regular lake, not a swampy lake, which would be more of the habitat for an alligator. How did the single alligator get to this lake in a regular forest? Children probably won't ask those questions, though. Essentially, the story is that a young boy finds an alligator in the forest twisted in some vines. The boy is unsure about approaching the alligator but does cut it free after it falls asleep. They then become friends, doing activities together. But things get a little dicey when they go to town, as the town's people are very afraid—naturally—of the gator. In fact, the mayor makes a proclamation that no alligators are allowed. But behind the mayor’s back, the townspeople come out to the lake and feed the alligator their leftovers. The townspeople try to hide the gator from the mayor as it grows, and they make it a whale costume. When the mayor sees the alligator in the costume, we are told that the mayor disappears (the text implying that perhaps the alligator ate the mayor, although the picture shows it being spit out of the whale's mouth). When the new mayor is elected, she creates another proclamation allowing for alligators.

I feel like this book sends mixed messages. If you're talking about real alligators, people should be concerned if they show up in their town! If this book is meant to be a metaphor about prejudice, that may work. Because actual alligators are dangerous, I don't think this book would be appropriate for children who actually live in gator country. Heaven forbid a child gets injured or killed because he or she thinks that alligators can be their friends or are at least kind and cuddly like the gator in this book. Not quite sure, too, what I thought about implying that the angry Lincoln-looking mayor was killed by the gator. It certainly added a creepy tone to the book. All in all, I didn't like this book.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book and elicited some good discussions with my oldest grandchild. A young boy rescues an alligator who is tangled in wires. We talked about where alligators lived because he was worried one might show up in the pond near his neighbourhood. The boy sings to the alligator and feeds him to keep him occupied while he cuts him loose. "If I sing to animals, I still can't touch them, they're wild." Yes! Then the alligator adopts the boy and follows him everywhere. Now we were able to have fun with the story. All the townsfolk fed him and took care of him, all except the mean mayor. We talked about why the mayor didn't like the alligator when he didn't know him. He got the comparison to people, he is a bright kid most of the time. Of course the town rallies around the alligator so something doesn't happen to him. He thought putting him in a whale costume was funny, but that a whale wouldn't fit in a small lake or pond. The ending has a bit of a surprise. It is important not to take this book literally, but look at the message of acceptance. If he had been older, we might have talked about civil disobedience, the democratic process, etc. I can see this book being read to older students and using it to discuss those items. A book that my granddaughter just thought was fun and was glad the alligator was safe and had lots of friends. The publisher provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.

[Kayla - the.bookish.mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is all about friendship and overcoming bias. One day a boy is walking in the forest and happens upon an alligator that is stuck in some vines. He wants to help him, but is also fearful of being eaten. So he feeds the alligator and waits for him to fall asleep to cut him loose, but then, something surprising happens!

This is a great read for teaching how assumptions are not always right from the start, and that sometimes we need to take the time to learn and understand before making judgment. Not only are there great lessons in this story, but there is plenty of silliness to keep the story light and engaging.

The illustrations are fantastic and playful, which is a great way to keep your readers engaged. Each character is animated and makes it easy to recognize how the character is feeling, which ties along perfectly with the text. My little one loved to point out the alligator on each page.

I was gifted a copy from the publisher, Kids Can Press, in exchange for an honest review.

[Kathy Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adorable story about protecting one's friends An alligator is found in the woods This alligator is hungry and his boy gives him food. The boy runs out of food and takes the alligator to town. The people are scared and the Mayor makes a proclamation banning alligators. This does not sit well with the townspeople. The boy says the alligator is useful and will eat their leftovers so the people feed him leftovers and the alligator hides. One day the alligator is too big to hide and the townspeople get creative. The alligator goes and so does the mayor. A new mayor comes and allows alligators.

Loyalty is an important value that children need to be taught, They need to stand up for their friends and protect them. The boy in this story does and the townspeople rally round him. everyone becomes the alligator's friend except the Mayor and he meets a funny end as told by the illustrations. This is a great story for children to explore and parents to read aloud.

[Literature Lattes · Rating 4 out of 5]

"AAAligator" by Judith Henderson is a new children's book from Judith Henderson. It follows the story of a young boy who befriends an Alligator. This unlikely friendship is forged and the pair end up finding out that things aren't always what they seem when it comes what we "think" we know. The boy and everyone else in the town starts off afraid of the alligator, but they come to realize that different doesn't equal bad!

This story is a cute way to teach children about what it means to be openminded and kind. The boy and the alligator enjoy a lot of the same activities like listening to music, reading and riding scooters! Children can read this book and learn that although people are different, everyone should be given a chance! Our family enjoyed this book as it celebrates kindness and compassion for others!

[Eule Luftschloss · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy takes a hike in the forest and meets - an alligator! Eventually, they become friends. But this is a problem.

Despite dispension of disbelief, this feels real. The boy's reactions are very sensible and smart. It's not friendship on first sight, but exactly how it goes, you'll have to discover for yourself.
The plot goes on for far longer as I had expected, and I didn't see the plottwist coming.

Not only the text is adorable, the illustrations are, too. They're colourful and detailed and fun.
After reading this, I wonder what adventures they'll experience, and it appears that this story gained a sort of life in my head.

I recieved a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Aolund · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a boy (white skin, black hair) finds an alligator caught in a vine in the woods he is scared at first but quickly becomes the alligator's friend and advocate instead. Horrified at the appearance of an alligator in the marketplace, the Mayor (white skin, black hair, scary expression) outlaws alligators! Thankfully, the townspeople rally around their new community member, who helpfully eats all their unwanted leftovers. Together, they figure out how to help the alligator live happily in their town and elect a new mayor (brown skin, black hair, happy expression!) who doesn't hate alligators. This is a well-told story that is fun to read aloud.

Themes: Inclusion, Community, Alligator, Friends, Hide and seek
Age range: 3-8

[FM Family · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a strange one that I enjoyed. Couldn't totally get my head around what my 3.5 year old thought of it, she read it happily enough but never requested it. Which i found surprising because it has a lot of stuff she likes, alligators, kids, whales, people freaking out. Anyway it's a unique story about an alligator a town comes to love because it eats all of their leftover scraps, yet the mayor has a serious problem with it. I found it quite silly and fun, and the illustration style was uncommon and engaging. My only complaint is that a song figures prominently in the story without any direction on how you're supposed to sing it - we ended up going to the tune of "head shoulders knees and toes" but what it's intended to be is a bit of a mystery.

[The Library Lady · Rating 1 out of 5]

From the blurb; "A timely tale about empathy, acceptance and a community's response to injustice."

HUH?

This is a book about an alligator who ends up in a town where the people manage to keep him from eating them by feeding him their leftovers, but where the alligator hating mayor somehow "disappears," and everyone else lives kumbabya happy ever after.

I find this disturbing. I don't find it cute, heart warming or funny. This is more Edward Gorey than Eric Carle, and it's certainly not for toddlers or preschoolers. Another reviewer here compared this to a graphic, and it should probably have been marketed that way and for an older audience.

UGH!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the cutest story about a little boy who takes pity on a trapped alligator. He brings him leftovers, sings him a lullaby, and then cuts him free of the vine that holds him while he sleeps. The alligator and the boy become friends but, as always when people are afraid, the mayor decrees that there can be "no alligators, blah blah blah".

AAALLIGATOR! was so much fun to read. My kids loved seeing the little boy with his alligator friend and seeing what happens when people take the time to get to know someone (or an animal, in this case) before making a snap judgment.

A must-read for young and old!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a little boy who lives in the woods by a pond. One day he comes upon an alligator whose foot is entangled and he's trapped. So, the boy distracts the alligator by feeding him groceries until he sings the alligator to sleep. Then the boy cuts the vines tangling the alligator's foot and eventually the two become friends.

Super unrealistic (fiction!) with fun illustrations, if you read this to a kid, please make sure that they understand that alligators don't really want to be our friends and are, in fact, incredibly dangerous animals.

This would be a nice read aloud (with the above caveat) for kids ages 6+.