Search Results for: Kind Crocodile

Kind Crocodile cover

Kind Crocodile

A kind crocodile leaves his pond to see the world, in this fresh and playful new board book from New York Times Illustrated Book Award winning author Leo Timmers.

Animals are in danger—help, kind crocodile! Here comes a terrified mouse, a frightened hog, an antelope. One by one they find shelter on Crocodile’s long back, while his big teeth scare their enemies away. GRRR!

In a fun game of chase, the kind crocodile gives shelter to one animal after another on his long green back, scaring away their pursuers—until the load becomes too heavy and the crocodile doesn’t feel so kind anymore, and turns on his friends. GRRRR!

But not for long: “Just kidding!” says Crocodile.

“Not kind!” say the friends.

This funny board book from Leo Timmers features his trademark detailed illustrations full of expression and a satisfying twist ending—will Crocodile gobble up his friends? Of course not, the kind crocodile is just pretending.

Kind Crocodile is a board book to enjoy again and again, with a lively game of chase and a message about teamwork at its heart. A larger format sturdy board book perfect for reading with toddlers and preschoolers who can join in with the fun repetition.

Translated from the Dutch edition by Bill Nagelkerke.

Activity sheet | Look inside video | Author video

Illustration of a bear with red glasses perched on his head

Bear’s Lost Glasses

Bear can’t find his glasses. He must have left them at Giraffe’s house. On the way over, Bear sees all kinds of animals he didn’t notice last time: an elephant, a crocodile, a flamingo, a deer. And who’s this long spotty snake lying on Giraffe’s deckchair?

The patient Giraffe finds Bear’s glasses—right where glasses always get lost, perched on his head.

Then Bear takes Giraffe to meet these wondrous animals that he found on the way.

Leo Timmers’ details are full of expression and humour—the angle of Giraffe’s neck and lift of his eyebrows, hiding his skepticism as he helps his friend, the dear, artless bear.

Through an ingenious telling of this classic comical situation, Leo Timmers shows us how to enjoy the world through different eyes.

Portrait of Leo Timmers

Elephant Island: Q&A with Leo Timmers

As so often is the case, I was working on multiple stories about boats that weren’t really going anywhere, until Elephant appeared and ideas started to click. Once I figured out the storyline, I started pondering every beat of the story. What does it mean, what do I want to say? And how can I visualize this as clearly as possible?

Inside the Villains wolf library (c) Clotilde Perrin

Book list: 10 good books translated from French

Louise Cambau, South Ken Kids Festival curator I have been curating the South Ken Kids Festival for the past 6 years. This is a Franco-British children’s book festival organised yearly at the Institut Français in London, celebrating 25 years in 2022, under Sir Quentin Blake’s patronage. Amongst other things, the Institut organises literary events throughout… Read more »

Shona’s great read-alouds gift guide

It’s the perfect time of year to create magical memories of reading aloud together. Today we’re sharing our gift guide featuring some books that we think make great read-alouds. Click on the covers to go straight to our online shop: or of course, visit your local bookshop. When you order you can add a note… Read more »