Review - Crocodile's Crossing

Crocodile's Crossing: A Search for Home
by Yoeri Slegers
Date: 2020
Publisher: Flyaway Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Crocodile is tired, scared, and hopeful as he searches for his new home.

Everything will be better where I’m going! he thinks. But where is that?

Crocodile’s Crossing: A Search for Home introduces children to the complex topic of immigration. Featuring bright artwork packed with playful details, this thoughtful tale sensitively portrays the challenges faced by refugees and other newcomers.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a simple little story about a crocodile searching for a new home after trouble comes to his homeland.

It's basically a metaphor about refugees, told in an accessible way with a nice crocodile as the main character. After leaving his home, he finds it difficult to fit in anywhere. Others judge him for his appearance, and he struggles to find his place. Eventually, some mice open their hearts to him and he finds what he's been looking for. Only one thing is missing: his family.

The story is very simple, but effective. I was a little confused about Crocodile's age, though. I assumed, since this is a children's book, that he was young. But then he left his family behind and set out on his own. (I know this happens, but it's kind of a scary concept, especially since he's depicted as sort of floundering without any support or kindness shown to him.) At the end, though, it appears that he has a wife and child. I'm not sure if kids are going to be able to relate to that; perhaps it would have been better to tell the story from his child's point of view.

This would definitely be a good book to start a conversation about refugees and the reasons they might have for leaving their homes behind. Overall, it's a solid book (if fairly forgettable).

Thank you to NetGalley and Flyaway Books for providing a digital ARC.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3 out of 5