The Crocodile and the Scorpion
on Goodreads (173)
What’s inside...
Based on the classic fable, a crocodile and a scorpion attempt to cross a river without giving in to their natural instincts. Living by a brilliant blue river, the not-so-bright crocodile and an equally pea-brained scorpion realize they need each other's help to get across the river. They must control their instincts to avoid stinging and biting, and make it across together. This new twist on the classic tale is brought to life with bold and colorful artwork by Rebecca and Ed Emberley.
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the Crocodile didn't trust the Scorpion, even though they were friends?
How did the Crocodile feel when the Scorpion stung him? How would you feel in his place?
What lesson did the Scorpion learn by the end of the story?
Can you think of a time when you had to make a hard choice, like the Crocodile did?
What could the Scorpion have done differently to show he was a good friend?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive voices for each character to bring the story to life and make the reading session more engaging.
Pause after key events to ask your child how they think a character is feeling, encouraging them to empathize with the characters.
After reading, relate the story's moral to real-life situations your child might encounter, reinforcing the message.
Encourage your child to draw a picture of their favorite scene, which can serve as a starting point for discussing the story's themes.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next at several points during the story to keep them thinking critically about the plot and characters.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of caution and awareness
Explanation: The story demonstrates this lesson through the interactions between the crocodile and the scorpion, where trust and caution are central themes.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be cautious and aware of their surroundings, especially in new or unfamiliar situations.
Example Lesson: The consequences of betrayal
Explanation: The scorpion's betrayal of the crocodile in the story highlights the negative outcomes of deceitful behavior.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of honesty and the impact that betrayal can have on relationships.
Example Lesson: Understanding inherent nature
Explanation: The tale illustrates that sometimes, the nature of a being cannot be changed, as shown by the scorpion's actions despite the crocodile's help.
Real-World Application: Children can learn that while it's important to hope for the best in others, it's also crucial to recognize and understand their fundamental traits.
Example Lesson: The value of critical thinking
Explanation: The book encourages readers to think critically about the characters' decisions and motivations.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children develop their decision-making skills by evaluating situations and considering possible outcomes before acting.
Example Lesson: Impact of cooperation versus conflict
Explanation: Through the narrative, the book contrasts the outcomes of cooperative behavior with those arising from conflict, showing how cooperation could have led to a better outcome.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this understanding by choosing to work together and resolve conflicts through discussion and mutual respect in their daily interactions.