Books › Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
First published 1990 · 56 pages
A warm, nostalgic romp about finding your place in the world, even if you happen to be a reptile in a bathtub.
What it feels like
Reading this classic picture book feels like stepping into a sunlit, bustling mid-century city where the extraordinary is treated with delightful domesticity. The narrative moves at a brisk, cheerful clip, carrying readers through a gentle emotional arc of misunderstanding, brief exile, and ultimate redemption. The prose is earnest and rhythmic, designed perfectly for the cadence of a read-aloud session on a cozy afternoon. The atmosphere is steeped in warmth and nostalgic urban charm, capturing the innocent joy of an unusual friend trying his best to fit into a human world. It is a deeply comforting experience that will delight young readers discovering the magic of everyday absurdity, as well as adults seeking a tender story about kindness, community, and belonging.
- Mood
- cozy
- cheerful
- nostalgic
- warm
- Tone
- playful
- earnest
- gentle
- humorous
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- belonging · overcoming prejudice · urban community · found family · kindness
- The writing
- Simple, expressive, and gently rhythmic, perfectly paired with lively illustrations to carry a read-aloud cadence.
- The arc
- From cheerful domesticity to sudden displacement and sadness, culminating in a triumphant, heartwarming return to belonging.
- Who it's for
- Young children and nostalgic adults who appreciate gentle, character-driven stories about unusual friends in everyday settings.
Content notes
- animal captivity
- house fire
About the book
Lyle, Lyle Crocodile is a children's book written by Bernard Waber first published in 1965. It is the sequel to The House on East 88th Street, published in 1962.
The book is the second in the Lyle the Crocodile series. The fictional series follows the life of Lyle, a city-dwelling crocodile who lives in a Victorian brownstone with a family named the Primms.
The story begins with Lyle and Mrs. Primm going shopping and running into their neighbor, Mr. Grumps. The grouchy Mr. Grumps finds Lyle a nuisance because Lyle scares his cat, Loretta, and he has him thrown in the zoo. When Lyle is freed by his old performing partner Mr. Valenti, they go back to the house on 88th Street, where they find Mr. Grumps' house on fire. Lyle rescues Mr. Grumps, is declared a hero, and thus is allowed to stay with the Primms.
Description from Open Library.
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