Aaalligator! - by Judith Henderson (Hardcover)

About the Book

"When a boy encounters and alligator while hiking in the woods, he immediately jumps back and cries, "AAAlligator!". But he soon realizes the alligator needs his help, so he bravely steps up, even though he is afraid. His good deed done, he heads home, thinking that was the end of that. But later that evening, he hears a rustling outside his window -- the alligator! Waiting ... but not in a hungry way. Over time, the boy and the alligator become friends -- and one day, they venture into town. "AAAlligator! AAAlligator!" the townspeople cry. Everyone is very upset -- especially the mayor, who makes an official proclamation: "NO ALLIGATORS, blah, blah, blah." The boy and the alligator are forced to go home. That night, a crowd gathers outside the boy's door, led by the mayor. The alligator has to go, the mayor tells the boy. The boy asks the crowd to consider the alligator, who is friendly, and helpful, and hungry, and lonely ... It's food for thought. The townspeople talk it over. But the mayor insists, "NO ALLIGATORS!" The townspeople disperse. "Silly proclamation" ... "He hasn't even eaten anyone yet!" ... "It's not fair." The boy is worried. What's going to happen to the alligator? But then, to his surprise, the townspeople start secretly bringing their leftovers to feed the alligator -- and over time, the alligator becomes part of their community. The townspeople elect a new mayor, who writes a new proclamation, and everyone lives happily ever after ... proving that sometimes you just have to break the rules!"--

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

A hilarious, slightly subversive story pairs a smartly funny prose narrative full of wonderful language and wordplay with marvelous illustrations that mine every moment for humor.--Cooperative Children`s Book Center

... a sheer delight to be shared with young adventurers everywhere.--CM Magazine

A fable-like tale full of gentle twists that emphasize questioning assumptions and creative problem solving.--Publishers Weekly

The trope of the unlikely friendship delivered with a traditional feel and a modern message.--Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Judith Henderson is an Emmy Award-winning children's TV composer and producer. She is the author of the Big Words Small Stories series. Judith lives in Montreal, Quebec.