I, Crocodile
Ah, the contented life of a Nile crocodile, direct descendant  of the ancient Pharaoh-worshiped Egyptian crocs. Delectable fish for dinner, exquisite pink flamingo for dessert. Life is good... until Napoleon shows up, that is. This greedy emperor wants one of everything in sight--mummies, obelisks, and yes, a crocodile for a Parisian fountain display. The nerve. But, well, life isn't all bad in Paris. Soon our hero is the "Toast of the Tuileries! The Darling of the Empire!" Life is good again... until that fickle emperor gets a  hankering for Crocodile pie with Egyptian onions. It's time for this  rascally reptile to make a quick getaway.Inspired by an obscure 19th-century French satire,I, Crocodileis Fred Marcellino's first hilarious effort at both writing and illustrating a picture book. His previous illustrations for children's books, includingPuss in Boots, have garnered numerous awards, among them the Caldecott Honor and an ALA Notable Children's Book award. Marcellino's witty  pictures and text, portraying Napoleon as a prima donna potentate and  the crocodile as a not-so-innocent victim, have a sly sense of humor  that will keep historians and young readers rolling in the aisles.  (Ages 4 to 8)--Emilie Coulter--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.