CROCODILE AND HEN

Crocodile thinks Hen would make a mighty tasty chicken dinner, until Hen stops him with his jaws agape with a simple, powerful statement: “My brother, don’t eat me.” Hen confidently turns her back on danger and walks away, leaving Crocodile mystified as to how he can be her brother since they are so different. The patterned story continues with Crocodile longing to devour Hen, and Hen repeating her calm mantra. Crocodile enumerates the differences between the two species, questions other animals about the supposed familial connection, and finally receives an answer from his friend Lizard, who points out that all animals who lay eggs are related, and thus brothers and sisters in a way. Lexau based this skillfully told, mid-level easy reader on a Bakongo folktale from the Republic of the Congo, and this version is a newly illustrated and revised version of her story, originally published in 1969. Cushman (What Moms Can’t Do, 2000, etc.) adds to the humor of the tale with his expressive animal characters in pen and ink with a watercolor wash. Beginning readers will eat up this simple but satisfying story with a clever moral, a bit of science, and one hilarious slip from the hungry crocodile: “How good to eat you. Oops, I mean meet you again, Sister.” Thoughtful teachers and parents might use this book to spark a discussion of tolerance and harmony among diverse groups or even to introduce the principles of nonviolent resistance and worldwide brother- and sisterhood. (author’s note) (Easy reader/folktale. 5-8)