I really enjoyed this picture book. It would be a great resource to young children to help explain immigration and refugees. It also helps to show that people should not be afraid of someone different. I will purchase this for my elementary library.

An engaging story that explores what it means when home is not home anymore and life has thrown a curve. Applicable to immigration certainly, with a crocodile who must search for a new home among places that are not immediately welcoming while leaving his family behind, this story could also open conversations about friendship, homelessness, and perseverance. The handling of this tough subject matter is done in a way that feels safe for very small readers and listeners, as well as sophisticated enough for deeper conversation and themes of older readers as well.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book as a digital ARC in return for a fair and honest review.

I requested and received an e-ARC of this book from NetGalley and Flyaway Books in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this book, but I wish it had been slightly longer with a few more details about Crocodile’s journey and how he and his family reunite. That being said, this book would help parents and teachers begin the conversation about immigration and refugees with children.

#CrocodilesCrossing #NetGalley

Crocodile is searching for somewhere to call his home. He loved his last home but it became too dangerous to stay, so he set out in search of safer shores. New places meant new words, new foods, and, of course, new problems. Many places he traveled to would not accept his big scary teeth or tough green skin and shooed him on his way. Eventually, Crocodile runs out of supplies and is so tired of searching, but he awakes in a new land with a community that accepts him and changes his life.

This is an immigrant story for children, with a crocodile as the main character, fleeing his home and the bad things happening there, including a lack of food. He has a family and friends just like him but he stands out in the new places he travels to and isn't always welcome.

There's a great lesson within this story. We see the very real issues that immigrants face all over the world while looking for a place to belong to. It's something that could happen to any of us. Luckily, Crocodile finds his happy ending in a place where he is valued and can contribute to the community!

The full-spread illustrations are fantastic, with great bird's eye perspectives to show Crocodile's travel around the world and fun, emotive animals. I love how the cover tells us exactly what the story is about. The end pages similarly seem to tell us how chaotic and confusing it is to not know where to go or where you are going.

What happens when home can't be home anymore?

Crocodile's home is no longer safe and livable. He is out to search for a new place to live. He searches far and wide but no one seems to welcome him because he is too green or scary. In his continued search, he finds mice that welcome him and help. He finally feels safe.

A great read to talk about what home means and how we can make others feel safe. The illustrations are kid friendly and the message is one that will last a life time.

A Special Thank you to Flyaway Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

This is a lovely book about a crocodile who must leave his home because it is no longer safe and he travels all over looking for a new one. People in the places he travels to judge him as scary and make assumptions about him. It's clearly an immigration metaphor but it is a subtle one that works well. The art is beautiful and the tone hopeful. This is a book that can give children subtle insight into what it's like to be a refugee and how people (and crocodiles?) all just want a place where we can be safe and happy with those we love. Recommended.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.

This is a sweet story that can be used to talk about immigration and what the new students might be going through. It manages to tell about leaving your home forever without being sad or maudlin.

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).