I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. This was a great book based on a true story about a very unique animal named Claude.

This is an outstanding (and true!) story about differences, starring Claude the famous albino alligator. It’s filled with interesting facts. Poor Claude went through a lot on his path to being accepted. I loved the illustrations, as well! This is one I’ll be gifting during the holidays.

Sadly, I didn't get a chance to read this one in time. I got the mail in the midst of my vacation, much to my surprise as I had totally forgotten I requested this book (it's been quite a while). I only got to download the book on the 17th (just a day after my vacation), right on the day it apparently went archived.. So I never had a chance to read. I am very sad about it, but so I cannot review it.

Since I got to rate it, thanks Netgalley, I am sorry for the 1 star.

This is a true story. Claude hatched on September 15, 1995 in Louisiana. When he exited his egg he was starkly different from his siblings... Claude was pure white. Why? He was an albino which means he lacked the pigment melanin in his skin so he had no colour. This put him in danger because he could not hide and blend in with his surroundings. He could not camouflage an element that kept him safe. Wisely Claude was sent to a new home at the California Academy of Sciences where he was kept safe from harm and actually became a celebrity there. Everyone wanted to see the novel albino alligator.

The book has a positive message for young readers. It points out that being different can have its merits. It shines a light on the importance of having compassion and empathy. It addresses the importance of accepting others who are different from you.

The illustrations are wonderfully done and the book includes a segment at the end of the book of "Common Questions About Claude" for those who want to learn more about this interesting creature. This book would be perfect placed in a classroom and elementary school library. The story is heartwarming and it teaches valuable life skills that any age can benefit from. I highly recommend this book.

A delightful and charming book about an albino alligator, based on a real albino alligator! Claude is an albino alligator who just doesn't seem to fit in, and so the story follows his journey to a new home, and hopefully to make some new friends. The plot was very sweet and from reading this I hope to visit Claude one day too! The artwork was absolutely adorable and so pretty! There are real life facts and information about Claude and albino alligators in the back of the book too!
* Thank you Netgalley for sending me this!*

I have visited Claude many times at the Academy of Sciences and my kids have always wanted to know more about him, so this book was a delight to get a hold of. I loved that, in addition to the story, it included factual information at the end. The illustrations are beautiful and quite faithful to the actual Academy and Claude. It is simplified in terms of ethical questions so parents will need to navigate that part in discussing with their children.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Claude" is a lovely little book with beautiful illustrations.
It tells the story of Claude, the world famous albino alligator.
The language is easy to understand for children, but it is still informative and not condescending.
The illustrations are simply gorgeous!
I can imagine this book to be perfect as a companion for a visit to Claude, or to be read in times like now when you can't travel.

I requested and received an e-ARC of this book from Emma Bland Smith and Little Bigfoot through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I absolutely enjoyed this true story about Claude the alligator. This book contained some amazing facts about alligators and albinism, and I think kids will enjoy learning about Claude and the challenges he faces. The illustrations were awesome and the picture of Claude enjoying his island at the back of the book is cute.

Claude is a true story based on the California Academy of Sciences' beloved albino alligator.

A little backstory on Claude:

Claude was hatched on September 15 1995 in Louisianna. Baby Claude lacked the pigment melanin in his skin. Being an albino aligator is not easy, he was in danger in the wild because his albinism did not allow him to camouflage into his surroundings like other alligators. in 2008, Claude found his new home at the California Academy of Sciences.

This little book does an excellant job telling Claudes story and also teaching about albinism in animals. "Claude" does a fantastic job explaining the implications and diffulcties involved when animals are born albino. In Claudes case, not only did his condition make him appear different, but it made it impossible to live and strive in the wild.

This book about Claude offers more than just facts, it offers young readers the knowledge that different can be something beautiful and wonderful too.

At the end of the book there are also some common questions and answers about Claude and other aligator related topics. I really loved that this was included.

I recieved a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Claude: The True Story of a White Alligator, written by Emma Bland Smith and illustrated by Jennifer M. Potter, is currently scheduled for release on August 4 2020. Claude is a celebrity alligator and the mascot for San Francisco's California Academy of Sciences. His story started almost 25 years ago in Louisiana, where he hatched out of his egg to discover he looked different from the other hatchlings. They were green and Claude was white. The other hatchlings avoided him, and his color made him vulnerable to predators. So Claude went to a special zoo that cared for alligators where he lived in a pen by himself. Now he was safe--but alone. One day, scientists at the California Academy of Sciences heard about him and asked the zoo if he could come and live in the Academy's swamp. He made a 2,800 mile journey to his new home, where he had a surprise--he would share his swamp with Bonnie, an alligator who the scientists hoped would be a friend for Claude. Unfortunately, Bonnie didn't like Claude's differences either, so she was moved to another home. But then Claude was alone again--or was he? With Bonnie gone, Claude began to interact with the five enormous snapping turtles who shared his swamp. The turtles didn't mind at all that Claude was different! And neither do the millions of people who visit him every year. They know that Claude's differences are exactly what makes him special.

Claude: The True Story of a White Alligator is more than a story about a cool albino alligator finding a happy home and being safe and cared for. I like that it does teach the facts about Claude's life, but it also shines a light on how animals (and people) tend to treat the different. While some enjoyed the spectacle and like to stare, others took the time to make sure he was safe and happy. I was glad that Claude and his turtle friends are happy together, and that he can play a part in education and research. I was very happy to see that the book includes back matter with answers to frequently asked questions about the famous alligator, including information about albinism in animals.

Claude: The True Story of a White Alligator is a well written story that might inspire kindness to animals, and people, regardless of possible differences.

This was cute, but I felt like the personification of the Claude loving being in the zoo was ill-advised. Telling children animals love being in zoos and that all the people visiting are the animal's friend feels harmful.

Love this! My oldest is a huge steve irwin fan. He loves all reptiles and he loves this story of the little alligator that was different. Having had issues in school with bullying, it was a great message for him.

This is a great book about an albino alligator, Claude. This is a true story about Claude that lives in a museum. It was not only informational but gives a a great story about differences and friendship.

It's hard to give a non-biased review on a book involving zoos. To address a couple of problems without going into too much detail, I don't think that glamorizing being in a zoo by showing an animal becoming a 'celebrity' and having the animal seem to bask in that is a good thing for children to learn. I also think that the four day long road trip would be extremely stressful on the animals and to send Bonnie back all the way to Florida was sad. I understand why Claude needed to be in a zoo/the academy of sciences for the sake of his health and safety, it just doesn't seem like teaching children about animals being happy in zoos is a good idea. Overall the story was cute and you felt worried when he gets bitten and happy when he makes friends. It has a good message about how being different can be a good thing and I always love when there is a Q&A section in the back to answer the more scientific questions.