The Monkey and the Crocodile: A Jataka Tale from India (Paperback)

~ Paul Galdone (Author) "Beside a river in the jungle stood a tall mango tree..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A humorous retelling of a Jataka tale from India, featuring the artist's characteristic vivid hues and expressive figures. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"This offers delightful viewing, and is an excellent choice for storytelling purposes." -- Review

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (September 21, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0899195245
• ISBN-13: 978-0899195247
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #175,172 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Jataka tale rewritten for children, June 4, 2000

By A Customer

Jataka tales are similar but not identical in structure to the animal fables of the West. One difference is that the characters are less "black and white" - the crocodile is clever, the monkey is cleverer. Neither is foolish.

Jataka tales are stories of previous births of the Buddha i.e. similar to the more complex avadanas that are translated from the Sanskrit or Tibetan traditions. While the children's books of them are fun and well worth reading, at some point reading a more comprehensive selection should be on the agenda. This book is just a fun introduction for a young child.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I like this book pretty much., August 3, 1997

By A Customer

It's about a monkey who tries to get away from a very hungry crocodile and the monkey who lives in a mango tree. Read it! Christian, 8 years old

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The clever monkey, March 13, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Monkey and the Crocodile (School & Library Binding)

Title: The Monkey and the Crocodile
Author: Paul Galdone
Favorite Characters: the Crocodiles

This story shows which is smarter of the two, the Monkey or the Crocodile. One of the crocodiles decided that he wanted to eat a monkey. The other crocodiles said that it could not be done, but the crocodile would not listen to them. The crocodile choose one of the monkeys and trick him into coming into the water. It worked, but the monkey tricked him back and got safely to shore. The story goes on like this with the crocodile luring the monkey into a trap and the monkey getting out safely.
Near the end, the monkey gets trapped on an island because the crocodile is in the way of the path. You'll never guess how the monkey solves his problem. Figure it out by reading this book...