Once upon a time a little boy met an alligator in the forest. The alligator was lonely and hungry, so the boy after overcoming his fear, was ready to befriend the animal and welcome it in his hometown. But the mayor thought otherwise...

This beautifully illustrated book is about acceptance, it's about learning to get over our prejudices and see the good in each other. As such, this story clearly deserves our praise. However, it goes too far. The main antagonist in the book is the mayor, who issues a nonsensical proclamation that alligators are not welcome in his town. He speaks up many times throughout story against the newcomer - well, if we can actually call "bla bla bla" speaking up. SPOILER In the end, this man disappears and there is a great chance that he was eaten by our friend, the harmless alligator - and no one seems to mind. SPOILER END

The ending seems to suggest that that only way we can create a tolerant society is by violently removing those who are prejudiced. I find that violence as a way to solve problems (no matter how noble the underlying cause) is not a message I want to have in a children's book.

However, Andrea Stegmaier's illustrations are very pretty, so it's a real pleasure to just flip through the pages and admire the drawings.

* I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review. *

This story reminds me of the dragon film where a kid befriends a dragon and works hard to make the whole accept him and stop them from trying to kill him. It's the same but with an alligator. and it was fun and sweet.


I thank Netgalley and Kids Can Press for the digital ARC.

"AAAligator" by Judith Henderson is a new children's book from Judith Henderson. It follows the story of a young boy who befriends an Alligator. This unlikely friendship is forged and the pair end up finding out that things aren't always what they seem when it comes what we "think" we know. The boy and everyone else in the town starts off afraid of the alligator, but they come to realize that different doesn't equal bad!

This story is a cute way to teach children about what it means to be openminded and kind. The boy and the alligator enjoy a lot of the same activities like listening to music, reading and riding scooters! Children can read this book and learn that although people are different, everyone should be given a chance! Our family enjoyed this book as it celebrates kindness and compassion for others!

Have you ever befriended someone who is different? No?
Why not? Are you afraid? Well, you shouldn't be.

We have a boy right here who befriended an alligator.🐊

Alligator?😱

Well, don't be afraid, this alligator does not bite, and is surely happy with just eating your leftover food.

Being different does not mean being bad. Being different does not mean trouble. And being different surely does not mean no-friendship.

Differences and diversity are something that a child needs to believe in, and AAAlligator teaches them just that. AAAlligator makes you understand concepts like co-existence.

AAAlligator is a book that will make a child believe in innocence and kindness. It will make him understand how useless pre-conceived notions are.

This picture book can take a child to a place full of nature's footprints. The illustrations are vivid and minute. The book is not text-heavy, which makes it an easy read for children.

It is a recommendable read for a child because it introduces the child to a world where people are helpful and caring, without being selfish.

AAAlligator makes you realise that a friend can be found in anyone, if only you have the courage to believe.

But what will happen when a rigid mayor finds out about the alligator. Will the boy have to let go of his new buddy? But how can he?😭
Doesn't the mayor understand that the alligator is lonely? Why can't he be more accepting?
Will the alligator have to leave? Or will he hide?

Find out the details in October. Till then try to befriend that one different person whom you ignored just because of....well, for no obvious reason.

A wonderful story of acceptance and not judging a book by its cover. The illustrations were beautiful and really added to the story. The story itself was educational and very humorous. I think this is a great story to open up difficult conversations with kids about bullying, stereotypes, and prejudices.

Everything about AAAlligator! is fun. It's silly without crossing over into the terrible sense of humor writing people fall into when telling stories to kids. I read it out loud, acting out the characters as I went, and was having a splendid time of it. My audience was youtube and phone addicted children and this got them to stop everything electronic and become captivated over something positive for once. The pictures were also really well done. The style fit the story perfectly and there's a lot of little subtle humorous things hiding throughout.

The story is about a boy who goes into the woods and meets an Alligator. At first he feeds the Alligator and then sings it a lullaby but the next day it shows up at his house. They become friends, much to the townspeople's discomfort. Then they realize the Alligator is not that bad and want to give him all of their leftovers. As long as he eats those, he wont eat people, you see. The Mayor, however, does not like this. The Alligator has to hide while everyone bands together to try to come up with a solution. Eventually, they disguise the Alligator as a whale because why not. And it works!

I loved this so much. This is the type of book that Youth Service Librarians and Teachers would read to children. It's funny, captivating, and has a charming quality to it overall.

Adorable illustrations partnered with an engaging story. I read it myself and then read it to my two-year-old nephew who adored the book!

A boy comes across a lonely, hungry alligator in the woods and tries to satiate his hunger and befriend him. The townspeople are fearful and unhappy at first, but almost everyone is able to come to a happy compromise to coexist in the end; everyone but the mayor that is!

The best thing about this book is the artwork. It’s pretty with a pleasing colour palette. The story, though, lets it down. It’s not compelling, the tone is inconsistent and it’s too wordy.

I loved this one! 'AAAligator!' made me laugh out loud and tear up. It is a story about an alligator who befriends a boy and a town of people. The humor is great for adults and kids and it is also heartwarming how the townspeople come together to help the alligator. I highly recommend this sweet story!

Thank you NetGalley and Kids Can Press for providing this ARC.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity.
I enjoyed the book, mostly the illustration. The story was cute and had a number of messages for children (and also adults)
Acceptance, friendship, making the right decision even if nobody supports you, preventing waste, caring for animals and etc.

This is a very sweet book about a boy who befriends an alligator. The mayor does not want the alligator around town but the people don't want him to be hungry or lonely so they visit him and feed him in secret. I like the message of caring for others and doing what you feel is right, even if not everyone feels the same way.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Aaalligator is absolutely precious. I loved the story and the characters! The overall message was perfect and I enjoyed reading this! The art is so well done and would make a great book for any kid to read!

What a cute story about acceptance. I really enjoyed this book and thought the pictures were great and can see children would be drawn to it.

This book was actually pretty cute. The illustrations were awesome IMO. They reminded me of more classic children books like Strega Nona. The story was simple and easy to follow. The little boy in the story was very clever and actively worked to solve the multiple problems that arose, like finding a hungry alligator, how to set it free, making sure he wasnt lonely and hiding him from the not so nice mayor. Overall just a really cute read.

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

This book is super cute and educational for children! Even at 22 years old I enjoyed reading it right before bed. I would love to read this to a classroom of kids. Definitely keep up the good work!

This cute children’s book is about a young boy who befriends an alligator who loves to eat leftovers. I love illustrations in this book. My young daughter giggled throughout the entire story. Maybe alligators aren’t so bad after all. This book is the perfect read aloud to teach children theme and character traits.

A wonderful children's story teaching kindness and courage, told in a fresh way!

This is one of those stories that adults may find strange or boring but children will absolutely LOVE. The nice thing for parents is that it teaches gifting and compassion and creativity and standing up for what is right and acceptance of the marginalized and on and on....all without the child ever knowing they are learning so much!

Absolutely brilliant. And the artwork too is perfect -- again, a parent may find it not to their liking, but it is made for the child, and the child will love it!

Solid recommendation to buy. Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for an advanced reader copy for review. Honest opinion given.

5 stars.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this title.

I will start by saying I absolutely LOVE the illustrations and I would have picked this one up immediately if I had seen it on a shelf at a bookstore!

The story itself was very good too. I really look forward to reading this one with my kids - I think they will love it and it is one we will most likely add to our home library!

This is the story of how a boy befriended an alligator. I really love how the story teaches children to be accepting of people different from themselves.

Thank you NetGalley!

My four year old LOVES this book!
It was cute and has a good message for the little ones. I would definitely purchase this for her library!