SOLVED. Children’s Picture book. Detective searches for a king's missing crocodile from a palace (?) follows a trail of crocodile tears. Read in 1990s. [s]

[Heather]

I read this book as a child (25ish years ago, though the book is probably older). Guessing pub date of 80s or possibly older. It involved a detective who had to track down a missing crocodile and all that was left in the room was some water. It turned out the crocodile had climbed some ice cubes which later melted. There was a room in the palace that had gemstones in different piles. There was a trail of crocodile tears at some point.

[Rainbowheart]

Crocodile Tears?

[AP]

Is this in the Bill and Pete series?

[Heather]

Rainbowheart wrote: "Crocodile Tears?"

no... I googled everything I can remember and that one comes up but it's not it. I honestly think the term "crocodile tears" is only mentioned at one point near the end of the book but I remember it specifically bc as a child I had to have that term explained to me.

[Heather]

AP wrote: "Is this in the Bill and Pete series?"

No, I don't think it was part of any series. I'm also trying to remember what the characters look like but it's been so long. I think the detective was human.

[Kris]

Heather, can you describe the illustrations - e.g., simple or detailed, realistic or cartoon-like, painted watercolors or bold graphics, bright or dark colors, black & white? Do they remind you of a similar illustrator or picture book author?

[Heather]

Kris wrote: "Heather, can you describe the illustrations - e.g., simple or detailed, realistic or cartoon-like, painted watercolors or bold graphics, bright or dark colors, black & white? Do they remind you of ..."

thank you. I think they were simple, cartoonish, maybe mostly on a white background. Similar to old Curious George books? It's just been so long I wish I could remember more details. I think the detective in the book was really exaggerated like with a big magnifying glass.

[Kris]

Reference - Curious George

[Heather]

I am going to give this a bump to see if anyone else remembers it!

[Kris]

What's the location/country?

Could it be a missing crocodile or alligator?

Can you describe the detective? Who is the animal's owner?

[Heather]

I really think it’s a crocodile bc I specifically remember the phrase crocodile tears. It is a king looking for the missing animal. I was thinking the detective had his eyes hidden under his hat looking like an Andy Capp type character. But I could be remembering incorrectly. The search leads the detective through a room filled with jewels that are piled up between concrete barriers like different types of rock at a quarry.

[Ayshe]

Big Max maybe? The pet appears to be elephant but one review mentions crocodile tears.

[Crystal]

Ayshe wrote: "Big Max maybe? The pet appears to be elephant but kne review mentions crocodile tears."

this sounds very promising xD i'm following to hear the verdict

[Heather]

Ayshe wrote: "Big Max maybe? The pet appears to be elephant but one review mentions crocodile tears."

oh my goodness this is it! thank you thank you! I don't know how you found it but yes! I would never have remembered that title. It definitely wasn't an "I Can Read Book" back then, and maybe even went by a different title. But glad it's in print and now I can buy it for my kids. Thanks again!! Mystery solved.

[Crystal]

:D yay - I had a feeling Ayshe's suggestion was going to be spot on!

[Ayshe]

Great! It was mentioned in one of the Google books results for king missing alligator "children's books " (smippet from Elementary English - Volume 43, Issues 1-4) and when I looked at the goodreads record and the reviews it seemed likely.