What Does The Crocodile Say? from Eva Montanari, is glorious fun to read out loud. It’s the cutest picture book, that deals with going to nursery/kindergarten for the first time in the most delightful manner.
The book opens the minute this little crocodile’s alarm wakes him up with a “dringg dringg.” The remainder of the book captures the day in sounds, which is a brilliant way to capture it, however, this isn’t just any day. This is our little character’s first day at nursery.
There are a few tears at drop off, lightly dealt with by those illustrations before a kindly elephant takes our character by the hand (or should that be claw?!).
Eva’s illustrations and narrative deal kindly with the trepidation our character feels, and shows the nursery as a kind, warm and welcoming place – from the books that are read and the food that’s devoured, to the naps enjoyed.
By the time Mum has returned to pick crocodile up, tears have turned into kisses.



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