Children's Picture book. Greedy Snake in a tree is jealous of all the colours of other animals, so he eats those colours. Read in early 1970s.

[Marc]

I'm trying to trace a special book from my childhood.

It's about a snake in a jungle (or forest? or perhaps a single tree?) — he was jealous of all the colours of all the other animals, and somehow managed to eat those colours. As he ate the colours he became more colourful himself, culminating in being the sole colourful creature in the entire jungle.

I think he also grew longer and larger as he ate more and more colours.

I think this made him lonely in some way and succeeded in repairing his greediness — I can't remember how.

I do remember images of a vividly colourful snake in a tree, and the other creatures all white with thin black outlines.

Any ideas what this book might be? Author/title?

Thanks so much for any support.
Marc

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

In what country did you read it?

[Amber (Daisymau)]

The Greedy Python by Richard Buckley/Eric Carle?

[Marc]

Amber (Daisymau) wrote: "The Greedy Python by Richard Buckley/Eric Carle?"

Hi Amber — nope not this one.
And because of Eric Carle's fame, all my google searches mostly give me this book.

[Marc]

Lobstergirl wrote: "In what country did you read it?"

Hi Lobstergirl

It was South Africa (Johannesburg)

In the early 1970s

[Kris]

Marc, can you describe the illustrations - e.g., simple or detailed, realistic or cartoon-like, painted watercolors or bold graphics? Do they remind you of a similar illustrator or picture book author?

Any chance he was called a python, boa constrictor, etc. (and not a snake)?

I added a few details to the header/ topic title. Feel free to edit it.

[Amber (Daisymau)]

Marc wrote: "Amber (Daisymau) wrote: "The Greedy Python by Richard Buckley/Eric Carle?"

Hi Amber — nope not this one.
And because of Eric Carle's fame, all my google searches mostly give me this ..."

I figure it wasn't the right book.

[Amber (Daisymau)]

Marc wrote: "Lobstergirl wrote: "In what country did you read it?"

Hi Lobstergirl

It was South Africa (Johannesburg)

In the early 1970s"

The only author I can think of from the 70's is Leo Lionni, but I can't remember anything about a snake.

[Marc]

Kris wrote: "Marc, can you describe the illustrations - e.g., simple or detailed, realistic or cartoon-like, painted watercolors or bold graphics? Do they remind you of a similar illustrator or picture book aut..."

Mmmm good question. Thin black pen lines for the colourless animals, while the greedy colourful snake was painted in vivid colour, I think without brush strokes being obvious.

I think the entire story happens in a tree.

[Marc]

Amber (Daisymau) wrote: "Marc wrote: "Amber (Daisymau) wrote: "The Greedy Python by Richard Buckley/Eric Carle?"

Hi Amber — nope not this one.
And because of Eric Carle's fame, all my google searches mostly ..."

Thanks

[Marc]

Amber (Daisymau) wrote: "Marc wrote: "Lobstergirl wrote: "In what country did you read it?"

Hi Lobstergirl

It was South Africa (Johannesburg)

In the early 1970s"

The only author I can think of from the 70's is [author:..."

Yes Lionni is another genius — but not the same kind illustrations. These are fairly detailed. Thin black pen for the animals without colour, snake in vivid bright colours.

There were colourful patterns on the snake, but not sure exactly what patterns.

[Marc]

Lobstergirl wrote: "In what country did you read it?"

South Africa, but published in UK or US.

[Marc]

I'm suddenly thinking the snake might have had a personal name. Not sure about this.

But the story definitely happens in a tree.

(Apologies, I'm getting confused knowing which reply button refers to which post)

[Michele]

I searched, even in other languages, could not find. Hope someone solves this mystery --- it sounds like an interesting story!

[Michele]

Snake's name Shrdlu, by chance?

[Rainbowheart]

I don't think it could be The Greedy Python. Earliest edition I can find is 1985.

[Tab]

Do you remember the cover?
Was this book part of a larger series of books about animals?

[Marc]

Michele wrote: "Snake's name Shrdlu, by chance?"

Michele wrote: "Snake's name Shrdlu, by chance?"

Tab wrote: "Do you remember the cover?
Was this book part of a larger series of books about animals?"

Ah thanks Tab... I don't thin this part of was a larger series but a stand alone.

I don't remember cover exactly, but I have a vague sense of a very colourful long snake amidst a white tree devoid of other colours.

[Marc]

Michele wrote: "Snake's name Shrdlu, by chance?"

Thanks Michelle
Doesn't ring a bell — not sure though...