Akimbo and the Crocodile Man [Hardcover]

Alexander McCall Smith (Author), LeUyen Pham (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: Akimbo

When a visiting croc expert invites Akimbo along on a field study, Akimbo is thrilled. But when the crocodiles attack the guide, injuring him gravely, it will be up to Akimbo to cross a crocodile-infested river and jump start a truck to bring back help. A rousing new Akimbo adventure from bestselling author Alexander McCall Smith. Ages 7 to 9.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for the Akimbo series:
 
"Akimbo is a very brave little boy who keeps his wits about him even when he's being stalked by a rhino." --New York Times Book Review
 
"Satisfying page-turners that celebrate kids' curiosity, love of adventure, and capacity to care for the world they inhabit." --Parenting magazine
 
"The tale's brevity, Smith's concise writing and Pham's evocative full-page half-tone illustrations make this an attractive choice for reluctant readers." --Publishers Weekly
 
"A straightforward plot, spare storytelling and avuncular tone create a contemporary chapter book with an old-fashioned feel." --Kirkus Reviews

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Alexander McCall Smith has written more than 50 books, including the bestselling No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency mysteries and The Sunday Philosophy Club. He has also written the previous two books in the Akimbo series. A professor of medical law at Edinburgh University, he was born in what is now Zimbabwe.

LeUyen Pham has illustrated numerous award-winning books for children, including Big Sister, Little Sister; Sing-Along Song; and Piggies in a Polka. She lives in San Francisco, California.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 80 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens (April 4, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582346925
• ISBN-13: 978-1582346922
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #386,972 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #33 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Animals > Alligators & Crocodiles
  • #36 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Animals > Reptiles & Amphibians > Fiction
  • #68 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Alligators & Crocodiles

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Akimbo The Innovator, June 19, 2006

By 

Jon Linden (Warren, N.J. United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Akimbo and the Crocodile Man (Hardcover)

In this Akimbo book, Smith brings us an Akimbo wizened by age and adventure. Here Akimbo wishes to accompany the crocodile man who is tagging baby crocodiles in order to study survival rate in that part of the jungle. Most baby crocodiles become meals for other larger animals, and there was an interest to observe the number that survived to adulthood.

On the journey, the Crocodile Man, John, actually does get attacked by a crocodile and his leg is hurt. Akimbo has to figure out a way to get his friend to hospital soon or he will bleed to death. This is where Akimbo applies his innovative talent. Perhaps Smith goes a bit further than can be expected, but Akimbo is an extraordinary boy.

As always, Akimbo works for that which is right in human society. It is right to help a friend if they are hurt. It may even be a cause to break rules especially if it will save a life and not endanger any other life. This is the crux of Smith's message. Akimbo follows his instincts about what is right and wrong and uses his imagination and creativity and finds the needed solutions to his dilemmas.

The book is recommended highly for children age 5 through 10. It can easily by read to younger children by parents as well. The book is a wonderful story of another adventure in the life of Akimbo in the African forest.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars "The Courage of Akimbo", January 13, 2010

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Akimbo and the Crocodile Man (Paperback)

Akimbo is a boy who lives in the African bush country with his Mother and Father. One day a man named John (a zoologist) comes to study crocodiles in the river with Akimbo at his side. John is trying to figure out how many baby crocodiles survive in one year's time, but during the expedition a crocodile bites his leg! Will Akimbo be able to save his friend?

I think the author did a good job of describing Akimbo and Africa, so I could imagine what it was like. I recommend this book for kids because of the courage Akimbo showed.

by: Grayson, age 9

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars We Will Get More Akimbo Books, November 26, 2008

By 

SS "NoVA Mama" (Ashburn, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Akimbo and the Crocodile Man (Paperback)

Usually when I read to my 6-, 4-, and 3-year-olds, I find myself saying "be quiet" over and over again. But my threesome has been captivated as I read Akimbo to them over the past several days. It has a good mixture of fantasy (with a young boy hot-wiring a truck) and reality (John's crocodile bites) without being too graphic. I did not feel the need to censor myself as I was reading. We like the pictures, too. My son (the 6-year old) wants us to read Akimbo and the Lions next.