Cora desperately wishes for things to be different and to have just a little time to herself. Maybe even a pet, like a dog. But when she asks her parents they say no. So she asks her fairy godmother. But something gets a little confused and instead of a lovely, fluffy dog for a friend, Cora gets a....crocodile.
However, she's willing to compromise and the crocodile is certainly willing to help Cora to one day of her own. So as Cora experiences her first day of freedom, playing in the orchards and running through the fields, the crocodile takes her place and teachers her nurse and parents some very...sharp lessons. When Cora returns after her day of adventure, things will never be the same!
I can see this being promoted as a read-alike for the Princess in Black series, but it's a completely different animal. It reminded me most strongly of E. Nesbit and Eleanor Farjeon's short stories. Floca's delicate watercolors have a gently humorous and old-fashioned look, showing Cora's simple pleasure in her day out and her parents' shock and bewilderment at meeting the naughty crocodile. It's also much lengthier; it would work as a read-aloud for patient listeners or a short read for intermediate to older readers, since the vocabulary is more complex than a regular beginning chapter book.
Verdict: Delightful and different, this will appeal to parents and children who like a gentle style of humor, light fantasy, and excellent writing. Readers like me, who have a certain amount of nostalgia for old-fashioned fantasy will find this a perfectly cozy evening read as well. I have a strong audience for more classic fiction in my library, so this is a perfect title to promote for the summer.
ISBN: 9780763648220; Published 2017 by Candlewick; Review copy provided by the publisher; Donated to the library
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