The Selfish Crocodile Anniversary Edition
The Selfish Crocodile Series
What’s inside...
Every morning a very large and very snappy crocodile shouts this selfish message: 'Stay away from my river! It's MY river! If you come in my river, I'll eat you all!' The animals in the forest don't know what to do. They are frightened of the crocodile. Even the fish, tadpoles, frogs, crabs and crayfish stay out of the water. Until one day the creatures are woken by a loud groaning sound which turns out to be the selfish crocodile in a lot of pain, and the smallest of them all, a little mouse, finds a way to solve their snappy dilemma! Celebrate 20 years of the classic The Selfish Crocodile with this anniversary edition! Astoundingly bright, bold illustrations bring to life all the wonderful creatures of the forest in a rainbow of colours.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the crocodile was selfish at first, and what changed his mind about sharing?
How did the other animals feel when the crocodile was being selfish? Can you describe their emotions?
What would you have done if you were one of the animals in the story?
How did the actions of one brave animal make a difference in the story?
What does this story teach us about the importance of friendship and helping others?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the discussion by sharing your own thoughts on the book’s themes, such as kindness and cooperation, to create an open, receptive environment for your child to express their views.
Encourage your child to relate the story to their own experiences, whether it’s a time when they shared something important or needed help from someone.
Ask your child how they would feel in the situations described in the book. This helps develop empathy and deeper understanding of the characters’ emotions.
Praise your child for thoughtful answers and for thinking critically about the story. This reinforces positive engagement and makes the learning experience enjoyable.
Discuss the illustrations and ask what they add to the story. This helps your child understand how both text and pictures contribute to storytelling.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and kindness
Explanation: In 'The Selfish Crocodile', the initially feared and selfish crocodile changes after other creatures help him with his toothache. This act of kindness transforms him and he learns the importance of helping others.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by helping their peers, sharing their toys, and inclusively playing with others regardless of first impressions.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The jungle animals come together to aid the crocodile despite his previous behavior. This highlights the power and success that can be achieved through cooperation and teamwork.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to work together in group activities at school or in sports, understanding that collective effort often leads to achieving common goals.
Example Lesson: Compassion for others
Explanation: When the animals help the crocodile despite his unfriendly nature, it shows that understanding and aiding others in pain can lead to positive changes.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to show concern when someone is unwell or upset, and understand that their compassionate actions can have a positive impact.
Example Lesson: The consequences of selfishness
Explanation: The crocodile’s initial selfishness leads to loneliness and suffering. This demonstrates that selfish behavior can lead to negative consequences and isolation.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the importance of considering others' feelings and the impact of their actions on their relationships and social standing.
Example Lesson: Change is possible
Explanation: The story conveys that people can change for the better, as seen with the crocodile’s transformation after experiencing kindness from others.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to believe that people can improve and change, promoting an optimistic view on personal development and growth.