Crocodarling - Hardcover

PreSchool-Grade 2Crocodarling is rather grim and labored, the plot unfocused, thick with mixed messages and unclear viewpoints. Rayner establishes the closeness between the young Sam and his toy Crocodarling in a strong beginning, but when the story expands into Sam's classroom, it goes in too many directions. Through Sam's reliance on Crocodarling, Rayner signals a dawning independence and actualization of aggressive impulses in Sam as he faces up to classmate Henry's bullying and causes mischief when he doesn't get his way. As she demonstrates Sam's various behaviors, readers get a growing sense of "case study" rather than a deepening characterization of a little boy who wrestles with a strong and a reticent nature. In the end, Sam boldly confronts Henry without Crocodarling's assistance. A fist fight ensues, but Sam's "victory" seems feeble in terms of final resolution. He does not own up to his part in the fight, and he is fully absolved when the children chant that Henry started it. Rayner's watercolors do give a full sense of the story, nicely matching the text, but in general lack the vivacity of her previous work. The best are those which concentrate on Sam. Rayner creates an appealing contrast in two double-page scenes, one of a reluctant Sam dragging Crocodarling along the sidewalk to school, the other of Sam racing toward home, Crocodarling in his arms. This book makes one wish for another book about Sam and Crocodarling, one that is simpler and better developed. Susan Powers, Berkeley Carroll Street School, Brooklyn
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.