Customer Reviews

Crictor (Reading Rainbow Books)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Oh, I LOVE this book! It is from the 50's, and SO well written! Instead of dumbing children down, it uses words that are more sophisticated. The story is hilarious! It uses pen and ink type drawings, which brought back so many pleasant memories! As a child, I didn't remember the story too well, but the pictures stayed in my mind, particularly the one of Crictor in what looks like a 10-foot long bed and wearing a 10-foot long armless sweater!!

This elderly lady receives a gift of a snake from her son in Africa. She is a teacher and brings Crictor to school, where he becomes a jump rope and slide for the kids. He also forms letters and numbers. He captures a burglar and the locals name a park after him!

One of my favorite books of all time!

This was one of my favorite books growing up--I must have checked it out of the school library a dozen times. It's the adorable story of an old French woman who relies on a friendly boa to see her around Paris. Not only does it teach children not to judge other people -- or reptiles -- but the charming illustrations offer fun glimpses into the city of Paris. If you loved Madeline, you'll love this book. Buy one copy for your kids and one for yourself!

As a kindergarten teacher, I just love to read this book to my students.

As a lifelong reader and lover of books, I just love this book. Reading it brings back my childhood. The illustrations are just beautiful and the story is pure fun.

I am so happy to see that books like these are still out and avaiable to purchase. We need books like these for the next generation.

19 years after I first read Crictor, I still remember nearly every word. It was quite possibly one of my favorite books as a child because it is sweet, funny, and heartfelt. Crictor is a boa constrictor that Mdm. Bodot's son has sent home from Africa. He bonds with Mdm. Bodot after an initial fright and quickly endears himself to everyone. Soon, he is given an opportunity to foil a burglar who threatens Mdm. Bodot and is revered as a hero. I read this book over and over again until it was in tatters. What child doesn't love a friendly protecting character like Crictor? Pair it with Lyle, Lyle Crocodile for a double-dose of green reptilian fun.

This is a cute book and one recommended by the Sonlight homeschooling curriculum. I don't like the picture of the burglar very much and although the rest of the story is very cute, I don't think I'll be buying my own copy. We checked this one out from the library. My son is 2 and he did enjoy the story, but he was confused by the burglar and wondered why Madame Bodot was tied to the chair. He wasn't scared because he doesn't know about burglars and I'd rather he not worry about that kind of thing. He thought that the gun the policeman had was a flashlight. It was very good for pointing out the color green though and the drawings are nice. If your child has already been exposed to violence either on TV, cartoons, or movies, then it probably won't be that scary, but to others I think it would be. I didn't read this one as a child, but if I had I think it would have frightened me. I like the idea of pointing out Africa and France on a map. I'm sure we'll read this story a few more times before we return it and I'll bring out the map.

Do you ever like a book 'just because'? I can't make a comment on the witty prose or beautiful artwork to back up my heartfelt, "I like it" but I will try. It is an endearing tale about a snake. The storyline is nonsensical and fun--totally entertaining. The pen and ink drawings with lots of green coloring like the beloved title character are a perfect compliment to the story.

If you want to go educational get out the maps and locate the 2 places that are mentioned in the story -- France & Africa. A sense of right & wrong alongside good character always strikes a chord with parents so Crictor is right on there. Whether an adult is reading aloud or an elementary student is reading independently, this book is sure to please.

All things considered, I just like it. :-)

I have been reading this book to my granddaughter for over 10 years now (she is 11). It is her favorite story to share with me,and even though she is getting older, it is our ritual when she spends the night for me to read it to her. We BOTH love it and I highly recommend it!

I was hooked when I saw the creative ways the author uses Crictor to demonstrate the alphabet and numbers. The storyline is a little jerky i.e. the part where he saves Madame. It seems disjointed from how the rest of the book was going. Made a bendable snake out of wire and material to use while telling the story and it was a hit!

I bought this book after watching a TV program about Tomi Ungerer. I was so thrilled about the man and his drawing skills, that I instantly orderet three of his books. One thing is that it was interesting for me, but I have read, or rather told, the story to my grandchild. He does not understand English, so I had to tell it in my own words, and he really enjoyed the pictures and the story.

I came across this book years ago in a bookstore in the foreign language section of children's books. (It was in German and I was studying German.) I have since bought countless copies whenever and wherever I came across them to give to friends' children. I'm now grandmother-aged, but it's still one of my favorite books (in either language). The illustrations are so clever and the story is sweet.
Note: I can't recall which language has which, but the drawing of an octopus in one of the books has only 7 tentacles, whereas the drawing in the other book has 8 tentacles.

This is a must for children from 3 to 93. If there were 10 stars, I would give it 10.