Beware of the crocodile by Martin Jenkins, illustrated by Satoshi Kitamura

You never know quite what you're going to get with Martin Jenkins' nature picture books. Some of them have an interesting mix of science concepts and animals, and most have different illustrations which makes each book unique.

This title is paired with British-Japanese author and illustrator Satoshi Kitamura, whom most Americans probably won't be familiar with, but who I know as the author and illustrator of comics about funny cat Boots. So how does this comic artist work as an illustrator of a nonfiction book about crocodiles? Quite well as it turns out.

Jenkins' prose adds a bit of humor as he describes the habits of the crocodile and Kitamura decorates the pages with gentle colors and big brownish-gray crocodiles, grabbing prey, caring for their babies, and floating through their watery world. The text glosses over the actual killing of prey, "What happens next is rather gruesome. In fact it's so gruesome that we should skip the details." This is really an introduction to crocodiles, focusing first on their hunting habits and then on their nesting and care for their babies. It ends with a lengthier author's note with more information about crocodiles, a brief index, and two websites for more information.

This is a good starting book for readers checking out their first reference materials, learning how to use an index, or learning some basic crocodilian information to urge them into more research.

Verdict: I'm looking for more books on reptiles and amphibians and this is a nice addition to Jenkins' work as well as a fun book on a favorite animals. A good choice for animal sections in your picture book collections.

ISBN: 9780763675387; Published March 2019 by Candlewick; Borrowed from another library in my consortium